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!
Can blood in urine cause you not to get a health card
@Myron
It will raise questions and may require a follow-up after your doctor determines the reasoning behind the blood in the urine.
Yes I just went for my DOT physcial and was giving a 3 month extended license for a 140/93. When I go to my regular physician it’s 130/86 area. Can I get a waiver from my regular doctor and just get a year extension even if I don’t have a blood pressure problem.
Plus too the company I drive for stays within the NY state lines do I still need a DOT card even if I stay with in state. Because I know some people who do same kind of driving and aren’t required a DOT card. Is it a company thing for cheaper insurance?
@Donald
In any state that you drive a vehicle that is used for commerce, you need a medical card, even for intra-state driving. So To make doubly sure I would check with your local drivers license department and ask the same question. There may be some variability from state to state.
@Donald
It’s not the way the FMCSA would have it. So it’s doubtful that this will work for the CME. Make sure that the examiner takes multiple reading during your examination. All you need to do is relax and get a decent reading, maybe even rest a bit before you go in.
Other tips see this article: Blood Pressure Tips During The DOT Physical Exam
No you must pass during the physical….period!
I take metaphormin for diet help will that fail a dot physical
@Dan
No, but it will reduce your physical to one year. If it is being used for diet only, make sure you bring a note from your doctor explaining the medications use and that it is not for diabetes.
My friend was treated for hep c 9years ago and was a dot driver at the time and was always recertified. Now they are gaining new employment and are wondering will this condition disqualify them? And if so is there any recourse?
@TP
This should not be an issue, unless there are other symptoms that limit his ability to perform his duties as a commercial motor vehicle operator.
My former primary care doctor(my old pediatrician) is now doing DOT physicals and I have his wife as a primary care doctor now. When I originally went for my DOT card I was told I needed to have a sleep test done. My card has since then expired. Because they both know my health background will I still need the sleep test done? My doctor and former doctor say I do not have sleep apnea even though I haven’t had the test
@Adam
There were no new rules regarding sleep study and if your old doctors know you, and knows you do not need a sleep study, then go see them to renew your DOT physical.
Via titration I am weaning myself off of zolpidem. Although I do have an MD’s script and can probably get a signed statement from my doctor about my use of zol. for sleep, if I do a urine and/or h-follicle test, is zolpidem a disqualifying medication for med card? Thank you for a reply.
@George
Yes, it is classed as a disqualifier for the DOT interstate drivers. If it is possible to replace this medication with something else that does not have the same negative results as what you are taking, then by all means make the change.
I’m a driver. 5 years ago, Found out I had undiagnosed sleep apnea. one night, my wife told me My body was jerking and I was struggling to breathe in my sleep. She called ambulance. They said it could have been seizure in my sleep due to physical exhaustion but wasn’t sure. I have no history of those. I Went to neuro doc to follow-up. He said its sleep apnea. Lack of oxygen caused body jerking and a fit in my sleep. Got treated for sleep ap and seizure. Neuro doc said he only treated for sezuire to be safe, since I was a driver. Been healthy and using cpap daily and no problems for five years. When time for my physical a few months ago, I checked seizure and sleep ap On DOT physical form like I always did, even though I’m not sure it was a seizure. New DOT doc I never had before, hand wrote a note on form and put I had seizure and I was epileptic, even though i had no history. I gave dot physical form to boss because it was mandatory and then got fired. Did DOT doc violate my hippa rights?
@Tony
CME simply wrote down what he had to to substantiate the physical being done. You giving the employer a complete copy of your medical examination was permission for the company to read and act on any issues. So the answer to your question is No, the CME had to do what he did.
Try this: Make sure you get a medical release form from your neurologist stating that you are being treated for sleep apnea. If he feels that he must continue treating for seizures as a pre-cautionary measure, then you will be very limited in what type of driving you will be able to do. Another option could be to check with the FMCSA and see what the requirements for a seizure waiver would be and then follow up in that direction. You simply need to clarify what you are truly being treated for and how serious the issues are.
I am a diabetic kidney dialysis patient looking for a part time job that requires a CDL license with airbrake and passenger endorsement. Do these conditions disqualify me for medical reasons?
@Tom
Check with your state first.
If you are going to be driving intra-state only, your state will have the paperwork you will need. As an interstate driver, you would not be qualified.
I have just been diagnosed with blood clots in my legs and put on blood thinner for now, will this prevent me from passing a dot physical.
@jim
Once you have the condition completely under control and a medical release form from your doctor in hand you may be OK. Lots will depend on what your doctors have to say about you sitting for extended periods of time as a driver. Also the CME will have a lot of questions too. SO get things under control and go from there.
Back in May of this year I had pulmanary edema and had found out I had a kidney blockage, had a stent put in June. I am now been released to go back to work the end of August. I released my records to the dot Doctor. They say his heart is a little stiff, but is on a heart med. for this . Can I get my dot. card with this.
@John
As long as you can qualify as fit for duty you should be fine. Make sure you take records and a medical release form from your doctor with you. That helps the CME in his decision making process.
My husband went for his DOT exam and the CME requested a Fasting Blood Sugar , HgBA1c test, we went to our primary care dr and he said that he did not have to redo the test that the last one performed on 7/31/15 would be sufficient. The CME will not accept that from the Dr and has said that she will not give him his CDL unless he has the test performed. Is she able to over rule what his primary care dr says. Can he go to another clinic.
@Sheri
If the sugar is under control while doing the urine strip and you can support the facts that you are under care and your condition is under control, then all the CME needs is a medical release form from your primary doctor. Now if there was a sugar spill over in the urine test, then she is looking at a potential safety issue and can request an updated A1c. If the urine test was normal and there were no real questions, then yes you can go elsewhere.
Live in Ohio and drive for a company using 26ft trucks (max load 10,000lbs) and a box truck. Don’t need a CDL. Getting a DOT physical, will I be tested for drugs?
@Matt
Not for the medical card, but maybe from the company. The company is the one that request the drug test and if you are dirty, then why be a risk to others while operating a large truck?
I live in New Jersey. I am currently going to enroll in classes for CDL class a for my job to drive bigger trucks and make more money. I use to smoke a lot of marajuana but now want to better my life so I quit about 2 weeks ago but will be going for the physical next week. Some websites say that the urine sample they take is for drug screen some say it’s not. Do you know if the urine sample will include a drug test or not for dot nj physical? Like I said I’m trying to better my life but it could still be in my system.
Where can I find the list of medications that candidates for dot card cannot be taking?
@Mary
No such list. It’s up to the examiner to make those decisions. If you are taking any medications, then make sure you have a doctor release form ready to go when you go for your medical certificate.
Just diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. The Doctor wants to put me on anti seizure meds (trileptal,neurontin,baclofen) he says this is the only way to stop the MASSIVE pain. I will not be on these for seizures. Can i continue to drive OTR on these meds? If i choose the surgery can i drive after a Microvascular decompression surgery it involves cutting into my head? My last option ,can i continue to drive with this diagnosis and refuse all treatment and just bear the pain?
@Carl
You’ll need to be on these medications for a while so you know what effects or side effects there are. Once you are cleared from your primary prescribing doctor, you want to have a medical release form completed by your PCP and have him explain why you are taking the meds that you are taking. The CME needs to understand that you are taking a medication for your pain condition and not for seizures. The CME must be able to support his decision regarding the medications and your condition before he can grant a medical certificate.
Do they drug test for medical cards
@keith
Drug testing is not part of the DOT physical exam.
Is that true in florida?
I only ask because i wasjust put on adderall about three weeks ago
@Nick
Drug testing is done for the employer and not the DOT medical certificate. So it will fall under your employers request for a drug screen. If you were prescribed a medication that may result in a positive drug screen, then all you need is a copy of the prescription from the prescribing doctor. The MRO may request a copy to confirm that you are taking your medications as directed.
I am taking a job in a different state as a cdl A driver. I will have to take a physical for the job. My question is if I passed the requirements for a seizure disorder in my original state then will I be held to my original state qualifications for the physical or will it be the state I’m in?
@Chris
Where is your seizure waiver from? The state does one thing and the FMCSA does another.
Also are you going to be driving interstate or intra-state? This will make a difference too.
Question my husband has never had an issue with his DOT he has a chauffeurs licence not a CDL but drives out of state so he gets his DOT but at the clinic he has a neck circumference of 17 they wont pass him because they said he has to be cleared of sleep apnea I thought that only applied to CDL drivers how much have things changed?!
@Nikki
Seems like most states grandfathered the old chauffeurs license into their CDL program.
Not sure if any states still have a chauffeurs license.
Anyway, there were no new rules or regulations regarding neck size-sleep apnea testing and passing a DOT medical examination. So unless there is sufficient reasoning for requesting a sleep study, other than it makes more money for somebody, then there is no reason for the test request.
To better understand this contentious issue see our series of articles on Sleep Apnea Screening.
Thnx to everyone at south ontario chiropractic.. Thank u Dr. Rod Melvin..
AM A HEALTHY MALE PASS EVERYTHING ON MY DOT PHYSICLE BESIDES WAX BUILDUP IN MY EAR BUT CAN HEAR NO PROBLEM DOC SAID SHE CANT PASS BECAUSE OF IT I CLEAN MY EARS WITH WAX OIL AND HYDROGEN PEROOXI AND FLUSH MANY TIMES WENT BACK TWICE I STILL HAVE PROBLEM WHAT DO I DO
@Frank
Try having your ears cleaned by a professional. Not real sure why you would be restricted from having a medical certificate if you can hear OK. But there must be some reason for with holding your card until you have your ears cleaned out by a professional.
If a person fails the exam. Does this get reported and if so to who
@Chris
Reported to the FMCSA data-base.