All school bus drivers must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a school bus endorsement to transport pupils.
For Technical Assistance regarding the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners:
Telephone:617.494.3003
For Medical and Health-Related Questions Pertaining to Physicals:
Telephone:202.366.4001
Self-Certification
Kentucky school bus drivers should choose “excepted interstate commerce” in most cases. Drivers who use their CDL for other commercial purposes may need to make a different selection.
DOT Physical Card Update
Drivers must carry paper copies of their medical certifications for 15 days after their medical exam.
KDE suggests that districts use the following steps to expedite this process:
1. Start the license renewal and/or medical certification process well in advance before going to obtain or renew license/permit and/or before a physical expires.
2. Visit a certified medical examiner for a physical and obtain the Medical Examiner's Certificate.
3. Scan and email a legible copy of the Medical Examiner's Certificate to the Division of Driver Licensing. Include your address/phone number/email address for notice of approval.
Mail to: 200 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40622
Fax to: 502-696-3932
All CDL holders/applicants will receive written notification via regular mail or email after their medical card has been received and processed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing. Email may be printed out to serve as written notification. Upon receipt of written notification from the Division of Driver Licensing the school bus driver must take the written notification to the license issuing office in their county to obtain their license/permit or renew their existing license/permit.
Commercial vehicle drivers and employers can verify their certifications are up to date with state requirements by going online. The CDL Verification Portal, launched by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Driver Licensing, is designed to give commercial driver license ( CDL ) holders and their employers the ability to check the receipt and processing of their documents at any time. In order to check the status of drivers on the website, a user must have the name, Kentucky license number and date of birth of the driver. User instructions can be found on the website.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: When do I need to send in a copy of my DOT physical card?
A: Every time you get a new physical or self-certify you must send documentation to the Kentucky Department of Transportation, Division of Drivers Licensing a minimum of 30 days before your DOT physical expires.
Mail to: 200 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40622
Fax to: 502-696-3932
Q: Can a driver get a two year DOT Physical if qualified?
A: We are recommending that whenever possible that you have your drivers be certified for two years. This DOES NOT eliminate the need for an annual physical, but it will keep their license from expiring while waiting for KY DOT to process the medical examination and self-certification updates.
Q: Why must a driver get an annual physical?
A: The requirement for an annual physical is part of KRS 281A.175 which was revised June 25, 2013. It is also included in 702 KAR 5:080, Section 1.
Q: What does ‘Medical Examiner’ mean?
A: From 49 C.F.R. pt. 390: Medical examiner means the following:
(1) For medical examinations conducted before May 21, 2014, a person who is licensed, certified, and/or registered, in accordance with applicable State laws and regulations, to perform physical examinations. The term includes but is not limited to, doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and doctors of chiropractic.
(2) For medical examinations conducted on and after May 21, 2014, an individual certified by FMCSA and listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners in accordance with subpart D of this part.
Q: How do I obtain a CDL?
Q: Which form do I use for my physical?
A: You must use the form approved by KY DOT.