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!
Will recurrent thunderclap headaches disqualify me for a DOT medical card?
@TP
As a class A driver, Yes.
Hello. I’m 42 and in the midst of a possible career change to OTR driving. I’ve never had a cdl before. I’ve been a type2 diabetic for several years using metformin and diet to keep my A1c in check. I also was prescribed a low dose blood pressure pill to protect my kidneys. What I need to know is simply, will this cause me to fail the DOT physical or is their hope for me?
@Thomas
If all else is fine and you have a medical release form from your doctor regarding your controlled diabetes, you should be good for a one year medical card.
I was on suboxone for 2 years and stopped taking it three weeks ago. I did take clonidine to help with the taper and sleep meds also for my taper. I have a document from my doctor stating that I have stopped all meds and there is no chance of any being left in my system and am in perfect fitness for duty. I am also well past the 7 half lives rule and take 0 medications. According to Fmcsa I should be good to get my CDL?
@Tom
Lots will depend on the reasoning for being on Suboxone. Make sure you have a recent medical release form from your doctor when you go for your DOT examination. He will need as much supporting documentation as possible before he can make his final decision.
Has sleep apnea testing been added to the dot physical requirements based on BMI and neck circumference?
@Mike
Neck and BMI measurements can be used, but there are additional health issues that should be looked at. Neck and BMI measurements are the laziest way to go. The CME should be looking for more information on health issues before recommending sleep apnea screening.
For more information on this contentious issue see our articles on Sleep Apnea Screening http://dotphysicaldoctor.com/category/sleep-apnea/.
1. Can a dot ( urgent health care ) doctor make you get Psychological test through a drug rehab center requesting a doctors letter stating ” your ” not a alcoholic ? I have had no prior violations till said accident in personal vehicle NOT commercial.
The law states I Can I get a second opinion as I feel I was discriminated against from said doctor.
2. Would this be considered doctor shopping ?
I had pass all requirements in doctors office and yet my accident is what she said was the issue of not passing me.
I’ve never had any issues with my Cdl in a commercial vehicle.
I was involved in a motorcycle accident that was not my fault and was not arrested for any violations but the hospital had taken a drug/alcohol blood test at time of surgery for my broken leg and had reported my bac in my medical chart that I was over the legal limit in my state. Missouri. Again I passed all requirements at day of test but she would not sign off giving me my card but marked the box for Determination Pending. Due to the 90 day prior accident that was not commercially involved.
@Joe
Go get a second opinion, you have the right and someone is over-reading the FMCSA guidelines.
I just had one beer before mine to settle my nerves I don’t even drive yet and she said the same thing
Can you be a city bus driver if you had a heart valve replacement?
@LeeAnn
You want to check with your local drivers license department. You fall under your states variances and not FMCSA.
Will a non- disqualify disease not mentioned in previous DOT physicals get me disqualified when I mention it on the next one.
You mean disqualify. Not necessarily. But when you lie and get caught, which you will, you will lose your license and get fines and imprisonment. Be honest, jump through the hoops for the waiver process. Lie and lose license and maybe go to jail.
Let’s say I take a medication that is on record through my GP. Will the DOT physical include a call to my GP to confirm the answers I wrote down are true?
Sorry if this comes off as dishonest – I know it is, I just really need this job. My family depends on me and I don’t want to let them down.
@Steve
You should be asked to provide a medical release form from your prescribing doctor. So it will fall to the GP to tell the CME what you are taking and what, if any, side effects the medications could induce. But in most cases it is up to you to tell the truth and since you sign the federal form stating that the above information is correct, then you have to weigh it all out.
Am currently on a 3 month medical card for BP issues, on medication to deal with it. Assuming the worst and I fail the next exam on BP I assume I will be disqualified, if so for how long, or is that basically the end of my commercial driving. Thanks in advance.
@Rodney
If you fail on blood pressure next time, you are disqualified until you get it under control. Not a career ender.
I am on morphine and have been for several years. The doctor has passed me with a one year card for the past three years. Now he says he won’t sign it and nothing has changed from the years prior. Can he do this?
@Dan
Yes, it appears that the FMCSA is overseeing everybody/CME. Just get a medical release form from your prescribing doctor and have him explain the need and the length of time that you have been on the medication. The CME simply needs a medical release form with this explanation and you should be back in business.
If a driver uses a drug identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 (391.42(b)(12)) or any other substance such as amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit forming drug, The driver is medically unqualified.
I have been clean for 6 months cold Turkey. Why am I required for a SAP program
I had a DoT physical done in Maryland and was given a 1 year card on the condition I have a sleep test done within that year. 2 weeks later I went to Iowa for a job and they redid the physical. In Iowa the company told me they refused my card and want the sleep test done before they will pass me.
My question is, is the MD pass still valid? Or does taking another physical in another state negate the previous test?
@Ed
The last physical exam done and reported to the FMCSA database overrides the previous test.
Read these articles for more information on issues related to Sleep Apnea Screening.
That’s a downer, but thanks for the answer. Follow up question.
I have my suspicions that I passed and was given a 1 year acceptance in Iowa as well. The Dr. told me that is what she was going to do. However the company then said I needed to get the test and claimed I failed. But I’m not convinced I failed the DoT, but instead the companies requirement. In which case I believe I have a valid DoT physical.
Aside from calling the Dr directly is there anywhere I can find this out? I asked at the company and they pawned it off on the Dr. Which may be true, I just want to verify.
@Ed
Did the last examiner give you a new DOT medical card (MCSA-5876)?
If yes, then you have a valid card until it expires, or until you take another DOT physical exam.
If no, then you’ll need to find out from the examiner if: 1. They just brushed you off (which means your previous medical card is still valid); or 2. They completed the exam and failed you, which would be updated in the FMCSA database and override your previous card.
In either case they should have given you a copy of the Medical Examination Report (MCSA-5875) if they completed the exam.
That is the issue I’m dealing with at the moment. They gave the results to the potential employer since I signed the form to do so. No problem there. But they are trying to refuse to give me the results which I believe violates HIPAA rules since no matter who paid for the test, the medical records are still mine.
I’m awaiting a phone call.
Is there any way I can access the FMCSA database to verify if my MD pass was overwritten?
@Ed
No access to the database, other than the medical examiners office that input the data through their online account.
If you are not going to work for that company, then go to another examiner and have another medical examination done, which will then become your current results. Tell them the truth about what is going on. Get a second opinion on the sleep apnea screening, and move on from there.
If I recently took my DOT Physical and was told that I need to take a sleep apnea test. I never was told this on any of my prior test in the past. Immediately after I went to another DOT doctor and I passed and was given a two-year medical certificate. My question is will the first one be reported to DMV? And if so will my second test over ride the first one?
@ Ray A
The first test results may have been input to the national registry, but the second examination findings over ride the first.
Can a nurse fail you on your dot physical. My blood pressure was 170/100 she said I failed and she was going to throw my file away. I just passed all my test to be a bus driver also have my cdl.
@Paula
If the nurse is on the national registry then she can fail you. As far as throwing your file away, she would be breaking the law to do so.
I have no medical issues at all, and need to know if there’s anything that would prevent me from just making an appointment and going to get the physical. My current job doesn’t require cdl, but I want to keep it active in case I get an offer for such a position.
I had my right ankle fused and I’m on oxycodone and morphine sulfate for pain. I have been taken them for 5 years and have no problem with getting drousy or any other side affects. Does this disqualify me for a medical card?
@Dave
You will need a medical release from your prescribing doctor explaining your situation and condition. With that information in hand, you may be able to get a medical certificate, but it will require good documentation.
I am a type 1 diabetic with an insulin pump. I am very well regulated. It’s been 15 years since diagnosis and I have never passed out or needed another person’s assistance with my diabetes. I am young and in shape. I have been told 100 different things from doctor’s offices while going through this process. Anyone have first hand experience passing a DOT physical as a Type 1 diabetic?
@Andrew
FMCSA / DOT will need to issue you a diabetes / insulin waiver, before you would be qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle inter-state.
Or check with your local drivers license department regarding an intra-state only CDL.
I applied for a Federal Vision Waiver on 06/12/2016 the process is similar… I was granted a waiver for interstate license on 10/11/2016, it has to post for thirty days for public comment {whatever that is } on 11/11/2016 I should get in the mail my waiver which I take to the DMV and self certify.
In your case the process is lengthy and drawn-out , mine four months .. It sux but Ive been driving a commercial vehicle for 34 years. My pay has suffered because I cant drive out of the state of Georgia till I self certify. You have to do everything they require to the letter, or ya don’t get one……. Then after two years I have to go through the same process again…..
How dis this work out for you. I’m a fellow diabetic and I am trying to get my medical card and just don’t know what to do.
Had a heart attack 11 years ago and since then my injection Factor has gone down from 45 to 30 in the past 11 years I take a stress test every year I would like to know that being my injection factor is 30 will I be able to get a physical done this year
@Mike
FMCSA wants a LVEF of 40% or better. Less will not pass the FMCSA guideline requirements.
I am a 58 years old, 3.5 years ago I had a massive heart attack and triple bypass surgery. I was already a diabetic taking oral meds. After the surgery my Dr. put me on insulin which I am at a hundred units a day. Now I have been tagged with CAD, Diabetes, Depression, Insomnia and Animic. I drove OTR for over 30 years. Would it do me any good to try and get a Health Card?
@Mike
Very highly unlikely!
I have chronic hepatitis B. Will it disqualify me from getting a dot card?
@David
As long as you are able to perform the duties of a CMV operator and you have a medical release form from your primary doctor, you should be in good shape, if all else is within normal limits.
I have 4 bulging discs in my back and have light ptsd (i am able to keep it under control) i don’t take any medications for the pain in my back or for my ptsd. I have passed every DOT physical no problem and have told each and every doctor my passed(all happened in the military)I just recently took a partial physical and they wouldn’t let me to finish it because of my pass.is this considered discrimination and if so who and where do i need to go or is she able to do this with no repercussions. I found out she’s been sued before and when i checked her on the ama website she doesn’t come up and she doesn’t come up on the registered nurses registry I’m trying to see if i could get a second opinion or not or am i going too run into the sane problems?…my current medical card doesn’t expire till next April 2017 Can i still drive with that one?or will i have to get another physical? I’ve been driving since i got out of the army in 2012 and I’m va disabled at 60%.she asked for proof from my primary care saying i don’t have road rage due to my ptsd is she allowed to ask for this and is this An automatic disqualifier for my med card?
@Andy
Well first things first. Is she actually on the FMCSA national registry. If not you can go somewhere else.
CME’s are supposed to take in all available information and use it to make their final decision. That means they should have requested additional information from your doctors before making a final call on you.
I am on dialises some time it is hard to us the bathroom will this be a problem for my dot card
Trying to renew med card using same facility for several years, new person is sending me for unnecessary testing. Each one is done, then when results are normal, sends me for another more expensive test. Can I leave that facility at this point and go to my PCP without a problem? I have never had a problem before and nothing has changed, in fact in better health now than 2 years ago. I accidently checked the wrong box when filling out papers, she didn’t ask me any questions, just keeps coming up with more hoops to jump thru.
@Dennis
You will need to go to an examiner that is on the national registry. If your doctor is on that list, then use him, if not then go some where else for a second opinion.
I have had a CDL since 1989, and in 2013 I was diagnosed with CHF, and put on 3.125mg Carvedilol and 5mg Lisinopril. I was released to return to work a year later. In the 2 1/2 years since I have improved greatly and would like to return to driving. I have to renew my Med certification, while still on the medicine, am I going to have any problems?
@Stan
With proper documentation, a medical release form from your doctor with an explanation of the medications and a your most recent EKG, you should be in good shape for the CME.
Your medical card will be limited to one year at the time due to your condition medications.