DL 694 is the California Commercial Driver License Self-Certification Form, which the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses to learn what type of commercial motor vehicle operation a commercial driver license (CDL) holder drives in or expects to drive in. The holder selects one of four categories and signs a certification under California Vehicle Code (CVC) §20. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the DMV publishes the official form on its website.
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What is DL 694?
The California Commercial Driver License Self-Certification Form (DL 694) is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form on which a commercial driver license (CDL) holder tells the DMV which type of commercial motor vehicle operation they drive in or expect to drive in.
The form is short. Section 1, Commercial Driver Information, collects the driver license number, birthdate, name and address. The holder then selects only one self-certification category:
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI): operating or expecting to operate in interstate commerce and required to meet the qualification requirements under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 391.
- Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA): operating or expecting to operate in intrastate commerce, required to meet the same CFR Title 49 § 391 requirements, and restricted to driving commercially within California, with cargo that must originate and end within California.
- Excepted Interstate (EI): operating in excepted interstate commerce and not required to meet federal qualification requirements under CFR Title 49 § 391.
- Excepted Intrastate (EA): operating in excepted intrastate commerce and not required to meet those federal requirements.
The form states that California does not issue a commercial driver license excepted from driver qualification requirements. Section 2, Certification, is a signed statement that the information is true and correct, made with the warning in CVC §20 about false statements.
The form's opening text links the category to medical status: drivers required to have a "certified" medical status must keep a current medical examination report on file with the DMV.
Who needs to file DL 694?
Commercial driver license (CDL) holders complete this form. The DMV text printed on it says CDL holders must inform the DMV about the type of commercial motor vehicle operation they drive in or expect to drive in with their CDL.
Which box you check depends on how you drive:
- Check Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) if you operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce and must meet the CFR Title 49 § 391 qualification requirements.
- Check Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA) if you operate in intrastate commerce, must meet those requirements, and drive commercially only within California with cargo that originates and ends in California.
- Check Excepted Interstate (EI) or Excepted Intrastate (EA) if you operate in excepted commerce and are not required to meet the federal qualification requirements.
Select only one category. The form notes that California does not issue a commercial driver license excepted from driver qualification requirements.
Drivers who must have a "certified" medical status are also required to keep a current medical examination report on file with the DMV. The form does not describe any representative signing for the driver; the certification is signed by the person it names.
When to file DL 694
Complete DL 694 when you, as a CDL holder, need to inform the DMV of the type of commercial motor vehicle operation you drive in or expect to drive in. The form prints no separate due date.
The form ties the category to medical status. Drivers required to have a "certified" medical status must provide a current medical examination report to the DMV and keep it up to date. CDL holders required to have that status who fail to do so will become "not-certified" and may lose their CDL. Check the DMV for how the medical examination report is submitted; this form does not describe it.
Documents you need
- A current medical examination report on file with the DMV, for CDL holders required to have a "certified" medical status; the form says it must be kept up to date but does not say to attach it to DL 694.
How to fill out DL 694
Enter your driver license number
In Section 1, Commercial Driver Information, write your DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER and your BIRTHDATE.
Enter your full name
Fill in LAST NAME, FIRST NAME and MIDDLE NAME in the boxes provided.
Enter your address
Write your ADDRESS, CITY, STATE and ZIP CODE.
Select one driving category
Under "I certify my commercial driving is," check only one: Non-Excepted Interstate (NI), Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA), Excepted Interstate (EI) or Excepted Intrastate (EA). Read the description of each before you choose.
Read the Section 2 certification
Section 2 states that the information is true and correct and refers to CVC §20 on false statements. Do not sign unless every entry is accurate.
Sign and date the form
Sign on the line marked SIGNATURE and enter the DATE.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that one category is selected and all Section 1 boxes are filled. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and deliver it as described under How to submit.
How to submit DL 694
DL 694 can be submitted at any DMV field office or mailed to the DMV's CDL Unit.
- In person: take the completed, signed form to any DMV field office.
- By mail: send it to Department of Motor Vehicles, CDL Unit, G204, P.O. Box 944278, Sacramento, CA 94244-2780.
The form names no online submission channel, and it does not mention a fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Selecting more than one self-certification category; the form says to select only one.
- Choosing Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA) while driving outside California; NA is limited to commercial driving within California with cargo that originates and ends there.
- Leaving Section 2 unsigned or undated; the certification is not complete without the signature and date.
- Letting your medical examination report on file with the DMV go out of date; drivers required to be "certified" become "not-certified" and may lose their CDL.
- Signing a statement that is not true; under CVC §20 knowingly making false statements or concealing a material fact in a document filed with the DMV is a misdemeanor.
- Mailing the form somewhere other than the CDL Unit, G204, P.O. Box 944278, Sacramento, CA 94244-2780, when you do not take it to a DMV field office.
- Leaving out the driver license number or birthdate in Section 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is DL 694?
DL 694 is the California Commercial Driver License Self-Certification Form issued by the DMV. Commercial driver license holders use it to tell the DMV which type of commercial motor vehicle operation they drive in or expect to drive in, by selecting one of four categories.
What are the four categories on the CDL self-certification form?
They are Non-Excepted Interstate (NI), Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA), Excepted Interstate (EI) and Excepted Intrastate (EA). You select only one. NI and NA apply to drivers who must meet CFR Title 49 § 391 qualification requirements; EI and EA to drivers who are not required to.
What is the difference between NI and NA on DL 694?
NI is for driving in interstate commerce; NA is for intrastate commerce. NA also restricts you to driving commercially within California, and the cargo must originate and end within California. Both require meeting the CFR Title 49 § 391 qualification requirements.
Where do I send or turn in the DL 694 form?
Take it to any DMV field office or mail it to Department of Motor Vehicles, CDL Unit, G204, P.O. Box 944278, Sacramento, CA 94244-2780. The form names no other channel.
Can I fill out DL 694 online?
You can fill out the DL 694 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not send the form to the DMV; you submit it at a DMV field office or by mail.
What happens if my medical examination is not up to date with the DMV?
CDL holders required to have a "certified" medical status who fail to provide and keep their medical examination up to date with the DMV will become "not-certified" and may lose their CDL, according to the text printed on the form.
What is the penalty for false information on the CDL self-certification form?
The form says that under CVC §20 it is unlawful to knowingly make false statements, use a false or fictitious name or conceal a material fact in a document filed with the DMV. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, county jail time or both.
Can I choose more than one category on DL 694?
No. The form says to select only one self-certification category. Choose the one that matches how you operate or expect to operate with your CDL.
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