Worried about getting your DOT Medical Certificate?
Anxious about the DOT Physical Examination?
Concerned about the appointment? Will you pass or fail?
Will you need to go back for further evaluation?
Stressed about conditions like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and what this means for your future as a commercial driver?
Not sure where to find a DOT doctor?
(New Federal regulations state that after May 21, 2014, CMV drivers can get medical certificates only from a National Registry Certified Medical Examiner)
Here’s What You Need To Know:
When you know the rules you’ll be able to get your DOT Medical Certificate with as few hassles as possible.
How to be on the “same page” as the doctor, and relate the demands of your job to the physical examination.
Everything you need to bring to your appointment so you can get it done right, first time.
What to expect so there are “no surprises” during the DOT Physical Examination.
What additional information to bring if you have/had a medical condition that has restrictions.
How to go about getting the required information from your primary care physician, if necessary.
Understand the Medical Certificate qualification periods, and where you fit in.
What about waivers and exemptions.
Where to go if you still need more answers.
Find a Certified Medical Examiner that’s convenient for you.
What Drivers Are Saying…
Allen & Rita, OTR drivers, WA.
As a team driving for Landstar we found this booklet a great help to prepare for our DOT physicals.
We definitely recommend this booklet to any driver, especially new drivers who have not had a DOT physical yet!
It helped to know what to expect and what we needed to bring with us.
•••
Know Before You Go!
Eliminate The Hassles!
Don’t go to your DOT Physical Exam before you’ve read this guidebook. Prepare for everything we’ve outlined! Then it’ll just be a matter of you and a Certified Medical Examiner getting together at the appointment and checking through each item on the Medical Examination Report (Long Form).
Get It Done Right, First Time!
Have everything you need for the appointment! When you and the Medical Examiner are “on the same page”, and you have everything you need to meet all the standards and requirements, you should be done with the DOT Physical Examination and set with your Medical Certificate in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Grab a Complimentary Copy (A $15 value, free)
Know Before You Go!
I went in for dot at end of June and my pulse was 100 bpm iam 450lbs and the doctor wants me to have a skills performance evaluation but they can’t tell me where I can go take it anyone know if they do SPE from what I have read that test is for ppl who have a limb missing thanks
@Mike
I would check with your state DMV, they should be able to point you in the right direction.
I am trying to get a warehouse job. I need a DOT certificate. The doctor told my not to bother even taking the physical because I am a type 2 diabetic. Also as a precaution I take an anti-seizure medicine because I had a seizure once that may have been related to my diabetes a few years ago. I now wear an insulin pump and take my medicine and everything is under control. Do I even have a shot at getting a DOT Certificate for this warehouse job?
@Jerry
What your doctor is using as a guide is for class A long haul commercial drivers.
It sounds like you just need a medical card to operate something less. With proper documentation and knowing what your state requires, you may not have any problems.
Further research on your part will answer your question. Start with your state requirements for a medical cards based on your present license class and go from there.
Good Luck.
I recently accepted an offer from trugreenand will be driving one of their trucks. I passed a pre employment drug screen and now have to take a DOT physical. Why would I have to take two drug tests?
@Jason
There is no drug testing done during a DOT examination.
The urine test done during the DOT is just a kidney screen to test for sugar and protein. It’s done to determine that there is no early onset of conditions like high blood pressure breaking down the kidneys, or early signs of diabetes, or kidney infection.
I have been given a 3 month temporary medical card for high blood pressure but on my vison test the lady put down 20/40 in my left eye, 20/30 in both eyes and 20/50 in my right eye. Should I be disqualified or no?
@Brandon
DOT requires 20/40 at the very least – And that is in both eyes together and each eye individually.
If she wrote it down as 20/50 uncorrected and better then 20/40 corrected. No problems.
If corrected and still at 20/50, you would be disqualified as an interstate driver.
See also FAQ – Vision
I recently hired a warehouse worker who was supposed to get a drivers medical card so that he could drive company vehicles and trucks. When he went to take the physical for the card he was told that he could not get it because he was only 19 years old. Is this correct? Is there an age restriction on getting a driver’s medical card. I am in Pennsylvania. I would appreciate any help
@Eric
I do not believe there is an age limit on acquiring a medical card.
I will only assume the examiner was indicating that your driver can not acquire an interstate CDL at the age of 19.
Federal law permits persons between 18 and 21 years of age to obtain a CDL to drive within state boundaries.
I would check with your state on this regulation.
I’ am a Miami Dade County Transit bus operator I had a defibrillator put In 2005 I been driven with It for 8 years with no problem the dade county doctor Dr. Ken Kaplan Of Mount Zion Occupation Health and my Cardiology Dr Hurwit of Adventure hospital did not have no problem as long as I EKG, Stress test ultrasound and be able to perform my job function that was the requirement for Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Hurwit I was clear to work I was clear to work In 2011 Are we DADE COUNT TRANSIT Exemption from the Dot law are I’m able to operator the bus In Miami dade county transit ? This Is Important
@Jeannie
I will begin with an assumption that you are not a class A driver or you only operate within the state of Florida.
By FMCSA rules and regulations, as a interstate (over the road) driver, you would not pass due to the defibrillator.
As an in-state driver, you fall under a different set of rules based on your state and limited to intra-state activity.
You have been cleared and done good follow-up with your care and your doctors have kept you on the road and working with the right documentation.
So unless you are about to change careers, you should check with Florida DMV to confirm that you, as a MTA driver, are still good to operate the bus.
I don’t believe there are any new changes in regards to your circumstances.
Can you get your CDL for driving bus in WI, if you have to use oxygen at night?
@Brian
Your best bet here is to check with your state DMV to answer that question.
CDL drivers can use a CPAP machine, so I’m not real sure of the question, it’s a little vague.
For more information see our FAQ on breathing.
I am starting a new job as a Indiana state certified driver instructor at a licensed truck driving school. Do I require a DOT medical examination anymore and will my self certification status be if I don’t cross state lines.
@Bill
See Indiana CDL and DOT medical card requirements.
Your new employer should also be able to confirm this.
I recently started driving and was required to get a DOT physical in March 2014. Is this physical and physical card going to be accepted after the May 21 deadline?
@TK
Yes, your medical card is valid until the expiration date on the card – even if the card was issued by a medical examiner who is not certified and on the National Registry by the May 21 deadline.
Recently had back fusion surgery at L4/L5. Another driver told me that he read somewhere on a Fmcsa site that that was a disqualifier for cdl. I can’t find anything that states either way.
@Cyril
Your surgery is not a disqualifier.
Once you are cleared to return to work, you will need to have a new medical examination completed by a DOT medical examiner. Make sure you bring any useful information for the examiner regarding your condition and any limitations. Other than that you should be good to go.
I have a rx for Xanax. I have CDL, using this rx and was told I could not use this medication and pass my dot physical? Home office in another state has no problem with me bring in this rx. Not sure if I can use the medication or not?
@Vwel
As long as you have a prescription from your primary healthcare provider and a note from him indicating your need and safe usage of this medication, then there should be no problem.
See also our FAQs on medications.
MO. class E chauffeur license. is the physical the only testing necessary?
sorry …. Is it the only thing necessary to obtain a medical card?
@Joe
I do not know for sure. I have not seen a class E chauffeur licence.
You’ll need to check with your local state DMV for that answer.
I believe that the old E licence was turned into what is now the class A. If that is the case, then all you will need is to do the physical for the medical certificate. But check for sure with your state DMV.
do you have to pass drug test
@ Chuck
At some time in your life, YES. But, during a DOT examination, you are required to pee in a cup to rule out blood, protein and sugar, for proper healthy kidney function.
I had my CDL many years ago, but let my class A license expire to follow another career path.
Now retired and looking to get back into driving again.
Issue is I had L4-L5 vertebrae fused in an operation in 2006. Since the operation I have had no issues.
Does this operation disqualify me from passing the medical screen?
@Mike
No, the surgery was done to allow you to return to work.
The DOT examiner needs to know about the surgery, but it is not a limiting factor. If you have limitations or restrictions, then there may be some limitations via the DOT examiner, but highly unlikely.
Is there a new federal guideline surrounding BMI for CDL drivers when it comes to their annual physical
@Bob
There are currently no set specifics on BMI measurement in the DOT regulations.
See FAQ at this link for similar questions that may shed more light on this often misunderstood issue.
My brother in law, who has cdl, recently had a fall and broke his neck. After surgery he has zero mobility; up, down, side to side, circular, nothing, forever. If he is cleared to drive by his physician to drive, can he pass a DOT physical in his condition?
@Sarah
A CMV driver’s job description would have him with some cervical ranges of motion – it is part of his over-all job. Most primary care physicians have no idea of what is required by the DOT or FMCSA regarding the driver and what his job entails. I do not think he would be able to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely and that puts himself and everyone around him at risk. So, no, he would not pass a DOT physical in his condition.
My fiance is a diabetic and he controls it through pills but they say that his sugar levels are showing up too high in his urine test, what should he do?
@Brandi
There should never be a sugar spill-over into urine. This is showing that his sugar is not being controlled with oral medication and diet.
He should be addressing this with a visit to his primary healthcare provider to see what is the next step and get re-educated as to how to truly control this issue. If he doesn’t, it will cost him everything in the end.
Have Flordia CDL , can I take a dot physical in California ? Would it be good for Flordia CDL?
@Jerry
The answer to your question is “Yes” AND… be careful! Be sure that the long form and medical certificate used for your examination is the standard FMCSA form.
A DOT medical card is valid nationwide so you can get certified in any state, no matter which state you have your CDL.
However, California uses their own form for CA CDLs, which is different from the form all the other states use.
For more information, see our FAQ on FMCSA regulations.
I am looking to help our CDL guys to see the understanding of what the Engery Drinks can do to you plus the understanding that this can cause you to not be able to get a passing physical. If you have anything that would help please provide anything thanks.
@Lori
This question falls outside of our area of focus so we do not have an informed response to provide.
Thank you for checking in with us.