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’m 48…6’8ish @450lbs.. I’ve had my CDL for 10 years… No sleep Apnea, No accidents and/or Violations. I drive a truck rarely, as my job requires me to have a current medical card & CDL. My medical card expired and I need to get it renewed. California is super stupid on DOT and a lot of doctors have turned me away- because they don’t want to get sued, for what reason..? No clue. Are ALL physicians going to turn me away? Because I’m built like a football player?
@ Chris
450 lbs. is a really big football player, even at 6’8ish. But if you can perform the duties required by the DOT/FMCSA guidelines and regulations, then there is no reason for a denial for the examination. Your size and weight are going to be questioned, but any registered CME should perform the DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination. And if they won’t, ask why. They should answer your question
my dot medical expire january 16 2021, i plan to have cataract surgery the first part of january. that might take it past the 16th of the month. is there a grace period to obtaining my new medical exam?
@ randy h
The best thing would be to wait unless fully released to return to work and then go for your new medical certification examination. Your state should have a slight grace period, given your circumstances. Check with your local DLD to confirm.
MY HUSBAND HAS A DEFIBRILLATOR UPDATED LAST SEPTEMBER HAS BEEN DOING GREAT. TIME FOR HIS MEDICAL CARD TO BE DONE. BY MARCH BUT CURRENT COMPANY WON’T LET HIM DRIVE UNTIL IT’S DONE NOW.. HIS CARDIOLOGIST KEEPS SAYING BECAUSE HE HAS IT THAT HE ISN’T A LOUD TO BE DRIVING SEMI’S. WHEN WAS THE LAW UPDATED LAST ON THIS IN OHIO. CAN’T FIND ANYTHING.
@ debbie p
DOT/FMCSA has had this in effect for years. If your husband is driving class A interstate, then the medical examiner will have questions. He will also request supporting medical documentation.
hello,
I have a couple of questions with renewing my medical card this October. I’ve been on anxiety medication for the past year being diagnosed with severe anxiety. Then the Pandemic hits and I’m out of work and having severe Anxiety. Will this stop me from getting my medical card renewed? 2nd, My Psych suggested getting a Marijuana Medical card. Well, stupid me gets the card and I’ve read nothing but horror after horror. I haven’t used the card, have no plans on using it.. I’m wondering, Will the Examiner know I have the medical card without disclosing this to him?
@ kennykay
Your meds and your are going to be questioned and it sounds like your condition is not responding as expected. Be prepared to provide medical documentation from your Psych along with a medical release form. If you have not consumed any cannabis then the likelihood of him/her knowing of the card is irrelevant.
Do they need to check your private area, can you refuse ?
@ Matt
It is a part of the DOT/FMCSA medical examination for cdl holders. It should be same sex evaluation for hernias.
For years the only problem i have is that i get nervous soon as i step foot in the doctors office my bp goes up .. Until i leave the place .. Is there a way i can take my bp without being there ?
@ Adam M
For DOT/FMCSA medical examination reporting for a class A driver, unfortunately, the answer is no.
Does Pa. still allow you to keep your CDL active without getting the physical if you are not currently driving? If so how do i go about that?
Can a type 1 diabetic obtain a DOT card
@ Jared
It is possible with proper medical documentation supporting your condition is well under control..
Do you know what the ejection fraction needs to be in order to meet the DOT guidelines after a heart attack? I know that normal is 50-75; however, is there a standard? Thank you!
@ Sona H
FMCSA wants greater than or equal to 40% LVEF.
I recently completed my NC D.O.T. Physical Examination but I do not know the address to send the exam to in order to obtain my D.O.T. Medical Card. I am in the State of NC Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
@ Michael
The DOT examiner should have given you the medical card at the completion of the examination.
I had my CDL but I let it go a couple of years ago. I’ve been diabetic for some years now and now I’m taking Trulicity shots to help with my A1C levels. Does this hurt me in any way to not get my CDL back?
@ Lucien T
With the proper documentation you should be able to get your cdl back.
My A1C was 7.8 and now it is 6.0 and I have no logs indicating my sugar levels by the day. My endocrain is normal, vision and hearing. If my doctor writes a letter stating I’m fit to obtain my cdl DOT card. Dose the help with the medical examiner?
@ Meka
The letter will be helpful and still the CME may request additional information to help in his decision making process.
Yes, diabetes is no longer disqualifies you for a DOT. As long as you have records to prove your in compliance and your glucose monitoring is stable then you can be certified. Also just so you know if you go to your doctor and have one out of range value that will not disqualify you.
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I was wondering if seizures that are completely controlled with medication and have been for 6+ years would keep me from being able to pass a DOT physical, I am considering getting my CDL class A to drive truck but want to know this information before hand so that I don`t go through this process to find out in the end that I can`t pass the physical. I am wanting to do this as a career change to better provide for my family, thanks for any information you can provide.
@ Bryel J
You will not pass the DOT medical certification examination while taking, or have taken in the past, seizure medications. Check with your local DLD and inquire about intra-state only commercial driving. That way you fall under the states variances and not the feds regulations.
I take terazosin for bph will I be denied from driving
@ Gregory M
Your medications are going to raise questions. If you have a medical release form from your prescribing doctor and you have been on this medication for some time, then you may be OK. Your medication has some side effects that will cause questions, so be prepared to supply supporting documentation.
You can be certified but I need more information to answer your question. Did you have one seizure? What is your diagnosis and how long have you had seizures. When was your last seizure? All these things affect our decision to certify or not and we don’t make up the rules they are federally regulated but I do have some discretionary control as long as I document why I may go outside a specific guideline and that would be based on your history.
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I’ve been recently diagnosed with Pollycethemia Vera, it’s a blood born cancer. Will this disqualify me for my physical?
@ Kevin
Only if it effects your ability to safely operate a cmv.
Can you pass dot exam having narcolepsy?
@ Lee
Narcolepsy posses a serious safety risk to a driver and the public at large. FMCSA guidelines do not allow for this condition and you would not pass the DOT medical certification process.
You cannot pass a DOT with narcolepsy. You can take medications for this and I can make a determination based on outcomes and having you wear a monitor to show that you are not at a high risk. But this one is a touchy one and I would need more medical information to properly state yes or no.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I have an employee who was denied his medical card because he recently passed a kidney stone and still has one stone remaining. The doctor said that passing a kidney stone could be incapacitating and that he will not be medically cleared until he passes the stone or has a procedure to remove it. Can my employee be denied a healthcard because of kidney stones?
I don’t know but this sounds ridiculous. There are so many people willing to work and it seems they are being blocked. Good Luck with this. I would look into it. There has to be some way to pass the test and the stone.
G
This one is discretionary and I understand why the doctor stated that. I might give you 30 days of not driving and let you pass the stone as they can make you incapable of driving should it start passing while you’re driving. I would need more information.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I was deny recertification on my dot physical because I have major depression. And for me to get recertify they told me I had to get a therapist to obtain me for 60 days or release me. The doctor only mark me with depression that happen two years ago and I’m on medication. But I do not take the medication at all cause I don’t need it. I been driving for 2 years and never been deny!!! What can I do? I need answers
If you are compliant with medication and it has been 2-years ago, based on the limited information you have given then I would probably pass you for a year. If there are factors you have not stated that could alter my decision.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
I’m 41 wanting to obtain my CDL for career change. I take paxil for mild anxiety Driving is something I’ve wanted to do for years. Are there alternatives for that medication and will it not allow me to obtain.
@ William H
You will need medical documentation to provide to the DOT medical examiner. A signed medical release form from your prescribing physician.
Has anyone gone to the DOT drs and been asked to summit to a sleep apnea screening after being given a clean bill of health?
I have a slight deformity in my left leg and my right. I do not have any chronic pain from it but I do have trouble standing longer than 30 minutes. I am concerned I will not pass the DOT tests just from the way my legs look. I am concerned there might be a protocol to leg deformities and I have done as much Internet research that I can. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thank You.
In your case I would have you go out to your truck and show me you have the capability of using all actions required. If you have no deficiencies then I would pass you. It would be dependent on more information from your medical history.
Thanks,
Tammy G, APRN, NRCME
Received my medical card and the office said I can’t laminate it or it is considered invalid. Is this correct
@Michael
Not exactly. But some states are picky about not laminating cards. Also, the new Medical Certificate cannot be changed in any way or reduced to a size where any print is not legible. Some examiners still provide a tri-fold laminated card.
My friend has worked for a company for several years, they now want him to obtain a CDL. The company does not drug test and he feels that there will be no drug screening in going through the steps to obtain a CDL. I argue that I cant believe that there wouldn’t be a drug screening. does anyone know for sure if there is a drug screening or if it varies from state to state? we are in Wisconsin.
@Bob
It varies state to state, and company to company.
They don’t drug screen for a DOT Physical. They do random drug screenings.
Not true they did me and just got denied
Dang really? was it a DOT Drug Testing or from the Employer?
State of Massachusetts drug test on DOT physical . Also they do random drug testing as well
easiest answer is DON’T DO DRUGS DAMN IT!
I have been legally blind in my right eye since birth, when I was hired for my job I had no issue obtaining a DOT medical card, the 2 years passed and I was able to renew it. Another 2 years have came up but this time I am unable to get a certified medical examiner to even look at me once I mention my right eyes vision before the screening.
I have been cleared to drive from my optometrist for the last 16 years and have been cleared from my optometrist to operate my work vehicle.
For work I drive a sprinter van that is just over 10000# Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 3:30pm on city streets.
What can I do to renew my card so I can retain my job and won’t have any issues in the future.
@Jason
The medical examiner needs to understand that you are not a class A driver and you fall under state variance, not under FMCSA regulations. You should be evaluated for the type of driving you do.
Our company requires all employees to have a DOT card regardless if they have a CDL or not. I know that the CDL employees have to have the Medical Certificate on the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). Do the NON CDL employees with DOT cards have to be submitted for the MVR?
@Pamela
Each state treats this process differently, so you’ll need to check with your state local drivers license department as to their requirement.
I just had a physical and I put down that I had a meniscus removed. The medical examiner said I had to get documents proving I was cleared. I called the doctor I went to and I had restrictions not to lift 20 pounds and can’t squat for long periods of time. Plus it said I can’t drive for more than 8 hours. Will I fail. I’ve even worked for this company before. I’ve had 5 dot physicals since my surgery and passed. I also was cleared by a vocational specialist to get funding for my license. Thanks
@Eric
The CME is posing questions because you would not fall into a class A interstate driver overall qualifications without supporting documentation. With supporting documentation you may be okay.
I can’t do a normal comment so I am trying to do it this way maybe I can get help. I passed my dot phy. I got paperwork and passed the permit test. I have to wait 3weeks for permit paperwork. I never got a card ppl talk about. How do I get this dot card? Yes I have papers but thats it. (Kentucky)
@ Trey
Just go back and ask the examiner for a copy of your card.