Commercial Driver Exams

Commercial Driver Medical Examination

Commercial Driver Medical Examination, DL-51 and DOT Examination all refer to the medical evaluation that is required to operate commercial vehicles in the United States.

San Jose Chiropractic Center offers complete examination services for commercial driver evaluations. We offer both medical and chiropractic examinations to meet the specific needs of the California DMV office and are available five (5) days per week to fit your tight schedule.

Call to schedule your examination 408-371-0260.

You may print your form here: Download PDF

The California Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Program was enacted in the interest of improving traffic safety on our roadways. As a result, California has developed licensing and testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles which equals or exceeds the federal standards.

It takes special skills and a professional attitude to safely operate large trucks and buses. Only professional drivers will receive and keep a Commercial Driver License (CDL). A CDL is proof of your professional skills and aptitude.

Medical report for commercial driver license (CDL)

A medical form completed by a U. S. licensed doctor of chiropractic (D.C.), doctor of medicine (M.D.), osteopathy (D.O.), licensed physician assistant (P.A.), a nurse practitioner (N.P.), advance practice nurse, or must be given to the DMV with your original application for a driver license or instruction permit. The medical form must be dated within the last 2 years and on a form approved by the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, DMV, or on the DMV Report of Medical Examination Report form DL 51 (An original DL 51 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.).

Effective October 1, 2004, DMV will accept only a Medical Examination Report (DL 51) with a revision date of 2/2004 or later, or a current medical form (containing the new blood pressure guidelines) approved by the Federal Highway Administration or the Federal Aviation Administration.

California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 12517.2(a) requires all applicants for an original or any renewal of a certificate(s) to drive a school bus, school pupil activity bus, youth bus, general public paratransit vehicle or farm labor vehicle to submit a report of a medical examination, completed by a physician (MD) licensed to a practice medicine (doctor of osteopathy [DO] is acceptable). The report of medical examination must be submitted upon application and every two years thereafter. CVC Section 12517.2(b) requires all school bus drivers within the same month of reaching the age of 65 to submit an acceptable medical report on a yearly basis.

The physician will complete and sign a Medical Certificate Card (DL51A) for you to carry when you are driving commercially. If you are required to have a CDL as part of your job, your employer must pay the cost of the examination unless your examination was taken before you applied for the job (Labor Code Section 231).