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!
Need to know about sleep apnea numbers for cdl physical
You need to provide a printed report from your cpap machine showing that you have used it for at least 4hrs/day for at least 70% of the time for the last 90 days leading up to your physical. Most machines will compute this report automatically and allow you to print it at home via Bluetooth. Phone apps for your brand of machine will help make this process even easier, just fyi. Good luck!
First of all , I live in VA. My DOT medical card expired in July 2022. Is there any extension or how long do I have to get it renewed.
@ Debra H
DOT/FMCSA grace period extension until the end of August, so you have time to get it done now.
is there a temporary renewal card I can request. My drs appointment is a week after my medical examiners card expires Can someone give some advice!!!!!!! I cant get appointment sooner.
@ Lloyd B
DOT/FMCSA has extended the grace period until the end of August, so there is time. Just get the medical certification examination done and get a copy to your states drivers license department as soon as you finish.
I just went to renew my Illinois DOT physical exam at a CVS minute clinic. (First time I used them.) First, upon checking-in she wasn’t sure if she wanted to take me for a dot physical because I am 6 1/2 months pregnant. I didn’t understand why that would stop her, but nonetheless made me wait until she phoned several managers. She got no reply but gave me my physical which I passed with flying colors. Not a single mark against me. She gave me my medical card, however, restricted my renewal to be rechecked in one year rather than two. When I asked why, she had said “only fair cause you’re pregnant.” I said “to me that’s sort of unfair and sort of discriminative if I don’t have anything wrong.” She got immediately defensive. I said, “I’m just trying to figure out why you think I need to be checked again is there something you found wrong?” She admitted, “no…but a lot can happen in the last three months of pregnancy.” She then informed me that these decisions were on her discretion and she did not have to answer me any further. The forms and papers she showed me show no other reason for the year restriction renewal other than “current pregnancy.” This is why I don’t get a two-year certificate. When I inquired her why I would have to come back in a year -9 months after pregnancy? She again claimed because in the last three months of my pregnancy many things could happen to me, she named several unfortunate things… I said, “many things could happen to anybody in their future, but this would mean the state would want to view any woman after having a child then. This is not a medical problem you need to review. This would cause me and extra exam and extra charge for no reason other than having a baby.” She stated that have a medical condition and we won’t be discussing it further and walked away.
I feel I was discriminated due to my pregnancy. I have to take an extra test and pay the extra $120 again in one year when there’s nothing wrong with me and definitely won’t be pregnant a year from now. I feel as soon as she realize she had done something wrong she defensively wanted out of the conversation rather than fixing the obvious error. I have gone through all of Illinois state statutes medical requirements… Am I wrong here? You cannot restrict a woman from her two-year certificate just because she’s pregnant, especially if she has passed all tests .. right??
@ SadSarah
You are correct and the CME is correct in that she has the discretion on the final decision making process. Next year, go somewhere else for your DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.
Can I take a dot physical while I’m short term disability? My card issued in illinois, which expires in a few days. Is there any ramifications to having my medical card expire?
@ Stan
No, you are not qualified to take a medical certification examination while on disability. DOT/FMCSA has extended the grace period to the end of August.
My husband is a cdl driver and we just found out he has a cancerous mass on his colon. He since has got the mass removed but has to do 6 months of Chemotherapy.
Will he still be able to have his CDL while having the treatments these next 6 months? Also does having Cancer disqualify a person from obtaining and/or keeping their CDL?
@ Krystie C
His CDL is a state issued document, so most likely he will continue to hold it. Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl, so make sure his medical card stays updated until his chemo is completed.
I have a violation at the clearing hose will i still able to renew my medical card?
@ Luis
Most likely.
I just got my medical certificate so I can work for fedex am I suppose to go to the dmv to get the small dot card for my wallet or can I get it online
@ Jon
You should have been provided a medical card at the end of the examination.