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 am legally blind (but have the eye chart memorized), B/P of 175/220, acute Narcolepsy, and have severe anger issues which resulted in a couple of traffic tickets for aggressive driving while chasing some fool that gave me road rage. My question is: Will this affect me getting my CDL or passing the physical? kidding!!!
@Brad
Trying to memorize that eye chart after lack of sleep, probably caused the high BP. And a combination of all that – no wonder you have anger issues. Kidding!!!
If you fail a D.O.T. physical recertification how long do you have to wait before you can take it again
@Anthony
It will depend on the reasoning for the original disqualification.
Hello I currently have my cdl license, but my dot medical card is expired and im trying to see if I card go get certified for another dot physical card, so I can start back driving truck over the road. But I miss one on the eye exam but I can see all the signs on the road n trucks sign what can I do to obtain my dot card ,so I can support my family better
@Samuel
If I read into this, you are saying you are missing one eye? If that’s the case, then you need to apply to the FMCSA for a vision waiver. You will need to pass the FMCSA medical certificate examination and will need to have a skills performance examination to make sure you are OK to drive. So examination first, waiver second and skills test for the waiver.
I got one good eyes do one okay cricket eye the dmv didn’t want to pass me because I only was able to read the letter chart with my left eye and when I cover the left eye my right eye I wasn’t able to read that chart well after explaining that I can’t see perfect the Dmv clerk from my right side she told me she can’t issue me a driver license then I told her I can see perfect I using both my eyes I read the smallest letter column in the chart. Then the clerk ask me to take a different test, had me walk to a vision testing machine were she had me read the lines and dime the lighting of the letters and I pass them all then ask the dmv supervisor that I read them fast and loud then agree to give me my class c but I have a class a that i only need to renew my medical exam and it will be valid if I don’t I will have to down grade but I don’t want to pay a doctor 90$ to fail my vision test unless they do the same test as the dmv using the vision testing machine. Should I try to validate my class a again or forget about it?
@Tony
FMCSA regulations require that be able to see 20/40 or better in both eyes together AND 20/40 or better with each eye individually, with or without correction (glasses or contact lenses). As a class A driver that will be the standard with no exceptions, unless you go for the vision waiver through the FMCSA. Or you might check with your local drivers license department and see what the requirements are for a class A driver intra-state only.
I was diagnosed with depression at age 16 been dealling with it on and off. I neen admitted twice for suicidal ideations, and then diagnosed with bipolar depression about a yr ago. I took meds for while klonopin and latuda, but am currently off of them. Will this disqualify me from passing a DOT physical. I am not getting a CDL just have to pass physical for driving position chauffeurs license.
@ Barbra
Make sure to take a medical release form from your doctor. It will answer the questions that the examiner has. Also make sure you explain what your driving position is and that you are not trying for a class A OTR driving position. Good Luck
Hi there. My husband is trying to get his medical certificate to drive for UPS in the state of CT. In 2011, he had a brain tumor, which was causing partial absence seizures. He has since had it resected, underwent radiation, and chemotherapy. He has been stable with no growth for the last four years. He has also not had any further seizure activity since the removal of the tumor. He is monitored every four months with MRIs and blood tests by a specialist. We have had his treating doctor provide medical records indicating his stability over the last four years and the absence of any further seizure activity. He was recently evaluated by a CME, and told that no matter whether he was stable or not, if the tumor is listed as “malignant” he cannot be approved. Is this true, or should we seek a second opinion? Thank you for any insight you can provide on the matter!
@ Kim
I would put all the available information together and seek a second opinion.
I got my new medical card in March. I broke my right ankle in April, no surgery needed. Will I need to get a new medical card before I can drive a commercial vehicle? My doctor says I can return to work on June 15th.
@Rick
If the accident took you from behind the wheel, you need a new medical examination to determine your ‘fit for duty’ status. You might want to take the medical release from your doctor with you. It answers most of the CME’s questions before it becomes an issue.
I had neck surgery can I pass
@ Milton
If you are released to return to work and can pass the physical requirements of a CMV operator, then you should be good to go.
I recently failed my DOT physical because of blood in my urine, microscopic not visible. The urine analysis was performed using a urine dipstick. The blood level was listed as 50. I have two questions:
1) How is the doctor able to quantify the blood level, in my case 50, from a dipstick test?
2) What level of blood, if any, is considered acceptable under DOT guidelines?
@Jason
Dipsticks have a variable color which determines the amount of blood in the urine.
Fact is there should never be any blood in your urine, so it needs to be checked out by your primary doctor. If he finds that this is somewhat normal for you, then he needs to fill out a medical release form for you stating what his finding were and what his expectations are.
I have been a drive for 25 years and recently I had a acute stroke. It only effected my balance just a little bit. I was able to walk and function completely on my own two weeks later. If I continue to strengthen myself, and my doctor release me back to work, do you think I will have a good chance of receiving a medical card? And is there a certain waiting time period for all stroke patients that drive interstate? #iknowi’mblissed…..
@Silvia
To continue to drive interstate, you are going to have a one year waiting period (based on where the stroke was located in your brain) before you will qualify for an interstate medical certificate.
You may be able, once your doctor clears you to go back to work, to qualify within your state to drive intra-state only, while you go through the waiting period.