New York CDL holders should not take their updated medical certificates into a DMV Issuing Office UNLESS they are also performing a license transaction (such as a CDL Permit or update). Medical certificates should be submitted to the FMCSA by the DOT physical provider.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) has undergone an extensive modernization effort to consolidate many of its legacy applications into a single, new system.
As part of this effort, Commercial Driver License (CDL) and Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) holders will no longer submit their updated Medical Examiners Certificates and/or Medical Variances to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles effective February 18, 2026.
Federal regulations require that all Medical Examiners Certificates and/or Medical Variances be sent electronically to the National Registry and then to DMV.
Certificates will be transmitted electronically from the National Registry beginning on February 18th, 2026. CDL/CLP holders that obtain their USDOT medical certificate prior to February 18th, 2026 and haven’t already submitted it to the DMV can fax or e-mail it to:
· Fax 518-486-4421 or 518-486-3260
· E-mail: dmv.sm.cdlmedcertunit@dmv.ny.gov
This will allow us to request the information electronically from the National Registry.
You can check if your Medical Certification has been accepted by using "My License Status, Renewal, and Replacement" on MyDMV. Look under "License Status" to determine your self-certification driving type, medical certification status, and medical certificate expiration date.
If you have questions regarding the new medical requirements, please contact the Medical Certification Unit at 518-474-3603 or by e-mail at dmv.sm.cdlmedcertunit@dmv.ny.gov
CDL holders that fail to keep their medical certificate current become medically “not certified” when the medical certificate on file expires. A letter is sent to the driver advising them that they are “not certified” and that their CDL license will be downgraded in 55 days. If acceptable proof of medical certification is not received and processed within 55 days, the CDL is downgraded to a non-CDL license on the 56th day.
Drivers have until the expiration date of their driver’s license, and up to two years past the expiration date, to be recertified and obtain their CDL again without having to be retested. Two years past the expiration date of the CDL, all tests (knowledge and skills ) must be retaken.
CDL holders that submit fraudulent medical documents to the Medical Certification Unit will have their CDL license revoked for one year.
