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!
Will suboxone disqualify me from getting a courier ((DOT) job with FedEx?
@Tommy
Make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor explaining the need for the meds you are taking. In general suboxone is a disqualifier, unless the doctor can explain why you take it and for how long you have been on those meds. Also explain to the CME the type of work you will be doing.
Do u need a A1c test in wv or just a urin test?
@Wendell
All depends on what you are looking for.
I currently have digestive issues that require me to cook all my own food. I basically have to cook everything down into a soup in order to be able to digest it, and I have difficulty digesting carbs and fats. Can I pass the physical with this? (Yes, I am aware this sounds like a hassle on the road, but I always just put everything in an ice chest and that works out fine.) It doesn’t affect my energy levels or ability to function in any way.
@Daniel
It sounds like you have everything under control, and should not have any problems passing the examination. Just make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation and medication usage and you should be OK.
I have have been driving commercial vehicles since 2005. I have a class A CDL with tankers, doubles and triples and HAZMAT endorsements. In Feb 2015, I was injured on the job with a herniated disk between L5/S1 and 2 bulging disks between L3/L4 and L4/L5. Due to this injury, I now have degenerative disk disease as well as numbness/weakness in my left leg and 50% or less range of motion. My job requires me to lift 100 lbs from the ground, over my head, so I know that is out of the question but am i able to pass a DOT Physical? I am unable to sit or stand in the same position for any longer then an hour. I realize this may be a dumb question, but my workers comp doctor has released me for work, saying i have reached MMI, leaving me with permanent impairment rating of 7%. Since i haven’t been able to work since Feb of 2015, i cant really afford to take a DOT physical and fail, leaving me where i’m already at.
Thanks for you help…
@Dan
Based on your description of your condition and symptoms, you would not be able to pass an interstate DOT medical examination.
You might check with your local drivers license department and see what your state variances might be and see if you could possibly drive intra-state only.
My husband passed everything on his DOT exam but his blood pressure was over 140 and was given a 3 month card. He’s always passed before and was given a letter to give to his PCP and get checked out and return with comment from PCP with 3 readings. The letter says a medical card would be given if the readings are in good range. My husband has passed with PCP, no meds was given, changed his diet and loss 20 lbs. He’s schedule an appointment with DOT examiner. Does he have to take exam again to get card or the examiner just extend card, since his PCP sign off.
@Trina
Unfortunately the new FMCSA form system does not allow a medical card/examination to be extended.
This means that the examiner has to start a new Medical Examination Report MCSA-5875 from scratch.
Reporting the results of the “new examination” into the FMCSA online database, supersedes previous reports.
Your husband can go back to the original examining office, and you may be able to get them to do the “new examination” without charge or at a reduced charge, but this will still entail extra work for them.
Otherwise your husband may go to any medical examiner for a new physical exam.
But the system now forces it to be a “new examination.”
When a physician asks you to stand on your tip toes during a CDL physical, what is he looking for?
@Christine
Neurological input to the lower extremities. It’s a test for proper nerve conduction into the feet and lower extremities.
Is it stand?or walk on your on your tip toes which one is required ?
@Jim
Walk on heels and toes.
(Driving in TN) I am blind in my left eye, and will be driving a vehicle under 10,000 lbs. I have to get a DOT exam and a F-endorsement on my drivers license. My question is, will I pass the exam?
@Michael
If everything else is considered ‘fit for duty’, then all you will need is a vision waiver after you complete the intra-state only medical certificate examination.
If I have an A1c of 9.1 can I be failed for my medical card renewal for another year?
@Will
If you are spilling sugar into your urine during the DOT examination, you will be given a very short card, maybe, to get your medical condition under control. If it is high on the urine test then you will be disqualified until you have your condition under control.
What if you take glipazide which cause sugar in your urine?
@John
Then bring in your last A1c with you along with your medical release form from your prescribing doctor. The CME needs to have all of the available information to make the best possible decision in your case.
I am looking to get a DOT physical this week for a job delivering box trucks all over the U.S., but had a question first. I have a hernia, prostate infection, and diverticulitis which has turned into a fistula perforating my bladder. My blood pressure typically runs high as well, around 160/95. I am on medication for the prostate and divertic, which is supposed to keep pain at bay. I still get shooting pain a couple times a day in my under carriage if you know what I mean which I take ibuprofen to get rid of, more recently I have been getting really cold and weak once or twice a day. My urologist said I need surgery to repair the hernia, and surgery to take out the infected part of my colon from the divertic. I had a DOT physical in 2014 before all of these medical isssues, and bp was too high. They let me lay down with the lights off for 10 minutes, took it again, and JUST passed with 140. Will any of these medical problems prevent me from passing my DOT physical excluding the high bp?
@Chris
You do not qualify to pass a DOT medical certification. You must be determined as ‘fit for duty’ and right now you don’t qualify.
Go get the things done to get your health back and then go for the examination.
I am working on getting my CDL for the first time. I went to get a DOT physical and the Dr I went to seemed more interested in rushing me out the door and taking my money. He took my blood pressure immediately after I walked in the door while i was standing. My arm raised above my heart. He would not take my blood pressure again and did not even finish the physical. If i decided to got to another examiner for a second opinion and more importantly a complete physical would this be considered Dr shopping.
@Casey.
No, you have the right to a second opinion.
You also have the right to have a properly done examination, and if you have a problem with the first doctor you could file a complaint with the FMCSA / National Registry.
Hello Casey:
I too am planning my DOT physical soon this week as of 5/24/16. I am here in Denver, Co., and curious where you are and if I may, the Doctors name and location so I don’t get sent or see him/her. I think you get my email address, so please let me know soon.
Thanks,
Jim