IF you have a question that doesn’t seem to fit into any other Category, then this is the FAQ page to check.
Please read through the Q&A before posting a question. This will help everyone to not have duplicate questions. Thank you!
If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to ask your question in the comments section below.
Q&A
Who can I go to, to get my DOT medical card?
Can I go to my own doctor to get my DOT physical or do I have to use my company doctor?
What’s the difference between a DOT Doctor and a Medical Examiner?
How long does it take to get my medical certificate?
What’s involved in a DOT physical?
What would cause me to fail a DOT physical?
When I do my DOT physical do I have to get completely naked?
Who pays for the DOT Physical Examination? Me. Company. Insurance?
If I don’t have medical insurance can I still get a DOT physical?
How much does a DOT physical exam cost without insurance?
Why do I have to have a urine test for a DOT physical?
Can I get a copy of my DOT physical form?
How long is the DOT medical card good for?
How many 3-month DOT medical cards can you have?
Is there a difference between a DOT physical card and a DOT medical certificate?
How do overweight truck drivers pass the DOT physical?
What if I’m disqualified – may I request another DOT physical?
What if I don’t disclose a medical condition when I go through the DOT physical exam?
Who can I go to, to get my DOT medical card?
Interstate drivers: CMV drivers who drive interstate, must get Federal medical certificates from a medical examiner who is FMCSA National Registry Certified. (Find a registered CME)
Intrastate drivers: Each individual State makes the determination as to whether or not intrastate drivers must be examined by a certified ME listed on the National Registry. To avoid hassles it’s our recommendation that you find a registered CME.
Can I go to my own doctor to get my DOT physical or do I have to use my company doctor?
This will depend on the company policy. Your company may require you to use their company doctor for your DOT physical exam. If this is not a requirement, you may go to any medical examiner who is certified on the FMCSA National Registry.
What’s the difference between a DOT Doctor and a Medical Examiner?
There is no difference, these terms are used interchangeably. The terms Medical Examiner, Certified Medical Examiner, and CME are now being used since the federal regulation came into force on May 21, 2014. Drivers will not be able to go to just any healthcare provider for your DOT physical. You must go to a Certified Medical Examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.
How long does it take to get my medical certificate?
It should take 30-45 minutes to go through the physical examination. Provided there are no medical concerns the medical examiner will be able to certify you and issue your medical certificate.
If the medical examiner has concerns about a potential, current or past medical condition you may be required to see a specialist for additional medical tests or get documentation from your treating physician. In this case the medical examiner will not be able to complete the DOT physical exam until these requirements have been fully met.
Be Prepared! Find out what you should know before you get to your DOT physical appointment.
What’s involved in a DOT physical?
The DOT physical exam is considered a “Medical Fitness for Duty” exam for the demands of the job required of any commercial driver, not just the driver’s current job duties. The medical examiner’s role is to determine if a CMV driver’s health meets FMCSA standards.
The examining doctor has these two questions foremost in mind when conducting the physical exam:
- Can the driver safely meet the physical and mental demands of the job today, and for the period for which the medical card will be issued?
- Does the driver have any past or current medical conditions, which may impact the ability to meet the demands of the job now or in the future?
The DOT physical is an extensive medical examination to determine if you are qualified to safely operate a commercial vehicle. The best way to understand the DOT Physical Examination is to relate the medical requirements to the demands of your job as a commercial driver. The full extent of these are explained in Trucker Docs™ special guidebook to getting your medical certificate.
What would cause me to fail a DOT physical?
Any condition that would cause a loss of ability to control, operate, or drive a commercial vehicle safely – loss or impairment of limbs, poor visual or auditory acuity, insulin-controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, respiratory disfunction, epilepsy, mental disorder, use of certain drugs, alcoholism.
The DOT physical is an extensive examination. The full extent is explained in Trucker Docs’ special guidebook. Any disease, disorder, injury, or medication could cause you to fail if they present a risk to public safety.
When I do my DOT physical do I have to get completely naked?
No. There is no reason to get naked. Loose clothing will suffice for the examining physician to be able to complete all aspects of the DOT physical exam.
Who pays for the DOT Physical Examination? Me, my employer, my insurance?
There is no set answer here.
Sometimes the driver pays.
Some companies will pay for it, some will not. So check with your company because some require that you use their company doctor.
Some insurance companies treat this exam as preventative health care and will not reimburse for it. Sometimes the driver will pay, and may submit the receipt to their insurance for reimbursement, if the insurance will pay.
If I don’t have medical insurance can I still get a DOT physical?
Yes. You do not need medical insurance to get a DOT Physical.
How much does a DOT physical exam cost without insurance?
Currently we’ve seen DOT physicals charged anywhere between $50 and $300. The new FMCSA Medical Examination Forms (2016) and reporting system have increased administrative work and time for medical examiners, and costs for the DOT physical exam are rising accordingly.
Why do I have to have a urine test for a DOT physical?
The urine test is just a kidney screen to test for sugar and protein. It’s done to determine that there is no early onset of conditions like high blood pressure breaking down the kidneys, or early signs of diabetes, or kidney infection.
Can I get a copy of my DOT physical form?
Yes. As well as receiving your medical certificate you should also get a copy of the long form (Medical Examination Report). The medical examiner is required to keep a copy of these documents for three years. If you need a copy you should contact the medical examiner. Contact information is on your medical card.
How long is the DOT medical card good for?
A DOT medical card is valid for two years if you have no restrictions. A history of high blood pressure, taking high blood pressure medications, a sleep disorder, and taking oral medications for diabetes can restrict the medical card to one year or less, depending on how frequently the condition needs monitoring.
How many 3-month DOT medical cards can you have?
One only. You should have the condition, which caused the restriction, under control by the end of the 3-month window.
With the typical 3-month medical card, you needed to do something to bring some physical condition under control. If you did that, and you go back to see your last DOT examiner, he can issue you a new medical card for typically one year. If you didn’t fix the issue, he can choose not to extend the card. So get the condition taken care of and don’t have to worry about short term medical cards.
Is there a difference between a DOT physical card and a DOT medical certificate?
No. These terms are used interchangeably. They are most often referred to as a DOT medical certificate when referring to the medical card, and DOT physical when referring to the DOT physical exam.
I lost my medical card. How do I go about getting another one? Do I have to do the DOT physical again?
No you do not have to do the physical exam again. The medical examiner is required to keep a copy of the exam documents for three years. If you need a replacement medical card you should contact the medical examiner.
How do overweight truck drivers pass the DOT physical?
Being overweight is not a restriction to passing the DOT physical exam. It is the medical conditions that being overweight eventually leads to, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease, that may affect your ability to safely drive a commercial vehicle. That is what the DOT Physical exam will determine – whether you have any of these restrictive medical conditions. Getting healthy and staying healthy is your best guarantee for your life and your livelihood.
Does the DOT physical require a driver to be completely healthy… does that include sexually transmitted diseases?
No. An STD will not affect a DOT examination.
What if I’m disqualified – may I request another DOT physical?
This really depends on why you were disqualified.
Doc shopping used to be what folks did, but that is changing with DOT and FMCSA. If all medical examiners are following the guidelines and regulations, then it would not matter where you go, you would still be disqualified if the same situation exists.
If the disqualification seems unreasonable, and you feel you are truly fit enough to safely drive a CMV, then discuss the concerning condition with the medical examiner, and ask for options that may help you to be reconsidered for certification.
Second opinion: A driver always has the option of getting a second opinion. If the qualification restrictions or disqualification seems unreasonable, and you feel you are truly fit enough to safely drive a CMV, you should find a different clinic to get a second opinion. The new examination decision supersedes the previous examination.
What if I don’t disclose a medical condition when I go through the DOT physical exam?
When you complete the health history section on the long form you must certify that your responses are complete and true. Making a false statement for concealing a disqualifying condition may invalidate the examination and any medical certificate issued, based on it.
What about “shopping” for a DOT doctor who will be “lenient” on the qualifiers for DOT medical certification?
Some drivers used to do “shopping around”. Starting 2016, the FMCSA reporting system with the National Registry will have the capability to flag multiple exams, identify missing or false information reported by the driver in the Driver Health History section of the MER Form, MCSA-5875, and make a determination to void the driver’s MEC, Form MCSA-5876, if appropriate.
It isn’t an issue of lenience. It’s an issue of whether you, as a driver, are safe and medically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle. It’s about safety for you and the public at large. Do what you need to do to be medically fit to pass the DOT examination and don’t worry about finding a lenient DOT doctor.
Second opinion: A driver always has the option of getting a second opinion. If the qualification restrictions or disqualification seems unreasonable, and you feel you are truly fit enough to safely drive a CMV, you should find a different clinic to get a second opinion. The new examination decision supersedes the previous examination.
Certified medical examiners are now required to understand the role of a commercial driver. The doctor who understands the lifestyle and job challenges of a driver, should really want to help you alleviate conditions that could potentially threaten not only your livelihood, but also your life, and possibly the lives of others if a catastrophic event could occur. So if you need a second opinion, look for a medical examiner who considers the big picture of fit for duty rather than one who does a checklist exam.
Can’t Find An Answer For Your Question?
If you have a question that you feel has not been answered, scroll down to the Questions and Comments box and post your question.
- Before posting, please make sure you are on the appropriate Category page, so that relevant questions and answers can be found by other drivers too.
- To save us all from zombie spammers, your question will not appear on this page until it has been approved.
- Trucker Docs™ will answer your question as soon as possible.
- Visit this page again soon to see our response.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
Your comments are also welcome.
In the state of Connecticut..if you have a renewal date of September 20th 2022 for your DOT Medical Card..can you get a 90 day grace period to get your Dot Medical Card?
@ Mike
DOT/FMCSA has extended their grace period to the middle of October, so no 90 day extension is needed.
Hi
I am in New York State. I will begin my training next week for CDL and before taking permit test i need to do my DOT physical. I smoke marijuana (recreationally). How is this going to effect me? How long until it is out of my system and safe to do the physical?
@ Diana
Lots depends on the rate of consumption. Figure anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks before drug testing clean.
Who is responsible for sending in a medical card renewal to the state? We had a driver that just got his renewed and we pulled in for an inspection and they told him that his card was not registered at the state and that the medical doctor was the one that was supposed to send the copy in. So are they supposed to send it in or are we supposed to send it in? The officer that did the inspection told him that he couldn’t be the one to send it in, that it had to be the doctor but when we called the doctor we were told that we had to send it in that they we not responsible to do that. So who is right?
@ Jack M
Ultimately the driver is responsible for getting the information to the state. DOT/FMCSA had a plan for the doctors to input the data to the federal data base and then the fed would get the information to the state. That was supposed to happen a few years ago. If you want it done right, do it yourself is still the best measure.
My DOT Physical was due in August, but due to 2 major surgeries I could not get it done. My meds alone would have disqualified me. I am healing now and don’t want to lose my CDL. Am I too late already? I live in Utah.
@ Sherry
Not Yet, but go get the medical card certification done now and get into UT. ASAP.
I went in for my first physical to get my card so I could go get my permit. I was told I was DQ for checking a box saying have I ever done marijuana. Everybody told me to just go somewhere else and retest. I went to another state and tested and changed this answer and was given my medical certificate.
There was also a box that said “have you ever been denied a medical certificate” and I checked no because I wasn’t sure the first doctor even gave me a full exam. When I told him I don’t use marijuana he kept talking in circles. I asked when I could retest and he didn’t have that answer either.
Am I good to go or am I gonna have the FMCSA busting down my door and get in trouble? I think I just filled the first form out too quickly and didn’t read it well enough.
@ Anonymous
You are good to go.
Thanks so much! You have no idea how much stress that first physical caused me in the past week.
So you’re sure that I’m not red-flagged by whatever database y’all examiners submit physicals to? Nothing’s in my way? Sorry for the anxiety; the second I read about doctors submitting results to some database and all that I thought I was totally screwed. Again stressing I can pass a drug test.
@ Anonymous
The CME inputs data to the federal database when you pass the examination. The examiner that DQ’d you will not have put data in. You are good to go.
I met a driver that is falsifying information to get a medical card who makes me feel unsafe knowing he is driving. This does not seem right. What can a person do in this case?
@ Jose M
Simply notify the drivers employer of the situation.
A few months ago when I had taken my first dot physical (1 doctor passed me but then others didnt), they said because of my brain injury 5-6 years ago (when I was 17, involved in a ped v.s. auto hit and run) I would need another brain exam. What would that Intel? Would they need a brain scan and a full work up or is there a specific doctor I would need to go to and if so what kind of doctors would I need to go to?
@ Jushua b
All you will need is a medical release form from your primary physician or neurologist indicating your situation/condition is stable.
My doctor misdiagnosed me as having epilepsy ( they could find no evidence that was causing my situation so they medical coded it as focal epilepsy) and my CDL/medical card has been pulled.
My neurologist even stated in a letter to DOT, she finds no reason as to why I shouldn’t be able to continue to do my job.
@ Judy
Have your doctors write a note indicating a mis-diagnosis on their part and see if that helps the CME in his decision making process.
Had a traumatic event involving weapons while driving city transit . Suffering from PTSD as a result and now CDL medical certificate examiner has disqualified me because of PTSD. Can’t I have exemptions to keep my CDL as long as I’m not released to work while still in treatment? Not sure anyone would get better from trauma if they start stacking on more trauma like career canceling .
@ WAbus
Unless you are a class A cdl holder, the examiner has held you to a class A standard. As a bus driver, your cdl may require a medical card, but not a federal DOT/FMCSA standard. You would fall under the states guidelines and variances. AND, if you are still in treatment and not driving, you are not qualified to take the medical certification examination. Once released to return to work, then you can take the medical exam.
I was wondering if you go for a DOT physical and the medical person doesn’t do the exam and disqualified you. Can you get unemployment while waiting for another DOT physical
@ Cathy
If there was no examination done, then there is no disqualification. Go get a second opinion elsewhere.
We know nothing about unemployment.