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 had my CDL but I let it go a couple of years ago. I’ve been diabetic for some years now and now I’m taking Trulicity shots to help with my A1C levels. Does this hurt me in any way to not get my CDL back?
@ Lucien T
With the proper documentation you should be able to get your cdl back.
My A1C was 7.8 and now it is 6.0 and I have no logs indicating my sugar levels by the day. My endocrain is normal, vision and hearing. If my doctor writes a letter stating I’m fit to obtain my cdl DOT card. Dose the help with the medical examiner?
@ Meka
The letter will be helpful and still the CME may request additional information to help in his decision making process.
Yes, diabetes is no longer disqualifies you for a DOT. As long as you have records to prove your in compliance and your glucose monitoring is stable then you can be certified. Also just so you know if you go to your doctor and have one out of range value that will not disqualify you.
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I was wondering if seizures that are completely controlled with medication and have been for 6+ years would keep me from being able to pass a DOT physical, I am considering getting my CDL class A to drive truck but want to know this information before hand so that I don`t go through this process to find out in the end that I can`t pass the physical. I am wanting to do this as a career change to better provide for my family, thanks for any information you can provide.
@ Bryel J
You will not pass the DOT medical certification examination while taking, or have taken in the past, seizure medications. Check with your local DLD and inquire about intra-state only commercial driving. That way you fall under the states variances and not the feds regulations.
I take terazosin for bph will I be denied from driving
@ Gregory M
Your medications are going to raise questions. If you have a medical release form from your prescribing doctor and you have been on this medication for some time, then you may be OK. Your medication has some side effects that will cause questions, so be prepared to supply supporting documentation.
You can be certified but I need more information to answer your question. Did you have one seizure? What is your diagnosis and how long have you had seizures. When was your last seizure? All these things affect our decision to certify or not and we don’t make up the rules they are federally regulated but I do have some discretionary control as long as I document why I may go outside a specific guideline and that would be based on your history.
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I’ve been recently diagnosed with Pollycethemia Vera, it’s a blood born cancer. Will this disqualify me for my physical?
@ Kevin
Only if it effects your ability to safely operate a cmv.
Can you pass dot exam having narcolepsy?
@ Lee
Narcolepsy posses a serious safety risk to a driver and the public at large. FMCSA guidelines do not allow for this condition and you would not pass the DOT medical certification process.
You cannot pass a DOT with narcolepsy. You can take medications for this and I can make a determination based on outcomes and having you wear a monitor to show that you are not at a high risk. But this one is a touchy one and I would need more medical information to properly state yes or no.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I have an employee who was denied his medical card because he recently passed a kidney stone and still has one stone remaining. The doctor said that passing a kidney stone could be incapacitating and that he will not be medically cleared until he passes the stone or has a procedure to remove it. Can my employee be denied a healthcard because of kidney stones?
I don’t know but this sounds ridiculous. There are so many people willing to work and it seems they are being blocked. Good Luck with this. I would look into it. There has to be some way to pass the test and the stone.
G
This one is discretionary and I understand why the doctor stated that. I might give you 30 days of not driving and let you pass the stone as they can make you incapable of driving should it start passing while you’re driving. I would need more information.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I was deny recertification on my dot physical because I have major depression. And for me to get recertify they told me I had to get a therapist to obtain me for 60 days or release me. The doctor only mark me with depression that happen two years ago and I’m on medication. But I do not take the medication at all cause I don’t need it. I been driving for 2 years and never been deny!!! What can I do? I need answers
If you are compliant with medication and it has been 2-years ago, based on the limited information you have given then I would probably pass you for a year. If there are factors you have not stated that could alter my decision.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I’m 41 wanting to obtain my CDL for career change. I take paxil for mild anxiety Driving is something I’ve wanted to do for years. Are there alternatives for that medication and will it not allow me to obtain.
@ William H
You will need medical documentation to provide to the DOT medical examiner. A signed medical release form from your prescribing physician.
Has anyone gone to the DOT drs and been asked to summit to a sleep apnea screening after being given a clean bill of health?
I have a slight deformity in my left leg and my right. I do not have any chronic pain from it but I do have trouble standing longer than 30 minutes. I am concerned I will not pass the DOT tests just from the way my legs look. I am concerned there might be a protocol to leg deformities and I have done as much Internet research that I can. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thank You.
In your case I would have you go out to your truck and show me you have the capability of using all actions required. If you have no deficiencies then I would pass you. It would be dependent on more information from your medical history.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
Received my medical card and the office said I can’t laminate it or it is considered invalid. Is this correct
@Michael
Not exactly. But some states are picky about not laminating cards. Also, the new Medical Certificate cannot be changed in any way or reduced to a size where any print is not legible. Some examiners still provide a tri-fold laminated card.