How long is the medical certificate for a driving licence valid?

The digital medical certificate for a driving licence is valid for 3 months from an individual medical examination and 6 months from an examination by the Local Medical Commission (CML). These are the deadlines for using the certificate in the application, not the duration of fitness to drive.

First, clarify which certificate you mean

“Driving licence medical certificate” can refer to different documents: a certificate for starting an application, the decision of the Local Medical Commission, or fitness established during a renewal. They do not automatically have the same period of validity. The relevant date may depend on the type of examination, licence category, application and conditions stated. So there is no safe rule such as “it is always valid for six months”: check the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) page for the procedure and ask the Civil Motor Vehicle Office (UMC) whether your certificate can still be used.

When you book the examination, ask which certificate will be issued, when its validity starts and which stage it can be used for. If your application requires a CML decision or a specialist report, an ordinary certificate may not be enough. Do not confuse the validity of the administrative document with the duration of the driving licence: these are different deadlines with different effects. Keep the original certificate and check any restrictions or review dates stated on it. Do not alter it or submit a photocopy in place of the original when the office requires the original.

How to avoid having to repeat an examination

If you have already had the examination but have not yet submitted your application, send the UMC a specific question: “Is the certificate issued on day X valid for the first issue of category Y at your office?” Attach a copy with unnecessary personal details redacted, if you are using an official channel, and ask them to confirm photo, signature, any attachments and deadlines. If you are asked to undergo an additional examination or see the CML, ask whether the previous certificate remains on file or must be issued again. Procedures may vary locally, so keep the reply and reference number.

Do not wait until the last day if the certificate is close to expiring: appointment availability for examinations and tests is not guaranteed. If the document is no longer valid, book a new examination through the correct channel and repeat only the payments required for that procedure. An expired certificate does not automatically mean that you do not meet the medical requirements; it means the UMC may be unable to use it for your current application. Renewals follow a separate procedure for licence expiry and the medical examination: consult the MIT page on renewals.

Quick checks

• Read the date and purpose stated on the certificate.
• Confirm with the UMC that it is valid for your specific category and stage.
• Distinguish an application certificate, a CML decision and a licence renewal.

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