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!
Where can I find the list of medications that candidates for dot card cannot be taking?
@Mary
No such list. It’s up to the examiner to make those decisions. If you are taking any medications, then make sure you have a doctor release form ready to go when you go for your medical certificate.
Just diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. The Doctor wants to put me on anti seizure meds (trileptal,neurontin,baclofen) he says this is the only way to stop the MASSIVE pain. I will not be on these for seizures. Can i continue to drive OTR on these meds? If i choose the surgery can i drive after a Microvascular decompression surgery it involves cutting into my head? My last option ,can i continue to drive with this diagnosis and refuse all treatment and just bear the pain?
@Carl
You’ll need to be on these medications for a while so you know what effects or side effects there are. Once you are cleared from your primary prescribing doctor, you want to have a medical release form completed by your PCP and have him explain why you are taking the meds that you are taking. The CME needs to understand that you are taking a medication for your pain condition and not for seizures. The CME must be able to support his decision regarding the medications and your condition before he can grant a medical certificate.
Do they drug test for medical cards
@keith
Drug testing is not part of the DOT physical exam.
Is that true in florida?
I only ask because i wasjust put on adderall about three weeks ago
@Nick
Drug testing is done for the employer and not the DOT medical certificate. So it will fall under your employers request for a drug screen. If you were prescribed a medication that may result in a positive drug screen, then all you need is a copy of the prescription from the prescribing doctor. The MRO may request a copy to confirm that you are taking your medications as directed.
I am taking a job in a different state as a cdl A driver. I will have to take a physical for the job. My question is if I passed the requirements for a seizure disorder in my original state then will I be held to my original state qualifications for the physical or will it be the state I’m in?
@Chris
Where is your seizure waiver from? The state does one thing and the FMCSA does another.
Also are you going to be driving interstate or intra-state? This will make a difference too.
Question my husband has never had an issue with his DOT he has a chauffeurs licence not a CDL but drives out of state so he gets his DOT but at the clinic he has a neck circumference of 17 they wont pass him because they said he has to be cleared of sleep apnea I thought that only applied to CDL drivers how much have things changed?!
@Nikki
Seems like most states grandfathered the old chauffeurs license into their CDL program.
Not sure if any states still have a chauffeurs license.
Anyway, there were no new rules or regulations regarding neck size-sleep apnea testing and passing a DOT medical examination. So unless there is sufficient reasoning for requesting a sleep study, other than it makes more money for somebody, then there is no reason for the test request.
To better understand this contentious issue see our series of articles on Sleep Apnea Screening.
Thnx to everyone at south ontario chiropractic.. Thank u Dr. Rod Melvin..
AM A HEALTHY MALE PASS EVERYTHING ON MY DOT PHYSICLE BESIDES WAX BUILDUP IN MY EAR BUT CAN HEAR NO PROBLEM DOC SAID SHE CANT PASS BECAUSE OF IT I CLEAN MY EARS WITH WAX OIL AND HYDROGEN PEROOXI AND FLUSH MANY TIMES WENT BACK TWICE I STILL HAVE PROBLEM WHAT DO I DO
@Frank
Try having your ears cleaned by a professional. Not real sure why you would be restricted from having a medical certificate if you can hear OK. But there must be some reason for with holding your card until you have your ears cleaned out by a professional.
If a person fails the exam. Does this get reported and if so to who
@Chris
Reported to the FMCSA data-base.