Get the FAQs: CDL Medical Certificate Changes Effective July 1, 2026
What’s changing on July 1, 2026, for Medical Certificates in South Dakota?
- EA-Excepted Intrastate- Are the only drivers that are affected by this change.
- South Dakota will no longer exempt intrastate CDL holders from the requirements of 49 CFR 391.11(b)(4), Physical Qualifications.
What if I take no action?
- Your CDL will be automatically downgraded to a non‑commercial license on July 1, 2026.
- You can still drive on that non‑commercial license.
- But you won’t be allowed to operate commercial vehicles again until you receive a medical card.
How can I stay compliant?
Re-Certify as:
NI- Non-excepted Interstate - (You will qualify for this if you or your cargo cross state lines or you do not meet qualifications in other categories.)
- Visit a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry.
- They’ll submit your medical certificate electronically to Driver Licensing within 2 business days.
- Then go to a driver exam station before July 1 to update your CDL and remove the “K” restriction and receive a new license.
EI-Excepted Interstate - (You may qualify only if all your commercial driving is under federal exemptions 49 CFR 390.3(f), 391.2, 391.68, or 398.3).
- You may still qualify for Excepted Interstate under the following conditions: Beekeepers, custom harvesters, government employees, and certain farm vehicle drivers and qualifying covered farm vehicles. (See the federal regulations for a full list of excepted categories.)
- Go to the driver exam station before July 1 to update your CDL and remove the “K” restriction and receive a new license.
NA-Non-Excepted Intrastate - (You may qualify only if all your commercial driving is under 32-12A-24 (in-state school bus driving) or if you are under the age of 21.)
- Visit a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry.
- They’ll submit your medical certificate electronically to Driver Licensing within 2 business days.
-
- You will need to submit a new self-certification form to Driver Licensing. The form can be found HERE.
- Once Driver Licensing updates your self-certification form, your process is completed.
Medical Self-Certification Statements
All CDL drivers must complete a medical self-certification statement.
CDL drivers with a medical certificate must keep a current version on file with Driver Licensing.
- A new certificate must be received before the current one expires, generally every two years.
- Drivers will be notified 60 days prior to their current certificate’s expiration date that they must obtain a new certificate or self-certify that they are no longer subject to the federal physical requirements.
- If the South Dakota Driver Licensing Program does not have a current medical certificate for a CDL driver, their CDL will be downgraded to a non-commercial license.
Medical certificates must be issued by a medical professional registered with the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
- Find a professional near you.
- Information about medical examinations and exemptions for diabetes, vision, hearing, and seizures can be found on the FMCSA website. Click here to visit their web page.
- Incomplete or illegible certificates will be returned and must be re-submitted.
All CDL Medical Cards will be submitted electronically to the South Dakota Driver Licensing Program
through the National Registry by a participating provider.
Companies and drivers no longer need to send in their medical card/certificates.
If you need to verify that South Dakota has received your medical certificate, you may email us or call (605) 773-6883 between 9AM-4PM Central Time Monday-Friday (closed on weekends and state holidays).
For Healthcare Professionals
If you’d like to become a Certified Medical Examiner, you can start by visiting the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website.
Additional information about medical examinations and exemptions for diabetes, vision, hearing, and seizures can be found on the FMCSA website. Click here to visit their web page.
If you wish to attend medical examiner certification training, you can find more information from the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians.
GET YOUR CDL IN A SNAPNeed to apply for or renew your commercial driver’s license? Review CDL manuals to get ready for testing. Then review third party testers to take your CDL driving test and hit the road. See CDL FAQs for more information. |