Enter the two dates from the card
Both are printed on the certificate itself. The issue date sits beside the examiner's signature; the expiry is usually labelled “Expiration Date”. Cards are written for 3, 6, 12 or 24 months, so read it rather than assuming two years.
Worked out from 49 CFR 391.43(g). Nothing you type here leaves your browser — there is no account, and we do not store it.
The rule changed, and it confused everybody
On 2025-06-23 FMCSA's medical certification integration took effect. For CDL and CLP holders, the examiner now sends the result electronically to the state and it appears on the driving record.
Examiners and states did not all move over at once, so FMCSA issued a waiver, modified on August 21, 2025, allowing a paper certificate to be relied on for up to 60 days from the date it was issued.
Why that means two clocks, not one
The certificate's own expiry and the paper window are independent. Whichever date comes first is the one that needs action.
Non-CDL drivers are not affected
The electronic transmission change covers CDL and CLP holders. Non-CDL drivers still file the paper certificate exactly as before.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a medical card valid for?
Up to 24 months, but often less. An examiner can issue a certificate for 3, 6 or 12 months where a condition needs monitoring, so the expiry printed on the card is the only reliable date. Never assume two years.
What changed for medical certificates in 2025?
From 23 June 2025 medical examiners send certification results electronically to the state for CDL and CLP holders, so the result appears on the driving record instead of the carrier filing a paper copy. FMCSA then issued a waiver, modified on 21 August 2025, allowing a paper certificate to be relied on for up to 60 days from its issue date while examiners and states finish moving over.
Does the 60-day paper window apply to non-CDL drivers?
No. Non-CDL drivers are outside the electronic transmission change, so the paper certificate still goes in the file as it always did. The 60-day window matters for CDL and CLP holders.
Which date should I diary, the expiry or the paper window?
Both, because they are independent. A card can be well inside its printed expiry while the 60-day paper window behind it has already closed. Whichever comes first is the one that needs action.
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Tracking more than one driver
This page answers one question. DQTrack does the same arithmetic for every driver and vehicle you run, watches the dates, and emails you before something lapses — see pricing or try another calculator.