California DMV About Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Commercial Driver’s License Program

According to FMCSA & California DMV:

• A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A vehicle designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than ten passengers (including the driver).
• A vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
• A vehicle transporting hazardous materials (requires placards).
• A vehicle transporting hazardous waste as defined in California Health and Safety Code §25115 and §25117.
• A vehicle towing a combination of two trailers or vehicle and trailer.
• A 3-axle vehicle weighing more than 6,000 pounds.

• Understand whether you will be driving within the State (Intrastate Commerce) and/or between States (Interstate Commerce)
• Always consult the DMV and FMCSA for definitive and most recent changes and/or complicated exceptions
• Interstate Drivers (FMCSA) are required as of the date of this webpage when:
  • Vehicle rated or weighs 10,001 lb. or more
  • Vehicle designed for 9-15 passenger (including driver) for Hire
  • Vehicle designed for 16 or more (including driver) no matter for hire or NOT
  • Hazardous Material (placarded)
  • If a driver returns from an illness or injury that interferes with driving, new medical certificate is required even if not expired.
• Intrastate is dependent upon your State. For California this is the DMV.
  • • Link to California DMV Commercial Driver’s License Medical Eligibility & Exams

FMCSA Medical Applications and Forms

• All Physical Exams you will be provided with an exam gown or shorts. Undergarments should be left on. If you arrive in your own shorts and loose-fitting shirt, this may suffice and is up to Dr. Sun’s discretion.
• Complete Medical History.
• Complete Physical Examination by Dr. Sun.
• Please note that Physical Examination REQUIRES a check for Hernia in Groin.
• Grip Strength testing.
• Specific regulations exist for illnesses such as:
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Seizures
  • Psychological Disorders
  • Substance Abuse
  • And more….

• This can be a complicated question as it can depend upon your individual medical history, physical exam, previous Certification History.
• In general however you can expect to provide a urine sample for in-office screen.
• More labs may be indicated prior to Medical Examiner being able to certify you based upon their findings and at their discretion.

• You can expect a humble, small, modest, clean, no-frills office.  There is no administrative staff, nor medical assistants as Dr. Sun performs all her own work. Pictures are on the ‘How It Works‘ page.
• As you can imagine, the cost to provide a brick-and-mortar location is expensive, then couple that with providing medical services, the equipment and regulations required – it sometimes can be out of reach.
• If you have an in-clinic appointment, there will never be a waiting room full of people. Appointments are separated by a substantial amount of time.  When you arrive,  the time and clinic is blocked only for you.
• Dr. Sun was able to create two physically separate suites within what was once fully occupied by a computer shop. Now the suite in the back is the computer repair shop (Suite D2) , and her medical office occupies (Suite D1). We went through ~8 months of work to make this happen with the City of LA and San Pedro.

• • The Medical Examiner is required to be able to view your Tympanic Membrane (aka Ear Drum) on otoscope examination.
• If ear wax is blocking view, your ear will need to be cleaned prior to Certification.
• As Dr. Sun is a M.D. this can be performed in-office.