CDL Frequently Asked Questions

Pursuant to Federal Regulations 49 CFR 383, 384, 390 and 391, all Classes A, B or C Commercial License (CDL) holders must certify to the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in. You can certify on our website at www.ALEA.gov. and visit the Driver License home page, under Division Links, CDL Self Certification.

Once submitted, unless you change the type of transportation you are involved in, you do not need to submit another self-certification. To change your certification, you can visit our website at www.alabamadl.alea.gov

You may change your self-certification status.

Required forms may be submitted by one of the following:

ALEA will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV. You must select a category for your self-certification. To self-certify or change your self-certification, you can visit our website at www.alabamadl.alea.gov.  The medical examiner that issued your medical certification/DOT physical is responsible for uploading the information (including any waiver information) to FMCSA. ALEA will receive the information electronically and add it to your record. You should verify on the above link that your self-certification and medical card information is correct. You can update your self-certification if needed, but missing or inaccurate medical card information will require you to contact your medical examiner. If the required information is not received within 45 days of the notice from ALEA, then all CDL privileges will be removed from your license.

Starting on January 30, 2012, when you:

• Apply for a CDL:
• Renew a CDL;
• Apply for a higher class of CDL;
• Apply for a new endorsement on a CDL; or
• Transfer a CDL from another State

Based on the self-certification, if a medical card and/or variance (waiver) is required, ALEA will query the FMCSA database, and current medical certification/DOT medical card will be received. If the information is missing or inaccurate, you will not be issued your CDL until valid information is received. You will be required to contact your Medical Examiner to submit or correct missing or inaccurate information.

Only doctors certified by FMCSA can administer the DOT physical. They will have a Federal Registration number, and they will have the correct form(s). For more information regarding Medical Certification Please see: Federal Regulations: Medical examination; certificate of physical examination. 

If your self-certification category is Non-Excepted Interstate, you are required to have a medical certification/DOT card on file. The Medical Examiner that issued your medical certification/DOT medical card is responsible for submitting your information to FMCSA. That medical information is submitted electronically to your state of record. You will be able to check that your medical certification/DOT medical card is attached to your record by verifying the information on: www.alabamadl.alea.gov. If the information on the website is missing or inaccurate, please contact your medical examiner.

Per Federal regulations, states are no longer allowed to update medical certifications/DOT medical cards. The Medical Examiner that issued your medical certification/DOT medical card is responsible for submitting your information to FMCSA. That medical information is submitted electronically to your state of record. You will be able to check that your medical certification/DOT medical card is attached to your record by verifying the information on: www.alabamadl.alea.gov. If the information on the website is missing or inaccurate, please contact your medical examiner.

If you have chosen the self-certification category Non-Excepted Interstate, you must obtain a valid medical certification/DOT medical card. The Medical Examiner that issued your medical certification/DOT medical card is responsible for submitting your information to FMCSA. That medical information is submitted electronically to your state of record. You will be able to check that your medical certification/DOT medical card is attached to your record by verifying the information on: www.alabamadl.alea.gov. If the information on the website is missing or inaccurate, please contact your medical examiner. Once the information is received, your license will be reinstated at no charge. To verify your privileges have been reinstated, please visit the www.alabamadl.alea.gov site and under the account management tab: View My License, ID, or Permit Standing.

Note: RE-examination will be required if your Alabama CDL has been expired over three (3) years.

Yes, if being issued a CDL for the first time, or upgrading, a CLP must be issued first and must be held for at least 14 days before testing for the CDL. Also, per Federal Regulations, Entry Level Driver Training is required for anyone obtaining a CDL for the first time. A list of ELDT providers can be found at: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov

The CLP is valid for 360 days and is not renewable. Once expired the applicant must retake all written tests and be issued a new CLP.

Military service members who are currently licensed and who are or were employed within the past year (12 months) in a military transportation unit requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a Commercial Motor Vehicle are eligible for a military skills waiver. These individuals will still have to take the knowledge portion(s) of the CDL test, but the skills will be waived. The form to have the skills portion waived is available at any ALEA CDL testing office and should be requested at the time the knowledge test(s) are being taken.