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.