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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a list of frequently asked questions on their website.
You can find FMCSA FAQ at this link
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Q&A
Where can I get the new DOT physical / medical examination forms?
Which drivers are required to have a DOT medical certificate?
Does a DOT medical card have to be obtained in the same state as the CDL is from?
Is the DOT medical card transferrable or do I have to get a new one when I start a new job?
Is there a difference between a DOT medical certificate and a DOT physical card?
What are the DOT physical requirements?
Does the DOT physical exam include a drug test?
Can I get a copy of my DOT physical long form or will I have to take another physical?
What do I do if my medical card gets lost or damaged?
Do I need a medical card if I’m a local driver?
What’s involved in a DOT physical examination?
Who can I go to to get my DOT physical exam done?
What is a waiver or exemption and how can I get one?
For how long is my medical certificate valid?
Can my Company have different medical requirements than the FMCSA requirements?
What if I develop a medical condition while my current medical certificate is still valid?
What do I do with the medical certificate and long form once I get them?
Do I need to have a medical certificate if I operate a CMV only in my home state?
If a truck has a DOT# on its side, does the driver need a medical card to drive it?
If I’m working for a company is it their responsibility to pay for the DOT physical exam?
Where can I get the new DOT physical / medical examination forms?
PDF Versions of the forms are available at these links on the FMCSA website:
- Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876
Which drivers are required to have a DOT medical certificate?
Interstate:
All CMV drivers who operate in interstate commerce are required to have a medical certificate based on FMCSA requirements.
- If they operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross vehicle weight (GCW), or gross combination weight (GCW) of 10,001 pounds or more.
- If they transport hazardous materials, in a quantity requiring placards.
- If they operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver).
- If they operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers, for direct compensation, beyond 75 air miles from the driver’s normal work-reporting location.
Intrastate:
- Intrastate certification is regulated by the DMV of each state. All states have based their physical qualifications on some of the Federal requirements, but may grant waivers for certain medical conditions.
- Some carriers e.g. FedEx, UPS and DHL, are subject to interstate regulations even if they drive intrastate.
Does a DOT medical card have to be obtained in the same state as the CDL is from?
No. An Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Interstate) is valid nationwide so you can get certified in any state, no matter which state you have your CDL.
See also: Who can I go to to get my DOT physical exam done?
I have a CDL and have been notified to present DMV with a medical certificate or I will lose my driving privileges. I’m not currently driving and may not drive again. Do I need to get a DOT physical just to maintain my license?
For more information see our blog post New FMCSA Medical Certification Requirements.
In order to keep your CDL, some states will allow a CDL holder to certify in a category that does not require a medical certificate e.g. Intrastate Excepted, if they are not currently driving.
You will have to check with your State Drivers License Agency (DMV) to see if they permit this option. This will give you a way to maintain your CDL without a current medical card.
If you want to start driving again, you will first have to get a new medical card, and then visit your DMV, to self-certify in the category that is appropriate for the type of driving you will be doing.
Is the DOT medical card transferrable or do I have to get a new one when I start a new job?
A DOT medical card is valid nationwide and can be used by any company so you don’t have to get a new one.
However… There are companies that have a policy in place that states they want you to have the physical exam done by their own examiner. They can require you to take a new physical exam, if is company policy. They also usually will pay for the exam if they require it.
Is there a difference between a DOT medical certificate and a DOT physical card?
No. These terms are used interchangeably. They are most often referred to as a DOT medical when referring to the DOT medical card, and DOT physical when referring to the DOT physical exam, and sometimes drivers refer to them as a CDL physical or CDL medical.
What are the DOT physical requirements?
Here are 3 ways to understand the DOT physical requirements.
- The hard way:
Read the FMCSA Rules and Regulations Part 391.41 Physical Qualifications For Drivers - The technical way:
Understand what’s on the DOT long form MCSA-5875, FMCSA DOT Medical Examination Report Form - The easy way:
Read Trucker Docs’ guidebook, How To Take The Stress Out Of Getting Your DOT Medical Card
Does the DOT physical exam include a drug test?
The DOT physical exam requirements do not include a drug test. You will still have to give a urine sample which is used for a kidney screen for potential medical conditions.
However, companies require a pre-employment drug test. So your company may request to have a drug screen done at the same time as you take your DOT physical. Not all medical examiner’s offices that conduct DOT physicals have a drug testing service.
Can I get a copy of my DOT physical long form or will I have to take another physical?
Yes, you can get a copy. Just look on your medical card and find the examiner’s phone number. Call and ask for a copy of your medical long form. They may charge you a few bucks for the service, but it’s cheaper than a new examination.
What do I do if my medical card gets lost or damaged?
Call the doctors office that did the original DOT exam and find out what the process is to get a duplicate made and sent to you. The medical office has to keep this information on file for at least three years, so they will have it.
Do I need a medical card if I’m a local driver?
Requirements for local drivers (intrastate) are regulated by the DMV of each state. You will need to check with your state DMV if you are a local driver. All states have based their DOT physical qualifications on some of the Federal requirements, but may grant waivers for certain medical conditions. If you’re a local driver you can still get your medical card from a certified medical examiner. (Find a CME in your state)
In some cases e.g. FedEx, UPS and DHL, drivers are subject to interstate regulations even if they drive intrastate.
What’s involved in a DOT physical examination?
To best understand what’s involved in a DOT physical, read Trucker Docs™ guidebook, How To Take The Stress Out Of Getting Your DOT Medical Card.
See also the FAQ – What are the DOT physical requirements?
Who can I go to to get my DOT physical exam done?
New federal regulations state that starting May 21, 2014, CMV drivers can get medical certificates only from a medical examiner who is FMCSA National Registry Certified.
(Find a registered CME)
Updated: May 2014
Starting May 21, 2014 you can only get medically certified by a federally certified medical examiner – called a CME or Certified Medical Examiner. That examiner will have a National Registry Number, which must be included on the information on the medical certificate issued to a driver.
Medical professionals who participate in the CME program may be MD, DO, DC, APN, or PA.
The caution here is that even though these professionals are certified by FMCSA, some states will not recognize certain categories of medical professional to qualify drivers within that state. The information we have at this time is: Michigan and Washington do not qualify chiropractic physicians to issue medical certificates for their drivers.
What is a waiver or exemption, and how can I get one?
A waiver or exemption gives a driver temporary relief from a regulation; one of more of the FMCSRs.
FMCSA Exemption Programs are for drivers of CMVs that intend to operate in interstate commerce. A driver may apply for an exemption from any of the standards where the driver can show that safety would not be diminished by granting the exemption. The exemption is granted for up to two years, and may be renewed.
See the FMCSA Driver Exemption Programs for more information and details of how to apply.
Intrastate commerce: FMCSA does not have statutory authority to grant waivers/exemptions to drivers from states’ intrastate requirements. Therefore, the FMCSA waivers/exemptions do not permit regulatory relief for drivers who plan to limit their operations to intrastate commerce.
For how long is my medical certificate valid?
- 2 years if the driver meets all the FMCSA standards (see DOT physical requirements)
- If the driver meets standards, but periodic monitoring is required for certain conditions, a medical certificate will be issued for a limited time period. Depending on those conditions the period could be 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or some other time limit. e.g. Medical conditions stable, on treatment include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorder, conditions qualified under exemption.
- If the driver does not meet FMCSA standards, then medical certification is disqualified. e.g. Disqualified due to medical condition and/or medication, stage 3 hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes. “Does not meet FMCSA standards” means the driver is not medically qualified at the time of the examination. Until a certified medical examiner makes a determination that the driver is medically qualified the driver is not able to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.
My medical certificate only expires in nine months. What if I recently developed a medical condition that I couldn’t drive. Can I drive truck again now?
Even if you currently have a ‘current’ medical certificate, you are prohibited from driving a CMV with any medical condition that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, and before resuming operation of CMVs, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
Can my Company have different medical requirements than the FMCSA requirements?
A company must a least meet the FMCSA medical requirements. However, company policy may impose stricter standards than those required by FMCSA.
Can my new employer make me get a DOT physical even if my current medical certificate is still valid for another 18 months?
Yes, the employer can require you to take a new physical exam, if is company policy. They also usually will pay for the exam if they require it.
What if I develop a medical condition while my current medical certificate is still valid?
If you develop a medical condition that may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV, you are disqualified from driving while you have that condition. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, and before resuming operation of CMVs, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What do I do with the medical certificate (MEC) and long form (MER) once I get them?
The Driver:
- Carry the original medical card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate, form MCSA-5876) with you at all times you are driving.
- Keep a copy of the long form (Medical Examination Report, form MCSA-5875) for your records. Even though DOT regulations state that you only need to carry the medical card with you, you’ll save yourself hassle if you carry the long form as well.
- It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that they have a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate on file with their CDL, so make sure you renew the copy of your Medical Examiner’s Certificate together with your Self-Certification affidavit at your State Drivers License Department. (more info on Self-Certification)
The Company:
- The motor carrier is required to keep a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate in the driver qualification file. Drivers, make sure you provide a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate to the company that employs you.
Certified Medical Examiners:
- The medical examiner is required to provide the driver with a paper copy of the original Medical Examiner’s Certificate, form MCSA-5876.
- The medical examiner is required to keep the original long form and a copy of the medical certificate on file for a least three years.
- The medical examiner is required to enter driver examination results online to the National Registry system for each interstate driver examination. The examination results information is reported whether the examination is completed or not i.e. If a driver leaves the examiner’s clinic during the examination because they do not wish to continue, the medical examiner will report the results as “Incomplete Examination”.
Do I need to have a medical certificate if I operate a CMV only in my home state?
Requirements for intrastate drivers are regulated by the DMV of each state. You will need to check with your state DMV. All states have based their DOT physical qualifications on some of the Federal requirements, but may grant waivers for certain medical conditions. If you drive intrastate you can still get your medical card from a certified medical examiner. (Find a CME in your state)
In some cases e.g. FedEx, UPS and DHL, drivers are subject to interstate regulations even if they drive intrastate.
If a truck has a DOT# on its side, does the driver need a medical card to drive it?
Yes, the driver must have a medical certificate to operate a vehicle being used for commerce. So the truck/trailer and driver must be DOT approved, DOT numbers on the truck and trailer and medical card for the driver. You may want to also check you state DMV regulations.
If I’m working for a company is it their responsibility to pay for the DOT physical exam?
That varies from company to company. Some see it as part of the job and some see it as, “if you don’t have a medical card, you don’t have the job.” These is no set in stone answer.
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On a DOT eye exam if I get 3 out of 5 letters correct on the 20/40 line is that considered passing with 20/40 -2 vision
@ Paul P
No. 20/40 means you can read the entire line.
Recently I heard that Kansas schools are no longer requiring DOT physicals for Bus drivers. Maybe I mis heard that they no longer require qualified physicians, in that the personal physicians can perform the DOT physical.
@ LH
Check with your local drivers license department for the answer.
Not really sure what to do, went for me DOT medical card. Passed all tests, drug, vision, hearing, physical etc… the woman giving me my exam tells me she is putting me in “pending” and that I need to get a note from my doc saying that a prescription medicine I am on does not cause me any side effects that would impair my driving. So i go to my doctor to get that note and my prescribing doctor says to me… doctors dont do that. He says well i can tell her that I asked you if the medicine has any side effects that impair your driving and that you said no but as far as giving her a note, thats not up to a doctor. He tells me thats the DMV’s job…. ugh…. what can I do if I cant get my doctor to write the note…. cause he dont want to get involved.
@ Deanna
Talk to the DOT examiner, they should have a simple medical release form for your doctor to sign. Your MD thinks that he is assuming some type of risk, which he is not. DMV has nothing to do with this issue.
My husband had a cbag 8 years ago. He has had a stress test every year since then, the last 4 months ago. We usually take a letter from his cardiologist stating he is clear to work from a cardiac standpoint, with the results. This year we forgot the letter and only had the results which were normal. The doctor refused to give him a card because he did not have and echocardiogram as well. The regs we find have no mention of an echocardiogram unless you are within 3 months post OP from cbag. But still 4 hours later after being at doctor no card until he has an echo. We are so tired of all the hoops and it is costing us a fortune both from missed trips, tests, and doctor bills. The doctor dmsays she goes by some book, but federal motor carriers doesn’t list it as a requirement, so where is she getting her info. Nothing I find lists it. Help please.
@ Jessica H
ECG is not required by the FMCSA, only medical release form from your doctors and a most recent stress test, within the past year. If the DOT examiner is a certified cardiologist, then maybe they see something else that raises questions. If not, then this examiner does not fully understand the FMCSA guidelines and is operating under some ASSUMED perimeters.
can a driver drive a commercial vehicle rated under 26000 with air brakes without a cdl as long as he has a medical card
@ Michael C
Your best answer to your question is going to come from your local drivers license department.
The company that I work for has a medical director that is licensed in the state of Indiana.
Counting myself, there are 3 men who are above 60 who have to get a physical every year.
Apparently according to company policy this doctor can overrule or disregard the results and findings of the DOT certified doctor who gives us our physical.
This is what’s happening, last year Ike took and passed his DOT Physical and the company doctor said no, its not good for a year it’s only good for three months. So Ike went in 3 months and passed again only to be told the same thing again. This happened 3 times one after another.
That doctor did the same thing to me only 1 time.
This year, he set Randy back to just 3 months and demanded to see Randy’s medical records which Randy willingly provided along with letters from his personal doctors verifying that Randy been on his medications long term under their care and was monitored closely and stable.
None of this mattered to that doctor. He made a trip down to our center and permanently revoked Randy’s driving privileges.
This may cost him his job.
Finally, that doctor has once again reduced my DOT certification to just 6 months and he’s asked to speak with my personal physician about my medications.
I gave permission for him to speak with her and she wrote a letter indicating that I am stable with no problems.
Is this ethical or even legal? This company doctor is not even licensed to practice medicine in the state where we work!
If our company has a stricter standard than DOT standards shouldn’t it be written, measurable, and the same for all employees?
Can you please tell if this is permissible under DOT standards and guidelines?
Anything will help.
Many thanks.
@Paul SN
Unless the company doctor is Federally certified as a DOT medical examiner, then he is not able/by law to override a CME’s final findings. What is the company policy regarding this situation? It does not sound right and unless it is in the company policy somewhere it is unethical and wrong.
I have a a1c of 10.5 am dont the rules say i can get a three month card?
@ William
No. The CME makes the decision based on the findings. And a a1c of 10.5 would warrant serious medical evaluation. No CME would issue a medical card with those numbers.
Can the doctors office that preformed my dot physical refuse to give me a copy of the long form?
@ Terra H
By law the cme’s office should have provided you with a copy of the examination at the time of payment.
if a dot medical card expires, who is responsible for scheduling and having the drivers dot medical card updated? Is a company liable if the driver is allowed to operate with an expired dot medical card?
@ David w
We suspect the company would be liable for allowing such a situation. But check with an attorney friend.
We are a small manufacturing plant in Kansas and we have only a 1/2 ton Chevy truck and a midsize van that we ‘go to town’ maybe once or twice per week to pick up supplies such as Sam’s. We have a few drivers that have been approved by our insurance company to drive on behalf of the company and we don’t drive across the country with a large semi or anything like that, and each of our vehicles are under 10,000 pounds. The maximum distance to drive maybe about 20 miles (one way) My question is: do these drivers have to have a DOT exam?
@ Becky N
Check with your state DLD. Some states require valid medical cards for drivers driving a vehicle that is being used for commerce.
I currently have a dot health certificate ,it expires in early may of this year , I am scheduled for surgery near the end of march , what do I do about renewing my health card , my doctor tells me 2 months healing time ,for two rather large hernias. can I get a waiver to renew until at least I am healed properly/
@ Michael B
There is no waiver through FMCSA/DOT. You may want to check with your local DLD and see if they need anything special form you to maintain your CDL.
If a driver possesses a Puerto Rican CDL, can he/she get a DOT physical and be issued a medical certification card? Or, does that driver have to get a United States CDL before he/she can participate in the required physical and receive the updated Medical Certificate.
@ James E. F Jr.
Considering that Puerto Rico is an extended U.S. territory, we would do the physical and issue a valid medical certification card. But, if you want to make absolutely certain, check with FMCSA.
Are dot requirements racist? BMI charts are same for everyone but people of Scottish decent tend to be thicker. I know I’m over weight but to put me on the same scale as say a Frenchman fo height to weight ratio seems absurd. My bones are thicker. In grade school to calculate BMI we used wrist size and it adjusted the scale. I was always given extra weight because I’m built like a Mack truck. I bench press 315 and can easily leg press 800lbs. But because I weigh 265 and have an 18 inch neck every doctor requires an expensive sleep study. I’ve seen people twice as fat as me get a 2 year card because they have no muscle under their fat and just so happen to have a thinner neck.
Why aren’t doctors required to measure our muscle mass before deeming us morbidly obese when I spend 3-4 hours in the gym a day?
@ Kevin
That’s a good idea. Some CME’s have a very full understanding of a drivers life and build. Some want to interpret the guidelines in the facilities favor.
If you have risk factors for sleep apnea, I would understand requiring a sleep study….once. It is unreasonable for you have to get one at every exam. A lot of CMEs have totally misinterpreted the sleep apnea “guideline.”
Yes, I am a CME.
I recently submitted my new and updated Florida CDL Medical Self-Certification card and it is currently in a pending status. I Noticed that i selected Advance Practice Nurse vice Physician Assistant. How can i correct this error? Thank you.
@ Kelvin S
Check with the state drivers license department and ask them which route to take.
I have a valid health card but it wasn’t posted at the DMV with in 18 months. It’s up to date and doesn’t expire till 2020. They took my CDL’s and down grated me to regular license. Is that right?
@ Cory
It’s a state thing not DOT/FMCSA. Talk with your local DLD and see what can be done to correct the issue.
Did you submit the medical card to the DMV yourself?
The examiners submit the results to the feds, but it is the driver’s responsibility to get the new card to the state.
If for some reason my medical card wasn’t sent to DMV and they suspended my CDLs does that also suspend like my class c part of my driver’s license or would it just be I can’t drive a truck?
@ Jason W
Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
Can I have a diffrent mailing address on my DOT Physical or does it have to be the same as my driver license??
@ Jennifer
It is not uncommon for this to happen, but a simple explanation to any one asking should be sufficient.
Does unprescribed Armodafinil-Artvigil 200mg disqualify me? My reason for taking Armodafinil was to study for my EMT school.
@ Jennifer R
It’s going to raise questions, and you have no supporting documentation. Depending on the class license you are testing for will determine the depth of the examination and drug screening you will receive.
I had a candidate come in for a physical today and was stating that the new expiration date should go off of his old card, however we were always told to do it by the date of the patient’s physical. Do you happen to know an answer to this?
@ Kelly
Date of examination is the correct date.
If you have a current medical card, and apply for a new job, and fail the drug screen during the physical for the new job. Will that invalidate your current medical card?
@ David
No, but maybe it should. ?