This project changes who will now be responsible for collecting and storing all of the DOT/CDL Medical information.  It changes what happens when a DOT Medical expires and it is not updated.  It also changes some of the requirements for the driver and their employer.  Note:  This only affects CDL holders who drive CMV’s that require a CDL.  It does not affect CMV’s in the 10,001 to 26,000 weight class.

The project changes who and how the DOT Medical is tracked.  The DMV is now responsible for collecting and storing the DOT Medical Certificate.  The DMV is also responsible for tracking the expiration date of the DOT Medical Certificate and marking a driver’s record as "Not Medically Certified" whenever an individual’s DOT has expired and the individual did not provide an updated certificate.

All Colorado CDL holders must demonstrate that they are medically fit to operate a CMV by undergoing a DOT physical.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

The effective date is January 30, 2012 for new CDL applicants and individuals renewing their CDL.  All CDL holders will need to comply by January 30, 2014. 

The Colorado DMV had no method of storing DOT Medical information until January 30th, 2012 so operators holding CDLs issued before that date were required to hold their DOT Medical information until after January 30th, 2012. 

It depends on when your current CDL expires.  If your CDL expires before January 30, 2014, you can wait until you come in to renew your CDL.  If your CDL expires after January 30, 2014, you will need to make sure that we have a copy of your valid DOT Medical certificate before January 30, 2014.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

The regulations require that a new Motor Vehicle status be developed.  The status is called the "Medically Certified" status.  This status will be controlled by the expiration date of the DOT Medical Certificate that an individual submits to the DMV.  If the DOT Medical Certificate is valid then the individual will have a Medically Certified status of “Certified” and the individual can legally drive a CMV.  If the individual's DOT Medical Certificate is expired, then individual will have a Medically Certified status of “Not Certified” and the individual cannot legally drive a CMV.

Yes.  By State statute, any person who holds a Colorado CDL must demonstrate that they are medically fit to operate a CMV via a DOT physical.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

Compliance is achieved and maintained by ensuring that you provide to the DMV a copy of your DOT Medical Certificate each time it is renewed. 

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

After January 30th 2012, you may present it in person to at all State DMV offices and some County DMV offices.   

You may fax them to the CDL unit at 303-205-5709

Or you may mail it to the following address: 

No, for security reasons, e-mail is not an option because of the Personal Identification Information (PII) that is contained on the DOT Medical card.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

In most cases you will only need to provide to the DMV a copy of the DOT Medical Certificate.  Occasionally, the long form may be required for investigative purposes.  

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

No, nothing has changed with any of the DOT medical requirements.

No, none of the various expiration dates have changed.  

 Yes, at this time there is no change as who can perform a DOT exam.

 No, these changes, by regulation are federally mandated and all 51 jurisdictions must comply.

Yes, because by State rule, Colorado has adopted the federal regulations which means that all Colorado CDL holders must prove that they are medically fit to operate a CMV that requires a CDL via a DOT medical.

Some states have not adopted the federal regulations and may have their own state specific requirements.

As in the past, on the first day of an individual's DOT Medical Certificate expiring, that individual is no longer qualified to operate a CDL type CMV. 

On the 10th day of the DMV not receiving an updated DOT Medical Certificate, the DMV will change the individual's Medical Certification status to “Not Certified” and the DMV will also mail out a letter to the individual explaining that they cannot operate a CDL type CMV and what the individual needs to do to comply. 

On the 30th day of the DMV not receiving an updated DOT Medical Certificate, the DMV will cancel the individual’s entire license and at this point the individual has no driving privileges.

Either provide a new updated DOT Medical Certificate to the DMV or downgrade to a regular license.  There will be no reinstatement fees charged and in most cases, there will be no testing.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

All you need to do is provide the DMV with an updated DOT Medical Certificate.  Once the DMV enters the information into the system your “Medical Certification” status will go back to certified.  The other option is to downgrade to a regular license.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

No tests will be required unless your CDL was cancelled for more than a year.  The same applies for those individuals who downgrade to a regular license.  They have one year from the date of the downgrade to get their CDL back without re-testing.

To keep your CDL valid and your Medical Certification status of "Yes", you must always submit a new DOT Medical certificate to the DMV before the previous DOT Medical expires.  If your Medical Certification status does go to “Not Certified”, all you need to do is provide a new DOT Medical Certificate or downgrade to a regular license.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

Since you are not medically qualified to operate a CMV, you could be cited for driving without a valid CDL.  More importantly, driving without a valid/current DOT medical certificate can be an out of service offense.  Driving with a cancelled CDL license would be like driving without a CDL, which by federal regulations is a serious offense and is also an out of service offense.

Yes, it does not matter who we receive the DOT Medical Certificate from.

The DMV does not need to keep the original.  You can either bring an additional copy of the certificate or we will make a copy.

Beginning January 30 2012, the DMV will accept any form (photocopy, fax, laminated copy, etc.) of your DOT Medical Certificate, including out of state DOT Medical Certificates providing they are complete, legible and have no appearance of being altered.  

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

After January 30 2012:

If you submit your DOT Medical Certificate to a DMV in person, you can get a copy of your CDLIS MVR on the spot.  

If you fax or mail your Medical Certificate, you can wait 24-36 hours and then request a CDLIS MVR either in person or by mail. 

You can also call our customer service line at 303-205-5843.

The CDLIS (Commercial Driver's License Information System) MVR is a special MVR that contains all of the DOT Medical demographic information.

$2.20, the same cost as a regular MVR (if purchased from the DMV).

CDLIS MVR's will not be available from Colorado DMV until January 30, 2012.

After January 30 2012, you will be able to purchase your CDLIS MVR in person at most State Driver License offices and at certain County Driver License offices.  You may also purchase the CDLIS MVR by mail. 

For a copy of your own CDLIS MVR, purchased over the counter, you must present your Colorado CDL to the agent.  For a copy of your employee's CDLIS MVR, purchased over the counter, you must present a photocopy of the individual's Colorado CDL. 

Requests submitted by mail must specifically request a CDLIS MVR; include your full name, date of birth, signature, return mailing address and the $2.20 fee.

Requests should be mailed to: 

Colorado Department of Revenue 

Driver Services, Mail Services Section

1881 Pierce St, Room 150

Lakewood CO  80214

Yes, the procedures that your employer is currently following remain the same. 

After January 30, 2014, per Federal regulations, CDL holders will not be required to carry their DOT medical certificate on their person when operating a CMV.  However, the Colorado DMV STRONGLY urges CDL holders to continue to carry their DOT medical certificate with them when operating a CMV.

The employer is required to place into the employee’s DQ (Driver Qualification) file a copy of the CDLIS MVR that has the most recent DOT Medical Certificate information.  This includes every time a new DOT medical is issued for an individual.

Law enforcement will be able to verify DOT Medical information through CCIC (Colorado Crime Information Center), CDLIS or direct contact with the Colorado DMV. 

Yes, as long as you keep your DOT Medical up to date and provide the DOT Medical Certificate to the DMV as required.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

All you are required to do is downgrade to a regular license.  To avoid interruption to your driving privileges you must downgrade before your DOT Medical expires.

The DMV will still need a copy of your DOT Medical Certificate.  We will not be able to issue a CDL license until we receive the medical waiver directly from FMCSA.  For the expiration date, we will use the document that has the earliest expiration date.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

You will need to provide to the DMV a copy of your DOT Medical Certificate and your SPE.  For the expiration date, the DMV will use the document with the earliest expiration date.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

All you need to do is provide the DMV with a valid DOT Medical Certificate.  Once we enter the information into our system all of your statuses will go back to valid and you should be able to be on your way.

Where and when possible, the Driver License offices will give these types of transactions priority.  Please keep in mind that due to staffing issues this may not always be practical.

If you are just updating a DOT Medical Certificate and are not being issued a license document, there will no charge.  If you are purchasing a copy of your CDLIS MVR after the update is entered, there is a $2.20 fee for the MVR.  

Yes, beginning January 30 2012, you may take an updated DOT Medical Certificate into any State Driver License office to have your record updated.  Certain Counties that issue Driver Licenses may be able to offer this service as well.

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

Your current valid DOT Medical Certificate will be accepted provided the document is complete, legible and shows no sign of being altered. 

Click here for the DR2903 DOT Medical & Self Certification Form 

Click here for the DR2904 CDL Self Certification Form & Attached Medical

Even though the rule indicates that drivers no longer need to carry their DOT Medical Certificate on their person when operating a CMV, The DMV STRONGLY recommends that all drivers continue to carry their current DOT Medical on their person when operating a CMV. 

To make the tracking of the DOT and CDL expiration dates easier, the DMV suggests, when possible, that an individual schedule their DOT physical close (within a couple of weeks) to the day and month that their CDL license would expire. 

Since the new regulations now require that an employer keep a copy of the CDLIS MVR in the DQ (Driver Qualification) file instead of the DOT Medical Certificate, the DMV is strongly suggesting that employers continue to keep the DOT Medical Certificate in the DQ file, as well as the now required CDLIS MVR. 

You can e-mail the CDL Unit at cdlunit@spike.dor.state.co.us or call our Customer Service section at 303-205-5843.