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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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Your comments are also welcome.
My brother and I have both been diagnosed with genetic hemochromatosis. I am trying to convince my father, who drives a tanker for an oil company, to at the very least have his iron levels tested, but he is concerned an official diagnosis my pose a problem for his CDL. So my question is even if he were to discover he has hemochromatosis, would this disqualify him from driving?
@ Diana
The diagnosis would not be an issue, with proper medical documentation from his physician. The related symptoms of hemochromatosis could be, later on.
How do I file a complaint against a medical officer? I went to get a physical and the Dr. made me get a heart cath even though I have a letter from my cardiologist stating that there is no reason I cannot drive and work. He says ” as a driver you have to be able to change a tire” I told him I’m not certified to change tires or work on the truck never seen a jack on any truck I’ve driven.
@ Steve T
Check FMCSA website. There is a way, but seems to be hidden in the site somewhere.
My current medical card is good until May 2020. the last time I had it renewed was right after I had surgery to remove my gall bladder and repair an umbilical and abdominal hernia without mesh. The card then was good for about another month, and I had to take a week off of work to complete the surgery.
Long story short, the abdominal hernia reappeared over the last 6-9 months, it has never affected my ability to do my job. I just took a week of vacation and had the abdominal hernia repaired with mesh this time. While I would obviously report the issue when I take my next physical, do I have to retake my physical now before I return to work, or do I take my physical again prior to May 2020?
@ Matt
You need to retake your DOT medical examination card before returning to work.
I am a non CDL driver for 2 companies. I am required by one(fedex) to have a medical certificate, not by the other. I’m wondering why the drivers at job #2 are not required to have this certificate. I do not cross state lines but do deliver items that have been transferred from out of state. I drive a commercial vehicle, 26k lbs. Why would these drivers not need a medical certificate?
@ Pamela P
Most states require a medical card to operate a vehicle used for commerce. Your second company may be operating outside the state requirements. Also, FedEx is a nationwide company. Confirm the need for a medical card for company two with your local drivers license department.
This is probably a stupid question, but what happens if I have been back and forth between Utah and Colorado, and I wasn’t notified that my license was suspended due to me not completing my next DOT physical? I recently 100% relocated to Colorado, and was planning on going to get my license changed, only to find out that it’s suspended for failure to complete a new DOT physical. I haven’t been operating any kinds of CMV’s, and I didn’t get anything in the mail or through e-mail, let alone phonecall, informing me of this suspension. And I had been under the impression that it would merely be downgraded to a regular license status in the event that I didn’t renew my DOT card. Zero notification and then finding out through my brother-in-law’s insurance company that my license is showing up as suspended seems akin to entrapment to me. So, what needs to be done in this situation? How would that be remedied?
@ Ariella S
Get a valid DOT medical certificate and present it to your issuing states drivers license department. If they need additional information, they will tell you what to do.
I have Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) which I have taken medication for the last 4yrs would this condition disqualify me driving a school bus?
@ L A
If you are a class A driver, then there will be serious questions. As a school bus driver with a lesser class license, the answer is with the state. Check with your state drivers license department
I was offered a job driving and the General Manager of the company told me I couldn’t pass the DOT Drug Test and Physical because I am on Dialysis and don’t urinate enough to fill the cup at the level they want. I offered to go get my own Blood Test at LAB Corps and pay for it myself.. The GM told me that they only accept urinalysis test. That didn’t sound right, with today’s technology, there are hair and mouth swab testing for drugs. Are there any DOT regulations that would keep me from passing a drug test because I’m on Dialysis?
@ Dahryl K D
The GM must want the normal report that goes with a DOT drug screen. But yes the technology is available to drug test you. No FMCSA restrictions other than being on dialysis.
Should there be an additional charge for the urine test? I paid . Then 2 weeks later I get a bill for $25 for the urine test.
@ Earl M. C
No, the testing for blood, sugar, and protein are all part of the DOT examination.
What if you have sugar in the urine and they make you do a stick and then charge $63 for the stick, is that extra charge allowed ??
@ Jimmy F
There should be no additional charge for a urine analysis dip stick.