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.
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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!
Can blood in urine cause you not to get a health card
@Myron
It will raise questions and may require a follow-up after your doctor determines the reasoning behind the blood in the urine.
Yes I just went for my DOT physcial and was giving a 3 month extended license for a 140/93. When I go to my regular physician it’s 130/86 area. Can I get a waiver from my regular doctor and just get a year extension even if I don’t have a blood pressure problem.
Plus too the company I drive for stays within the NY state lines do I still need a DOT card even if I stay with in state. Because I know some people who do same kind of driving and aren’t required a DOT card. Is it a company thing for cheaper insurance?
@Donald
In any state that you drive a vehicle that is used for commerce, you need a medical card, even for intra-state driving. So To make doubly sure I would check with your local drivers license department and ask the same question. There may be some variability from state to state.
@Donald
It’s not the way the FMCSA would have it. So it’s doubtful that this will work for the CME. Make sure that the examiner takes multiple reading during your examination. All you need to do is relax and get a decent reading, maybe even rest a bit before you go in.
Other tips see this article: Blood Pressure Tips During The DOT Physical Exam
No you must pass during the physical….period!
I take metaphormin for diet help will that fail a dot physical
@Dan
No, but it will reduce your physical to one year. If it is being used for diet only, make sure you bring a note from your doctor explaining the medications use and that it is not for diabetes.
My friend was treated for hep c 9years ago and was a dot driver at the time and was always recertified. Now they are gaining new employment and are wondering will this condition disqualify them? And if so is there any recourse?
@TP
This should not be an issue, unless there are other symptoms that limit his ability to perform his duties as a commercial motor vehicle operator.
My former primary care doctor(my old pediatrician) is now doing DOT physicals and I have his wife as a primary care doctor now. When I originally went for my DOT card I was told I needed to have a sleep test done. My card has since then expired. Because they both know my health background will I still need the sleep test done? My doctor and former doctor say I do not have sleep apnea even though I haven’t had the test
@Adam
There were no new rules regarding sleep study and if your old doctors know you, and knows you do not need a sleep study, then go see them to renew your DOT physical.
Via titration I am weaning myself off of zolpidem. Although I do have an MD’s script and can probably get a signed statement from my doctor about my use of zol. for sleep, if I do a urine and/or h-follicle test, is zolpidem a disqualifying medication for med card? Thank you for a reply.
@George
Yes, it is classed as a disqualifier for the DOT interstate drivers. If it is possible to replace this medication with something else that does not have the same negative results as what you are taking, then by all means make the change.
I’m a driver. 5 years ago, Found out I had undiagnosed sleep apnea. one night, my wife told me My body was jerking and I was struggling to breathe in my sleep. She called ambulance. They said it could have been seizure in my sleep due to physical exhaustion but wasn’t sure. I have no history of those. I Went to neuro doc to follow-up. He said its sleep apnea. Lack of oxygen caused body jerking and a fit in my sleep. Got treated for sleep ap and seizure. Neuro doc said he only treated for sezuire to be safe, since I was a driver. Been healthy and using cpap daily and no problems for five years. When time for my physical a few months ago, I checked seizure and sleep ap On DOT physical form like I always did, even though I’m not sure it was a seizure. New DOT doc I never had before, hand wrote a note on form and put I had seizure and I was epileptic, even though i had no history. I gave dot physical form to boss because it was mandatory and then got fired. Did DOT doc violate my hippa rights?
@Tony
CME simply wrote down what he had to to substantiate the physical being done. You giving the employer a complete copy of your medical examination was permission for the company to read and act on any issues. So the answer to your question is No, the CME had to do what he did.
Try this: Make sure you get a medical release form from your neurologist stating that you are being treated for sleep apnea. If he feels that he must continue treating for seizures as a pre-cautionary measure, then you will be very limited in what type of driving you will be able to do. Another option could be to check with the FMCSA and see what the requirements for a seizure waiver would be and then follow up in that direction. You simply need to clarify what you are truly being treated for and how serious the issues are.
I am a diabetic kidney dialysis patient looking for a part time job that requires a CDL license with airbrake and passenger endorsement. Do these conditions disqualify me for medical reasons?
@Tom
Check with your state first.
If you are going to be driving intra-state only, your state will have the paperwork you will need. As an interstate driver, you would not be qualified.
I have just been diagnosed with blood clots in my legs and put on blood thinner for now, will this prevent me from passing a dot physical.
@jim
Once you have the condition completely under control and a medical release form from your doctor in hand you may be OK. Lots will depend on what your doctors have to say about you sitting for extended periods of time as a driver. Also the CME will have a lot of questions too. SO get things under control and go from there.
Back in May of this year I had pulmanary edema and had found out I had a kidney blockage, had a stent put in June. I am now been released to go back to work the end of August. I released my records to the dot Doctor. They say his heart is a little stiff, but is on a heart med. for this . Can I get my dot. card with this.
@John
As long as you can qualify as fit for duty you should be fine. Make sure you take records and a medical release form from your doctor with you. That helps the CME in his decision making process.