CDL Medical Certification

Commercial Driver License Medical Certification Requirements

Due to the global health crisis and recommendation for social distancing, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has made changes to driver license and medical examiner’s certificates (MEC) expirations. The Governor issued an Executive Directive allowing us to extend credentials to honor any Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) waiver.

  • For noncommercial driver licenses with April, May, and June expiration dates, the expiration dates are extended for an additional 90 days.
  • Commercial driver licenses (CDL), commercial learner permits(CLP), and MEC expiration dates are extended according to the July 1, 2020 FMCSA Waiver. In general, this extends the expiration dates of CDLs, CLPs, and MECs to September 30, 2020.
    • BE AWARE: See the Waiver’s Terms, Conditions, and Restrictions, to determine if you are eligible for your expiration date to be extended.
    • If the FMCSA waiver applies, you should carry a copy of the waiver with you while operating a commercial vehicle.
    • During this time, MVD will not downgrade any expired MEC.
  • MVD system will report expiration dates as follows:
    • Up until August 28, 2020, driving records will report these licenses as valid in the system but the physical card will show expired.
    • After August 28, 2020, driving records will show all licenses with a previous expiration date as expired.
  • Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions on this topic.

Keep Your MEC Current!

Commercial drivers must maintain a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) on their Montana driving record

If you don’t maintain a current MEC with the MVD, your commercial driver license will be downgraded to a standard license

Check the status of your current Montana CDL and MEC with our new app

Check Status Now

You must provide a copy of your new MEC to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division prior to the expiration of your current certificate. Do not count on your medical provider or employer to submit your MEC.  Please mail or fax a legible copy of your MEC to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division.

  • Mail:
    Motor Vehicle Division
    Attn: CDL Help Desk
    P.O. Box 201430
    Helena MT 59620-1430
  • Fax:
    406-444-1987

For more information, call the CDL Help Desk at 406-444-3244.

Important Requirement Update

As of May 21, 2014, all physical examinations to obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (formally known as a DOT card) must be performed by a medical professional listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

Determining Your Type of Self-Certification

Do you have a Montana Interstate commercial driver license or an Intrastate (Montana-Only) commercial driver license?

Interstate-CDL-for-Med-Cert-Page

Intrastate-CDL-for-Med-Cert-Page

If you have a Montana Intrastate commercial driver license, under Montana state law your only option is to self-certify as Intrastate Non-Excepted.

If you have a Montana Interstate commercial driver license you have two options:

Option 1:  You may self-certify as Interstate Non-Excepted (90% of Montana commercial drivers are non-excepted).

OR

Option 2:  You may self-certify as Interstate Excepted IF you drive a CMV exclusively in one of the following activities:

  • As federal, state, or local government employees;
  • To transport human corpses or sick or injured persons;
  • Fire truck or rescue vehicle drivers during emergencies and other related activities;
  • Primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel when responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response, such as damage to a propane gas system after a storm or flooding;
  • In response to a pipeline emergency condition requiring immediate response, such as a pipeline leak or rupture;
  • In custom harvesting on a farm or to transport farm machinery and supplies used in the custom harvesting operation to and from a farm, or to transport custom-harvested crops to storage or market;
  • Beekeeper in the seasonal transportation of bees;
  • Controlled and operated by a farmer, but is not a combination vehicle (power unit and towed unit), and is used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (no placarded hazardous materials) to and from a farm and within 150 air-miles of the farm;
  • As a private motor carrier of passengers for nonbusiness purposes; or
  • To transport migrant workers.

If you believe you qualify for excepted status, check with your employer before self-certifying as excepted. Some employers still require their drivers to be medically qualified and self-certify as non-excepted.

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