New Medical Certification Requirements - A Guide for CDL Holders Frequently Asked Questions
Main_Content
The Medical Examiner's Certificate must be completed by the doctor/examiner and signed. Be sure to send both sides of the Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT card) and any accompanying waiver/exception or Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE). Please submit your Med Cert by using one of the following options.
Based on a new federal law, CDL holders will need to provide the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) with a self-certification status relating to the type of commerce they engage in, and if required, updated Medical Certification (Med Cert) documentation for the duration of their CDL, even if the license is not due to expire. If MVA requests updated Med Cert documentation and it is not submitted within the time specified, your entire commercial and noncommercial driver's privilege/license will be cancelled unless you have downgraded your CDL to a noncommercial license.
Med Cert (Medical Certification) documentation is proof that you are medically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle. Med Cert documentation always includes a valid, unexpired Medical Examiner's Certificate/DOT Physical Card, and if applicable, a federal Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE) or a federal or 
Maryland Waiver/Exemption, form DL-171.
If you are a CDL holder and the MVA requests proof of your valid Med Cert, you must provide it by the deadline indicated on the request. If you do not have the documentation or fail to provide copies to the MVA, you should immediately visit an MVA office to downgrade to a noncommercial license or your entire commercial and non commercial driving privilege/license will be cancelled.
Maryland CDL holders must designate the type of driving you are qualified to do. For instance, if you have a medical condition which requires an Intrastate Waiver, you need to certify that you will only be driving within the State of Maryland. If you have a CDL and a Med Cert without limitations, you would certify that you are physically qualified to drive Interstate (in any state). CDL holders are no longer required to submit a self-certification form when updating their medical certification. The self-certification will only be required when a customer is obtaining a new CDL’s, transferring a CDL, renewing a CDL, upgrading a license to a CDL, or changing their status from intrastate to interstate or vice versa. If a waiver/exemption is needed, it should be submitted along with the medical certification card.
Please click on the following link for a description of the self certification types.
You are responsible for ensuring you are physically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. If your medical status changes, you should be reexamined by a physician to determine if it is still safe for you to drive. If any new limitations of driving result, you must visit an MVA office to update your driving certification and obtain a corrected CDL if permitted.
All CDL holders are responsible for ensuring they meet federal and State medical certification requirements to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Documentation of your certification must be submitted to the MVA. If you receive a correspondence from the MVA requesting your valid Med Cert, you must respond to prevent your entire commercial driver's privilege/license from being downgraded.
A unaltered copy is acceptable, but it must be completed in its entirety. Medical Certification deemed illegible, incomplete or altered will not be acceptable.
Yes, you must carry proof of your valid Med Cert documentation with you at all times.
It is illegal to drive a commercial motor vehicle in Maryland without proof that you are medically qualified. If you are no longer medically qualified to drive or if you elect not to be examined to determine if you are medically qualified, you must visit an MVA office immediately and downgrade your license to a noncommercial license. If the MVA contacts you for updated Med Cert documentation and you fail to comply by the specified deadline, your entire commercial and noncommercial driver's privilege/license will be cancelled unless you have downgraded your CDL to a noncommercial license.
Yes, if you voluntarily downgrade to a noncommercial license, you may reapply for another CDL within 1 year, if you provide proof of medical qualifications/valid Med Cert documentation. If your license is cancelled for one (1) year or more or was downgraded for one (1) year or more, you may reapply for a license by taking all required knowledge and skills tests and providing documented proof of your valid Med Cert. Documented proof of age and identity, lawful status, SSN and Maryland residency is also required if you have been without a MD license for 1 year or more (or if you are returning to MD from another jurisdiction).
All Maryland license holders must provide the MVA with their current address. If you are a CDL holder and change your address, you must visit an MVA office immediately to change your address to avoid missing your Med Cert request letter. Failure to keep MVA updated with your current address information may result in cancellation of your entire commercial and noncommercial driving privilege/license. You are required to obtain a corrected CDL within 30 days when an address or name change is made.
For additional information, please contact 1-410-768-7000.
