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When does my DOT medical card expire?

Type the date on your card or the date of your DOT physical. See the days left and when to book your next exam, then add reminders to your phone calendar. Free, no signup.

Your medical card
What do you know?

Printed on the Medical Examiner's Certificate (form MCSA-5876).

Your results

Fill in the fields to see your answer.

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Estimates only. Based on the numbers you enter. Not tax, legal or financial advice.

How to work out when your medical card expires

  • Expiration = the date printed on your Medical Examiner's Certificate
  • Without the card: exam date + the months you were certified for (24 at most)
  • Book the next exam by = expiration − 30 days (our suggestion, not a rule)
  • Reminders = 30, 15 and 7 days before expiration

The 24-month maximum and the 12-month cases come from 49 CFR 391.45. The examiner can certify you for a shorter time, so the date on your card always wins over the calculation.

Worked example

A driver passed a DOT physical on March 15, 2025 and was certified for 24 months:

Worked example
ExpiresMarch 15, 2025 + 24 months = March 15, 2027
Book the next exam byMarch 15, 2027 − 30 days = February 13, 2027
RemindersFebruary 13, February 28 and March 8, 2027

Before your DOT physical

  • Pick an examiner on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. An exam by anyone else doesn't count.
  • Bring your driver's license. The examiner matches your name, date of birth and license number to your state record, so they must be exact.
  • Bring your glasses or contacts, hearing aids, and a list of your medicines with doses.
  • If you see a specialist for a condition, bring their recent notes or test results so the examiner can decide on the day.
  • After the exam, check that your state shows the new expiration date on your record.

FAQ

How long is a DOT medical card good for?

Up to 24 months. Federal rules (49 CFR 391.45) require a new exam if you haven't been certified in the past 24 months, and 12 months for drivers with insulin-treated diabetes or a vision exemption. The examiner can certify you for less, for example to monitor a condition, so go by the date on your card.

Can I drive with an expired DOT medical card?

No. You need a current medical certification to drive a commercial motor vehicle. If yours has expired, stop driving commercially until you pass a new DOT physical with a certified medical examiner.

How early can I renew my DOT physical?

There's no rule against going early, and FMCSA suggests getting the exam well before your card expires so any mistakes can be fixed in time. A new exam starts a new certification period from the new exam date, so going very early shortens the time you get from the old card.

Who can do a DOT physical?

Only a medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Search the National Registry for examiners near you before you book, and bring your driver's license to the appointment.

Do I still need to give my medical card to the DMV?

For CDL and CLP holders, the examiner now sends your result to your state licensing agency through the National Registry. Check with your state that the new date shows on your record, especially if you change your license or move states. Non-CDL drivers still get a paper certificate and must carry a copy.

Is my information saved or shared?

Your dates are saved only in your own browser, and the calendar file is made on your phone. Nothing you type is sent to Trucking Help Center's servers. If you want email alerts, you can save the card in TruckMate Fleet with a free account.

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