I Have a Florida CDL

I have a Florida Commercial Driver’s License.  Am I required to have a medical certificate, and where is the requirement?

If you have a CDL, both Florida statutes and federal laws require that you possess a current medical examiner’s certificate. Here are CMV requirements for Interstate drivers:

  1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more ( whichever is greater); or
  2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  4. Is used in transporting hazardous material under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

I have monocular vision. I live in Florida and my CDL is restricted to intrastate only. Am I required to have an exemption or waiver?

Florida is the only state that does not require an exemption for otherwise qualified drivers with vision in one eye.

I drive a tow truck in Florida. Do I need a CDL? Which vehicle group does it fall under?

Possibly. Much like landscaping and other construction company vehicles, a tow truck and its towed vehicle are treated the same as any other vehicle (or powered unit) towing a trailer (or non-powered unit).

If the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of the tow truck and its towed vehicle is 26,001 pounds or more, and the towed vehicle alone exceeds 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), then the driver needs a Group A CDL.

If the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the tow truck alone is 26,001 pounds or more, and the driver either (a) drives the tow truck without a vehicle in tow, or (b) drives the tow truck with a towed vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), then the driver needs a Group B CDL.

If neither of the above apply, and the driver tows a vehicle required to be placarded for hazardous materials on a ‘‘subsequent move,’’ i.e. after the initial movement of the disabled vehicle to the nearest storage or repair facility, then the driver needs a Group C CDL.

Can your office issue my medical certificate? 

Yes.  As of May 2014, all U.S.A. DOT medical examinations must be conducted by a Federal Motor Carrier Certified Medical Examiner.  Dr. Green is a Federal DOT Certified Medical Examiner. 

How do I apply for an exemption?

You can apply for a vision exemption or a diabetes exemption via the FORMS page below.

DOT Forms