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 hip surgery on May 9 2014. .my orthopedic surgeon release me to go back to full duty as a delivery driver. .I go in on September 5 20 14 for a DOT card.. will I have any problems getting that card? ?
@Kathy
Take a medical release form completed by your doctor and you should not have any problems.
If you are bipolar and take wellburtin , clonazepam and adderall with prescription. Will that disqualify you and not pass dot exam .
@Chris
With proper documentation from your prescribing doctor, as well as a medical release form completed by your primary, you may be able to pass.
A lot will depend on what your doctor says and how well you are going about handling life in general. That will all fall into the realm of the CME examiner’s evaluation. Good Luck.
I am A 27 year old male from Georgia. I have Hypertrophic Cardiomiomathy, High Blood Pressure, And Stage 3 Kidney disease (which is controlled by medicine), I was wondering can I get a cdl license and a dot medical card with these conditions?
@Marquis
The best thing you can do is down load the medical release form and have your doctor read the job description of a CDL driver. If he feels that is something that you can do and will sign the release, with all the needed info, then you know where you stand in this situation.
Another possibility is looking at an intra-state only card. The states are more lenient than the feds. Good Luck.
If my blood pressure is only barely over which would land me in high blood pressure range would this cause me to fail dot physical?
@Ben
No, but it may reduce your medical card to a one year certificate, so you can get your blood pressure under control.
For more information see FAQ – Blood Pressure and Hypertension
I have been on Tramadol for 15 years for arthritis. The has been absolutely no bad side effects. My primary doctor has tried many other pain meds. and we can’t find one that works or doesn’t give me diarrhea other than Tramadol. I have been with this doctor for at least 20 years. Can I continue to take Tramadol? I have a class B CDL in NJ
@Barbara
As a class B driver and having been on this medication for a prolonged period, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Get a medical release form completed by your primary doctor explaining your meds and take that with you when you go for your next medical certificate. Good Luck
I have been a type 1 diabetic for around 30 years and luve in Missouri. My question is, do I need an insulin waiver to drive for hire with only a class e license and do I even need a dot physical exam? Occasionally I will be driving into kansas but not often.
@Jeremy
I am not familiar with a class E license.
I suspect, since you are not driving interstate, that your state has the answer to your question better than I.
Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding your condition. Given that you have been driving and are a diabetic and have done so for years without a waiver, I doubt anything has changed for you.
Check with your state Drivers License Department.
I had a convergent heart surgery (double ablation) July 23, my heart doctor has cleared me after 6 weeks. It has been brought to my attention that there is a standard of 8 weeks after any surgery. My question is do I need another dot physical and what do I need to bring with me other than the standard release form from my heart doctor. I am not symptomatic at this time.
@Jimmy
Yes, you will need a new DOT medical examination to return to driving.
Yes, get a medical release form completed by your doctor before you return to your DOT examination. This completed information helps the examiner with his decision making process.
Be aware that your medical card will be good for one year at the time.
is there any dot medical places that does not require a sleep apnea test for local drivers to a medical card ?
@Lonnie
NO DOT physical exam should ‘require‘ a sleep apnea test in order to get a medical card.
Sleep apnea screening is a much misunderstood issue, not only amongst drivers, but medical examiners have been caught up in the confusion as well.
Here are a few resources to better understand sleep apnea screening, testing, and compliance:
Can a DOT Medical Examiner Refuse You A Medical Card Unless You Have A Sleep Study Done?
FAQ – Sleep Disorders
Articles – Sleep Apnea
See if you can find DOT physical locations near me. The DOT certified doctors in our network understand the FMCSA rules and the challenges that drivers face.