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!
Do they drug test for fed med cards if you were already tested for pre employment(dot urinalysis)?
@ Rob
No drug testing for DOT/FMCSA medical cards.
We are so confused. I have spent hours with FMCSA and DOT in Ohio.
This is for a CLASS B only licence. (for local dump truck driving ONLY)
When we originally researched before we got into a 100k business loan and got a 60k dump truck we were under the assumption that for OHIO if you are intAstate and not leaving state lines for category 3 self certify you do not have to have a DOT medical card on file. Ohio still states you dont have to have it on file. But the wording sounds like you need it just doesn’t have to be filed with Ohio. Can anyone clarify this for me. The wording from everywhere is so different and there is no SOLID straight forward answered from either place.
The issue is my boyfriend although only 35 has a defibrillator from a issue when playing basketball in college. Although great now he still has it in place out of precautionary reasons. FMCSA it looks like this is an auto fail but if ohio doesn’t require it for intAstate driving can he still obtain his Ohio restricted to in state cdl class B?
So anyone from Ohio.
Can we obtain our CLASS B restricted intrAstate ONLY licence without a DOT medical card or with a failed medical card due to having a defibrillator?
@ SuperStressed B
DOT/FMCSA medical certification was and is established for class A over the road, long haul drivers. As we understand it, each state has a set of guidelines and requirements/regulations governing intra-state only drivers from class A down to standard auto license.
In our state, they do not require a medical card be on file with the state, like a class A driver, but if stopped by a DOT officer, he may want to see a medical certification card.
In most states a medical card is required for ANY vehicle that is used for commerce (to make money for someone). The medical examiner should know both the federal DOT/FMCSA regulations and his states regulations. In most cases the states regs are more lenient than federal DOT/FMCSA. Your state drivers license department (DLD) should be able to provide those requirements for you. In many of the states a defibrillator is not a disqualifier for a lesser class cdl, like a class B. So, your best answer is going to come from your states DLD, since this is not a federal DOT/FMCSA medical certification.
After I renewed my DOT medical card last year I have learn that I have cervical spinal stenosis. My doctors prescribe tramadol. When I went to renew my DOT medical card last week. The examiner told me I couldn’t be prescribe this to hold my medical card. Is this true , in NC ? Even my doctor said if taken at night , it wouldn’t cause any issue to drive my school bus. There isn’t any other medication that helps. I have drove for 21 years now. Would hate to give it up Thank you !
@ Brenda
For a class A cdl, under DOT/FMCSA, the standards are more strict. If you are carrying a lesser class cdl, then you fall under your states guidelines and variances, not federal. Check with your local drivers license department for guidance. And make sure your medical examiner knows your cdl class and understands the difference between state and federal DOT/FMCSA regulations.
Juan V.
Hello I have my CLD and Diabetes type II, Itake metformina, I know I had my sugar a little bit high, and they suspended mi California Driver License, but I want to know how high or how low can be to get my CDL release from my primary doctor? thank You.
@ Juan V
That will be best answered by your local drivers license department, since your cdl is a state issued document.
I’m a resident in Illinois and I have type 2 diabetes under control. Do I need my A1C report to renew my Medical examiners certificate?
@ Gary K
Yes, and if you are a class A cdl holder, there is a new form you will need from your doctor.