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 in the process of getting my Class A CDL permit. is it necessary for me to bring a medical release form from my Dr?my Dr told me i have a slight heart murmur, but that was back before i got my regular driver’s license will this cause me to fail my dot physical?
@Jordain
A medical release from your doctor stating that he is aware of the murmur and that is not an issue will be a huge help to the CME at the time of the examination, but the murmur should not create any issues.
If you fail a DOT medical exam because the doctor says you need a thyroid test first but you’ve never been told such a thing by your primary care doctor, can you just go to another exam center and get your DOT card?
@ C.J.
Best bet is to check with your primary doctor to confirm that you do not need such a test and have him write a note stating that. If you decide to go elsewhere, give it thirty days before going for a second opinion. Otherwise FMCSA sees it as doctor shopping.
My question is concerning completing the Medical Card. The card asks you to mark Intrastate only, yes or no. I say that means, do you have any health restrictions to your license that would require you to only be allowed to drive in-state. Others feel that it means, will the load you are hauling be only in-state. How do you mark this section of the medical card?
@Gaye
It is based on the driver’s class of license and his medical conditions.
If you are medically fit, it makes sense to get an interstate card.
I’m taking the medication Suboxen, for the past two year under Dr’s care. For depression & withdraw. I am doing grate. I want to get my dot card then my C.D.L. License. Can I get my care while I’m taking Suboxen or who to call to find out? Thanks!
@Terrance
Get a medical release form completed by your prescribing doctor explaining your situation. It will answer some of the CME’s questions and allows him to make the best informed decisions.
Also read our Driver Q&A – Medications. You will find recent comments that relate to your situation.
i have a hernia in my groin area have had it for a while it causes no pain I work out and lift at the wearhouse it does not limit me in any shape or form will this cause me to fail my DOT? To get my class A
@Aj
If it is non-problematic, you should be good to go. You might get a medical release form from your doctor. That will be helpful too.
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