Drivers who come in to my office for a DOT physical exam often ask: “Why do I need a sleep study? DOT doesn’t require it.” So here is the information a driver needs to know regarding if you need a sleep study or not: The FMCSA states that DOT medical examiners should follow “best practice” […]
COVID-19 Grace Period for CDL Medical Certificates
“Is there any grace period in place for DOT Medical Cards during the COVID-19 pandemic?” This is the relief CMV drivers have been asking for as their medical cards expire during this national emergency, and today the answer is “YES“! FMCSA Update: May 26, 2021 Originally posted: March 24, 2020 FMCSA has issued both a […]
New DOT Medical Certification Forms: MCSA-5875 & MCSA-5876
This article has been updated a number of times as new information regarding Medical Examiner’s Certification has been published by FMCSA. We have left the history of this blog post, and updated the latest information at the top of the page. Medical Certification Forms MCSA-5875 & MCSA-5876 New expiration date on the forms is 11/30/2021. PDF […]
What do I need for a DOT physical exam?
Things To Prepare For Your Appointment Make sure to continue taking your prescribed medications as usual. Wear loose clothing for the physical exam. Don’t use the restroom just before your appointment. You will need to give a small urine sample for a kidney screen. This is not for a drug test. Things You Must Bring To […]
Blood Pressure Tips during the DOT Physical Exam
A professional driver asks Trucker Docs™… I usually get high BP only when this DOT physical is due!! What can I do? “ Here are some tips to manage your blood pressure and have it measure as low as possible during the exam. Each of these factors may affect your blood pressure reading a number of points: […]
February 2015 CDL Update: Hold On To Your Medical Card Paper Copy
A year ago, January 30th 2014, was the deadline for all commercial drivers to have submitted a copy of their current medical card and self-certification affidavit to their State Drivers License Agency. Each State has its own process for collecting this information and getting it into the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS). The goal is […]
Invalid DOT Medical Card – CDL Driver Ripped Off?
A commercial driver came into our office at Chiro Stop… The driver, we’ll call him Tom, comes into the office yesterday, really p*ss*d off. He had been trying to get his DOT medical card from his usual doctor. The doctor and his staff had been putting off Tom coming in for his DOT medical exam. The […]
Commercial Drivers Can Manage Sleep Apnea And Maintain Their CDL
This is Part 5 of a 5-part series on Sleep Apnea Affecting CDL Medical Certification: Part 1 – Can A DOT Medical Examiner Refuse You A Medical Card Unless You Have A Sleep Study Done? Part 2 – DOT Physical And Sleep Apnea Testing: Are Medical Examiners Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place? […]
OSA: How To Know If You Have It
This is Part 4 of a 5-part series on Sleep Apnea Affecting CDL Medical Certification: Part 1 – Can A DOT Medical Examiner Refuse You A Medical Card Unless You Have A Sleep Study Done? Part 2 – DOT Physical And Sleep Apnea Testing: Are Medical Examiners Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place? […]
Commercial Driver Awareness About The Sleep Apnea Issue
This is Part 3 of a 5-part series on Sleep Apnea Affecting CDL Medical Certification: Part 1 – Can A DOT Medical Examiner Refuse You A Medical Card Unless You Have A Sleep Study Done? Part 2 – DOT Physical And Sleep Apnea Testing: Are Medical Examiners Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place? […]