Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, everyone who wishes to obtain or who currently holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) will need to inform the DMV/RMV of the type of commerce they plan to operate within (interstate or intrastate) and whether or not they are required to hold a medical certificate. This notification is called self-certification.

Those drivers required to have a DOT medical certificate will also need to provide the RMV with a copy.

It is called self-certification because the driver, alone, needs to determine the self-certification category they fall into based on their driving information.

CDL drivers can complete their CDL Self-Certification with the RMV. Customers who wish to obtain, or who currently hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) that is being renewed, upgraded, or transferred from another State, will be required to self-certify in a branch office at that time.

If a driver’s medical examiner’s certificate is only valid with a vision, diabetes, or skills performance evaluation variance granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the driver will also need to provide this documentation to the RMV.

A driver’s self-certification category and medical certificate information, if applicable, will be become part of the CDLIS driver record for use by law enforcement.

The CDL Self-Certification Form can be found on the RMV website under the Forms & Manuals tab in the Licensing section.

No, you only need to provide the completed one-page Medical Examiner’s Certificate. This is the final page of the full Medical Examination Report signed by the medical provider.

The medical certificate you present should have an expiration date that is greater than ninety (90) days in the future.There are six (6) conditions that appear on the top of a medical certificate and may be selected by a medical examiner. Option number 3 is selected if a medical certificate is only valid if accompanied by a waiver or exemption.

No, if you operate a commercial motor vehicle that is over 10,000 lbs. and less than 26,000 lbs. with a Class D license, you are not required to self-certify. However, if you are required to hold a medical certificate, you must continue to carry it with you.

Interstate commerce is trade, traffic, or transportation involving the crossing of a state boundary. Either the vehicle, its passengers, or cargo must cross a state boundary, or there must be the intent to cross a state boundary to be considered an interstate carrier.

Intrastate commerce is trade, traffic, or transportation within a single state.

• Non-excepted Interstate (NI) – You operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, and are subject to meet federal qualification requirements (Title 49, Section 391.64) and are required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate.
• Excepted Interstate (EI) – You operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, but engage exclusively in transportation or operations that are excepted from all or parts of the federal qualification requirements, and are therefore not required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate.
• Non-excepted Intrastate (NA) – You only operate in intrastate commerce and are subject to State driver qualification requirements.
• Excepted Intrastate (EA) – You operate in intrastate commerce, but engage exclusively in transportation or operations excepted from all or parts of the State driver qualification requirements, and are therefore notrequired to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate.

You should self-certify at the highest standard for which you qualify. NI is the broadest category and the one you should select if you meet the criteria, even if you currently do not consider yourself an interstate driver.

To qualify for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Rhode Island, you must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination. Medical examiner’s certificates are valid for no more than two years. Some medical conditions may require you to have a physical examination more frequently.

Yes, if you would like to keep your CDL, you must self-certify. Otherwise, you may choose to downgrade to a Class D license. Drivers cannot keep a CDL without self-certifying.

Failure to self-certify and provide a copy of your medical certificate, if you require one, will result in the downgrading of your commercial driver license (CDL).

If you are a Class A, B or C Learner’s Permit holder your permit will be deleted upon self-certification expiration. You will be required to reapply for a Commercial Learner’s Permit. All associated fees and testing requirements will apply.

After your initial self-certification, you will receive a reminder letter when your self-certification is due to expire. A notice will be sent to the address we have on record prior to the expiration date. If you do not re-certify by the expiration date, you will no longer be authorized to operate a vehicle requiring a commercial driver license (CDL).You may also need to re-certify prior to the expiration date if the type of driving you conduct has changed.

If your updated information is not received within 60 days after the expiration date on record:

1. The RMV will downgrade you to a Class D license which will be mailed to you.
2. A $25.00 license amendment fee will be posted on your driving record to be collected at the time of your next license transaction.