Med Certifications and the DMV

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As of January 30, 2014:
All commercial drivers of vehicles in interstate commerce with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds are required to obtain and maintain a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (ME Certificate).

Commercial drivers who drive vehicles requiring a CDL have two additional requirements:

  • All CDL holders and all CDL applicants must self-certify the type of driving they are engaged in 
  • Drivers that cerify to "non-excepted interstate" driving must give the state DOT a copy of their medical examiner's certificate and must keep it current.

All CDL holders must declare to their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) that they only operate or expect to operate commercially in one of four possible categories with their CDL. This process is called self-certification. For more information on the self-certification categories see the new regulations.

WHEN DO I NEED TO COMPLY?
All commercial drivers are required to comply. Anyone who is renewing or obtaining a new medical examiner's certificate must be examined by a medical professional listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Medical certificates issues must include the medical examiner's national registry number. Medical certificates issued prior to this date are still valid until their expiration date.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T COMPLY?
CDL drivers who do not update the expiration date of their medical examiner's certificate with their state will have their commercial driving privileges downgraded and will not be eligible to drive a commercial motor vehicle that requires a CDL.

FOR DRIVERS:
If you are subject to the USDOT medical examiner certification requirement, provide a copy of each new USDOT medical examiner certificate to our state driver licensing agency. The medical examiner certificate is often referred to as your "medical card." It will be the responsibility of the ddriver to keep the medical card current. Loss of the CDL privilege will result from noncompliance. Follow-up renewals of the medical cards may be submitted to the state DOT by several means. See the list for each state's options.

IOWA

MAIL
Iowa Department of Transportation
Office of Driver Services
P.O. Box 9204
Des Moines, IA 50306

FAX
515.239.1837

EMAIL
CDLMedCert@iowadot.us (PDF format)

IN PERSON
At any Iowa DL station or participating treasurer's offices

NEBRASKA

MAIL
Driver Licensing Services
P.O. Box 94726
Lincoln, NE 68509

FAX
402.471.3157

EMAIL
dmv.exam-medcert@nebraska.gov

IN PERSON
At any local DMV office
(DMV questions: 402.471.3861)

SOUTH DAKOTA

MAIL
SDL Driver Licensing Program
118 W. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

FAX
605.773.3018

EMAIL
DPSCDLMedCert@state.sd.us
(DMV questions: 800.952.3696)

Brady Jones