If you’re a Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) holder, staying compliant with your medical certification is essential to keeping your commercial driving privileges. Big changes are coming from the FMCSA, and here’s what you need to know—and how DMV Slots can help you book faster DMV appointments when needed.
🗓️ Key Updates – Effective June 23, 2025:
- Medical Certificates must now be submitted electronically by your Certified Medical Examiner (ME) to the National Registry.
- Your exam results will be transmitted to State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) like Texas DPS automatically—no more paper submissions after this date.
- Texas starts accepting both paper & electronic submissions from March 23, 2025, but after June 23, 2025, only electronic submissions will be accepted.
💡 Reminder: Medical certificates must be valid at all times. Letting yours expire can result in your CDL being downgraded, and you’ll have to retake all exams to get it back.
📄 Self-Certification Categories for CDL Holders:
You must certify what type of commercial driving you do. Based on this, you may or may not need a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate on file:
| Category | Form | Medical Certificate Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Non-Excepted Interstate | CDL-4 | YES | Most interstate drivers fall here. |
| 2. Excepted Interstate | CDL-10 | NO | Restricted to specific excepted activities. |
| 3. Non-Excepted Intrastate | CDL-5B | YES | In-state only, must meet Texas standards. |
| 4. Excepted Intrastate (A/C) | CDL-5A/C | NO | Must meet TX standards, but no certificate needed. |
🛑 Avoid CDL Downgrade!
If your medical certificate expires:
- Your CDL will be downgraded, and you’ll lose commercial driving privileges.
- To upgrade back, you must:
- Have a valid license (not expired more than 2 years).
- Have been downgraded within 12 months.
- Provide a valid medical certificate or certify to an excepted category.
- Pay applicable fees.
📨 How to Submit Medical Certificates (Until June 23, 2025):
- Email (PDF only): CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov
- Fax: 512-424-2002
- Mail:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Issuance Service, Attn: CDL Section
P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0320
Check your status: Use Texas License Eligibility portal (allow 10 business days).
🔄 Changing Your Certification Category?
You must visit a local driver license office.
Example: Moving from Intrastate (CDL-5B) to Interstate (CDL-4) requires a new medical certificate and category update.
⏳ Need a CDL Appointment? DMV Slots Helps You Get It Faster!
Staying compliant means acting fast—but DMV appointments are often booked out. DMV Slots offers:
- Instant alerts for earlier DMV appointments.
- Available in Texas, New York, and North Carolina.
- One-time payment, no subscriptions.
Join 10,000+ drivers who’ve saved time and stayed on the road.
👉 Visit www.dmvslots.com/tx today and keep your CDL valid without the wait!