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!
Not passing dot physical exam negate your class b license? I have mild sleep apnea. I didn’t have numbers up to pass my exam. Is my license affected, or still active?
@John
You will need to check with your state drivers license department for that answer.
I have 20/50 vision in my right eye, and it can’t get better than that. 20/20 in left and 20/20 together..can I get cdl?
@Alex
You would need to acquire a visual waiver before you could pass the class A medical examination. Your state DLD should have that information available to you. Also you may consider a intra-state driving license.
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and anxiety. I was prescribed flexiril and .5 my xanax to be taken as needed. My flexiril is only taken before bed to alleviate muscle stiffness and the xanax is only to be taken when in a situation that is anxiety inducing (ie large groups of people, flying, when in enclosed spaces) I have been driving for 7 years, 2 of which have been while on these medications, event free. The med examiner declined to reissue my card stating that I could not be on these meds. I have supporting documentation from my primary stating that these drugs have had no adverse effects and are being taken appropriately. I can’t afford to lose my dot card and I would like to stay on my medications as they are working well for me. Can I go to another ME? Can I dispute her findings? I provided the forms requested and she asked me nothing about my usage, the need or anything.
@ Michael
Try getting a medical release form from your prescribing doctor. The CME needs more information before he will be able to qualify you. The medical release form should provide all the information that the CME needs.
Question; I had been on Suboxone for pain. I got on that because I was on vicodin now and then and everytime I stopped vicodin, I went thru withdrawals. My Dr said Suboxone will help with pain, but also make vicodin withdrawals go away. She was right, but then once I went for my DOT re-cert, the Dr said I have to get off Suboxone.
I went thru a month of hell to get off Suboxone. Dr didn’t tell me that it also has a brutal withdrawal. Now, Im on Extra Strength Tylenol. (Doesn’t help much, but it’s a approved med.)
I got a letter from my Dr stating I am no longer on Suboxone and gave it to the DOT clinic that will be doing my Re-cert. The Dr said the letter is fine.
Now, when I go for my re-cert physical, am I going to be treated like some special case and have to explain my past meds, take special urine tests and all?
A friend that drives said, they may have flagged my DOT file, and I may always have to take the 5 panel DOT test, along with a Suboxone test whenever I have a random or re-cert. Not requested by employers, but as precaution by DOT!
Any truth to this? I really don’t feel it’s fair to be treated like a risk! I did what I have to do, and am now 100% compliant!
Thx for any input!
@Red
Since there is no drug testing during the DOT examination, then there is no real way to flag you for anything other than health related conditions.
Since you have a note from your primary explaining your situation, then there is no need to fear anything.
And as long as you are clean or have a doctor’s prescription for any medications that you are taking, then during a drug screen for randoms or pre-employment, again there is no problem here. Only if there is a positive and unexplained drug test would there be any issues.
I’ve been thinking about trying to get my CDL soon, but I just wanted to see if anyone could give me some advice. I have had kidney stones in the past; would that cause me to fail a DOT Physical? Roughly, how much does a DOT Physical cost? Lastly, is there any way I can get a CDL while I’m only 20 years old? Any information would be helpful and thank you in advance.
@Jeff
You can not get a Class A interstate driver license at the age of 20. Kidney stones are not a an issue which would totally restrict you and check with any of the doctors on the DOTPhysicalDoctor.com web-site for general pricing
I have arthritis in my left knee and it locks up when I walk or after I sit for a while and it is painful for.a few minutes afterwards, does this mean I can’t have a CDL.
@Steve
If you can perform the duties of a CMV operator, then you are good to go.
If you cannot perform the duties, then you may want to downgrade to an intra-state driver.
I am interested in getting my CDL but I donated one of my kidneys to my brother who was in renal failure. Will having only one kidney disqualify me from passing my physical?
@Luke
No, as long as there are no residual issues.
Get a medical release form completed by your primary explaining what the situation is, and you shouldn’t have any major problems.
Hi I have been recently considered permanently disabled do to loosing my ability to speak clearly because of the lose of my tongue to oral cancer I currently have a class a cdl in the state of Pennsylvania and a valid dot physical card that expires in February of 2015 I was an owner operator and would like to keep my cal valid if possible so I can at least drive my truck to shows since I previously put a ton of work in it dressing it up would I be able to take another physical and retain my license if so what do I need to do any info would be greatly appreciated again thank you for any help you can give me
@Jeremy
Get your doctors to complete your medical release form before you go for the examination. This will answer most of the questions that the DOT examiner will have.
You will need to be able to communicate with the examiners. You may take someone to speak for you, but also consider how you will communicate while out on the road. Your issue will cause lots of questions, so be prepared. Good Luck
I have a pacemaker and doctors note says it was used to control neurocardiogenic syncope, will this disqualify my cdl license.
@Gregg
You should not have any issues. Make sure you have your medical doctor complete your medical release form before you go for your DOT examination. Your card should be good for a one year at the time re-certification.
Was told examiner will not sign off on Med card due to migraine headaches I had over 1 years ago. I guess he spoke to my primary care Dr. and was told i lose vision when get a headache which is not true. Can I go to another facility and get another exam? I just won’t mention that i used to get headaches.
@David
Be truthful first, lying or misleading on the DOT form can cost you your commercial medical card.
So, have your primary doctor fill out your medical release form for you before you go for your DOT examination. That should be all you need.
i was wandering how we go about applying for a insulin waiver i have been driving for 25 years and my type 2 diabetes may be requiring me to get on some stronger medication and i have to be able to drive to feed my family thanks
@Brian
Get information directly from FMCSA at this link – Diabetes Exemption Application.
I went to CARENOW in Grapevine Texas. They disqualified me for a DOT Medical Card do to my BMI being “44” saying that I had to have a Sleep Study done. After giving me this information which upset me, they took my blood pressure which was 142/94. I have never been diagnosed by my Primary Care Provider for high blood pressure. I was worked up about the BMI issue. They told me that if I did the study and went back to my Primary Care Provider for the blood pressure, they will give me a 3 month card but not until then. My Card expired on 10/02/2014 and my employer is threatening me with termination if I dont get a card soon.
@Michael
Somebody put you between a rock and a hard place. There is no regulation regarding BMI and sleep apnea.
So what to do next is go somewhere else to get your medical card. Blood pressures need to be below 140 /90, that’s a regulation.
i had a previous history of sleep apnea . after losing 47 pounds ihad another sleep study which stated ; 1mild sleep apnea overall.2moderate obstructive sleep apnea-mainly supine position related.(even though i never sleep on my back).3 NO osa in left lateral position(which is the side i always sleep on anyway).Am I going to have to wear a cpap device for the rest of my carreer even though I don’t need it.The company doc gave me a 90 day license and said i have to come back with a 90 day cpap proof of compliance(smart card). please help me out. my device is broken and i can’t get an appointment for a new one until nov. 23.
@Stephen
If your primary doctor feels that the CPAP is no longer needed, then get him to complete your medical release form for you and take it with you when you go back for your DOT physical.
If you have a choice, you may consider going someplace else for your DOT exam. Good Luck
Son just had DOT physical last week but injured right knee and company wants him to have another physical. He heard a pop in his knee when injury occurred. ..no swelling. Bruising. Redness but walks with a limp and pain when knee twisted side to side…just lost health insurance on 22nd r/t turning 26. Just called back to work prior to injury. Able to walk and drive can’t afford to be off work now but is it possible to pass physical and continue to work
@Terry
If he can perform the duties of a CMV operator and do them safely, then he should be good to go.
The examination is about medical fitness for duty and safety for both the driver and the public at large.
I have high blood pressure from the year 2000 up to now my doctor has it under control but when I go to do my physical it’s always high. I went took my physical the doctors assistant did all the readings every but my blood erasure was good she droped the thermometer on the floor said that’s funny it already took the reading the blood pressure machine stoped half way thru taking the reading then started again took a bad reading I should of had a heart attack rite there for what it read she did it another time couldn’t figure out what it was so I got my card for 90 days I never seen the so called certified doctor was told come back show 140/90 I’d get it for a year . Well I went back 88 days later after seeing my doctor once a week every thing was good.the doctor assistant took blood pressure 1 reading to high the next good I only revenues my car for 10 mounths .i never seen do called certified doctor . This is wrong .if a assistant can do my physical why can’t my doctor she is better suited to do it than a rookie wanna be doctor. It’s like going over the scale with your truck getting a dot check u better just shut up and take what u get or your screwed all people with a medical problem should get together and sue the dot for trying to take away our jobs most of them can’t even drive a truck and cannot pass a dot physical so let’s get this started.i wonder why their is a shortage of truck drivers??. If they take your job they should automatic give you disability your trying to work after all iv been driving for 23 yrs and I like it.oh by the way I’m still alive.thanks for your time.edward Reeh .
@Edward
If you feel that you have been treated wrongly, then you need to take this up with the FMCSA. They have a site on their website that allows you to enter into conflict and report such strange goings on. Good Luck
My husband is blind in one eye is this going to prevent him from driving his working truck ?
@Lisa
Each state is different. If he has been able to drive within your state, then there are no new changes which would effect him. But ideally, check with your state Drivers License Department to confirm.
I just recently had an eye exam with 20/10 corrected vision in 1 eye and am blind in the other. I have a full field of vision and can see objects 1/2 the size of a normal person with 20/20 vision. I have been blind in my right eye since 1971 and have adapted well over the years. I have passed the DOT physical with flying colors, have a very clean driving record, NO criminal history, and a very clean drug screen. I have had a driver license since 1976. I will be driving OTR delivering new vehicles such as UPS and FED EX trucks, small bucket trucks and such with only a chauffeurs license. Can someone please tell me why I need a vision waiver to get DOT certified? A person 60-70-80 years old can go buy a 35ft. motor home, under 26,000#, hook a tow car up and drive across country on a standard license. This just seems strange to me. Gonna take 60-90 days to get a waiver if at all….
I have class A Hazmat/Tanker in Ohio. I just lost my job and insurance. My medical card was a 3month card. The examiner wanted me to get a sleep apnea test done before he would give me new card. What can I do to get a sleep apnea test without insurance and is it really a required law yet.
@Ohio
The sleep apnea screening issue has caused confusion for many – medical examiners and drivers.
We have extensive information on this subject. Start with our FAQ – Sleep Disorders. Then read blog articles to understand the sleep apnea screening issue and how to know if you have OSA.
We do not have referral resources for sleep apnea testing.
We recommend you continue to investigate this issue and take action if you have reasonable risk of sleep apnea, before it becomes a problem for maintaining your CDL.
I have a herniated disc in L4 and L5 and some deterioration. I am in pain most of the time but it doesn’t stop me it can just slow me down. Will this stop me from passing the DOT physical? I was also told they put you through a stress test having you do pushups and situps . I have never been able to do a push up and not because of my back and sit-ups I can no longer do. Will this stop me from passing as well? Thank you for answering in advance.
@Karole
As long as you can perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle operator, then you should not have any issues.
Only certain companies are requesting the sit-ups and push-ups. It is not a part of the standard DOT medical examination.
Hi I recently went through surgery for oral cancer and they had to place a tracheostomy tube in my throat because of swelling so I could breath and have been told that it could be there for the rest of my life I currently have a class A CDL in the state of Pennsylvania with a valid DOT physical card which expires by June or July of 2015 would I be able to pass a DOT physical if the tracheostomy was in permanent and if I would what would I need to pass any help would be greatly appreciated
@Jeremy
Once you have healed completely, get your medical release form completed by your primary doctor and you should not have any major problems.
I had surgery for a vascular blockage in one of my legs and have been cleared to return to work by my surgeon, but DOT regulations state I have to wait three months before I am medically certified to drive (Class B). My job basically demands I drive. Is there any way to appeal or rectify this? Can my doctor intercede on my behalf?
@Ken
The main issue here is that the FMCSA has decided that following any surgery that has to do with any vascular system has the potential to be a safety issue. So to protect all parties involved, they require a 3 month waiting period. I don’t think that having your doctor intercede here is going to do much good. This is a regulation (law) not a guideline. Also make sure when you do redo your medical examination that you have your medical release form completed by your primary doctor.