Official NCDMV: Medical Requirements FAQs

Expand All

Collapse All

What must I do to comply with the requirements for making my medical certification part of my commercial driver license driving record?
You must self-certify to a single type of commercial operation on your driver license application form when you:
Apply for a commercial driver license
Renew a commercial driver license
Apply for a higher class of commercial driver license
Apply for a new endorsement on a commercial driver license
Transfer a commercial driver license from another State
Based on the self-certification a DOT medical examination may be required to obtain or keep your commercial driver license.
How can I find a medical examiner who is authorized to conduct DOT medical examination?
Visit the National Registry of Medical Examiners webssite to find one.
What is a variance/waiver? What is an SPE?
A variance/waiver may be granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for certain commercial driver license operators with vision or diabetes issues.

A skills performance evaluation, or SPE, may be required for commercial driver license operators who have a loss of limb before a variance/waiver may be granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

A waiver may be granted by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle's Medical Review Program for certain operators who cannot meet the federal medical certification requirements.
Who is required to obtain a Medical Examiner Certificate (MEC)?
CDL and commercial learner's permit (CLP) holder/applicants who certify to either a non-excepted interstate or not excepted intrastate category of commercial motor vehicle operation must obtain a medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's National Registry of Medical Examiners.
Note: Although an employer may require you to get an Medical Examiner Certificate as a condition of employment, DMV cannot update an MEC to your driving record unless both of the following conditions apply:
- You apply for or hold a CDL or CLP
- You self-certify to either a non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate category or commercial motor vehicle operation.
Effective June 28, 2025, DMV will no longer accept Medical Examiner Certificates (MECs) directly from commercial drivers. In compliance with federal regulations, all MECs must be submitted by their medical examiner provider electronically through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRII) Portal.
After NCDMV receives my DOT medical examiner’s certificate electronically, do I still have to carry an original or copy of my medical examiner’s certificate?
No, the original/paper Medical Examiner's Certificate, may no longer be used as proof of medical certification.
What should I do when my medical certificate and/or variance is about to expire?
You must have a new medical examination and obtain a new DOT medical examiner's certificate. You are also responsible for applying for a renewal of your variance/waiver if required.
What happens if my medical examiner’s certificate or variance expires before NCDMV is provided with a new one?
NCDMV will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in non-excepted interstate/non-excepted intrastate commerce. You will have 30 days to respond, or your entire North Carolina driving privileges will be canceled.
How can I get back my commercial driver license privileges?
If the federal Department of Transportation medical examiner's certificate has expired, you must obtain a new one and provide it to NCDMV. If the variance has expired, you must renew it with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. NCDMV may require retesting and additional fees to restore your commercial driver license privileges.

For more information on the National Registry, visit FMCSA National Registry

7/1/2019 5:33 PM

Frequently Asked Questions