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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.
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Ok, so I had the exam but the DE only approved me for 90 days because he feels that I may have sleep apnea and wants me to go see a specialist and the come back after the 90 days after seeing the specialist. It I passed the exam what gives him the right to tell me I have to see a specialist before I come back after the 90 days.. No other dr including my cardiologist has suggest this..
@ Douglas R
Before the 90 day card expires, go somewhere else for a second opinion.
Have you heard of going to a company’s DOT approved physical doctor, obtaining the health card then the company says it has to be approved by a medical examiner?
@ J
A DOT/FMCSA medical examiner is a medical examiner. Some are physicians and the Fed also approved some advanced nurse practitioners, still under a physicians umbrella.
That’s fine but if you obtained the med card, why would a diff doctor have to approve it?
@ J
There is no reason for another CME or other doctor to approve your medical card. It was completed by a registered CME, then it is good to go, period.
Can someone who just has a work permit get a non excepted interstate Class A Permit?
@ Rosa
It will depend on the class license the individual carries.
Is there a grace period for completing your DOT physical ,Iwill be out of the country at the time my physical would be due .Can I postpone it for a month or two .
@ maurice k
Or get it done now and not worry either way.
My husband is been a driver with the same company for over 20 years. He has a excellent driving record and no negative issues with the company. He has always pasted his DOT physicals, etc. The company’s office is in another state.
A company safety procedure is to review with the driver any incident that causes the truck’s camera to activate (which could be for any reason including tapping the breaks hard or a low hanging sign on a overhead bridge, etc).
In the winter, a few minutes after one such review and all information was cleared, a company supervisor called my husband while he was home and told him that he was sending him to get his recertification (DOT physical). This was a few months earlier than when it was due. We would not have necessarily thought anything about that (my husband and I always have 6 months health checkups because we are getting older and want to stay healthy as possible), however the supervisor sent him to a different DOT Dr office from the one from the last 20 yrs. Then after the Dr said he passed the physical, she left the room. When she returned she handed him some papers saying he had passed the physical and could still drive on his old Card for now but his status was “pending” and that she was sending him for a neurological assessment . She would not explain any thing except his supervisor just called and wanted her send him for other test. The Dr’s assistant administered the DOT physical, he only saw the Dr for about 5 mins. When he asked her why she was sending him for more test, she told him he would have to talk with the supervisor that called her.
He called the supervisor (this is a general supervisor over a department that oversees a lot of drivers, not one he generally ever even talks with) and was told he would have to have the test and pay for it out of his own pocket. He was told if he wanted to keep his job he would have to do what the DOT Dr said. (But the DOT Dr says the supervisor is telling her he wants the other test).
The supervisor is always saying that the driver’s that have never had a wreck are more likely to have one soon so they need to quit while they are ahead. (And the company just had some drivers involved in big $ wrecks costing the company lots of $. We think the supervisor is taking his stress out on him and trying to force him and who knows what other drivers to quit. ( company has 1000’s of drivers).
Is the company allowed to call the DOT Dr and is any of this procedure legal? This is causing a major hardship on my husband and his career. Is the company able to tell the DOT Dr what to do etc? This is going on for months and the company will not work him. He has received a “normal” bill of health from the neurologist/ he passed. Now they are deciding what other kind of test they want to send him for. (The DOT Dr never talks with him, she just says she is waiting to here from his supervisor.) We think it is time for a lawyer. What can be done?
@ Sandra B
Sounds like it is time to talk with legal council. The CME is taking orders from a supervisor? Very strange.
I went for a DOT CDL physical and was told I had to be able to touch my toes or I would not pass my Physical. Is it true that a driver must be able to touch their toes to pass? Because I could not bend over and touch my toes the Doctor Failed Me. What do I do now?
@ Nicholas McC
Some level of flexibility is needed to perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle (cmv) operator, but being able to touch your toes is not a mandatory requirement. Go get a second opinion elsewhere.
I had a heart attack in 2018. It is now just under 5 years with no other problems. They put a stint in at the time of the heart attack. Do I still need a cardiologist to do a stress test each year since I have had no issues in nearly 5 years?
@ Kevin D
You need a stress test every two years for DOT/FMCSA class A cdl. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the state guidelines and variances.
I’m currently a driver in Hawaii with a new Hawaii cdl because I transferred my license from Texas to Hawaii. My dot medical card I got from Texas is valid and has my old drivers license number on it. The new job im wanting to work for had me do a second physical for another medical card for them. During the physical the doctor instead of giving me a two year gave me a three month card because of a condition I had on my last medical card and it’s no longer a condition. The question I have after explaining is does the new dot medical card void my Texas Medical card since technically getting the new medical card was a second opinion and my Texas medical card had not expired at all and was not even close to expiration.
@ Mike C
Unfortunately the new card voids the Texas medical card. Try to get a note from your primary care physician indicating your old condition is no longer an issue.