FMCSA DOT Logo
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a list of frequently asked questions on their website.
You can find FMCSA FAQ at this link
Please read through Trucker Docs™ 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
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.
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.
I am a motor coach operator and my medical card expires 4/2020. My question is, if i am not working for a motor coach company can i go for a dot medical on my own so my license don’t be downgraded?
@ Luis
Absolutely.
Thank you very much. Happy Holidays.
@ Luis
Thank You, you and your family have Happy Holidays also.
If I prefer to get my dot physical done with my personal dr but my company wants me to go to their dr. Can I get approval from my dr. And then go to their dr. If their dr doesn’t approve me can I file the first test without losing my cdl. ?
@ Tom
If your doctor is a federally registered CME, then he can do the examination and put your results into the FMCSA data base. If the company want you to go to their doctor, his decision can over-ride your doctors input. The company doctor is not going to accept a letter of approval from another CME. Do the company doctor first and get his results. If you need a second opinion, then go to your doctor.
That is NOT what my Atty advised. Just the opposite in fact. My Atty advised going to another DOT Certified Dr. BEFORE going to your Company Dr. If your Company Dr. doesn’t issue you a DOT Card, but the 1st Dr. did, your Company DR. could have some explaining to do to the State Board of Medicine. The company my work uses, called Concentra, has allegedly been Sued on behalf of thousands of people for Workers Comp related problems. If any big company worth a Billion Dollars can make more money from what it’s Sued for than it has to pay out IF it’s caught, why wouldn’t it? And any Contractor for the place you work for is NOT being paid by you to protect your best interest. I would, and have, rather take my Atty with me to a Physical my job depends on, that trust a company that is being paid by my employer.
@ Jimmie D B
You and your attorney have a pretty clear picture on this issue.
Do non-CDL need a medical exam if they drive CMV in the state of California?
@ Kristin
Check with California drivers license department for your best answer.
does my current address and my drivers license address have to match to get my recert. I live at a different address as my current drivers license addressand I want the recert paperwork to be correct.
@ Dee M
Most states require you to update correct address as soon as possible. For DOT officers, it makes life much easier.
I have a valid DOT Medical card that doesn’t expire until 7-20-21. It was issued in ohio. I live in michigan. I already submitted that card to my company’s HR and the Secretary of State shortly after i got it. today out of the blue my supervisor told me that HR is demanding I get a new DOt card from michigan at Concentra. This card is good in all 50 states correct? I told him as much and then right away he said he was going to tell HR that i refused to comply. I got pissed and said if they fired me then im going to sue! So i came here and then happen to see there are issues with Michigan not recognizing exams by Chiropractors yet i never got any such notice from the Secretary of State. What are my options and how screwed am i?
@ Chance
There are a few states that the medical profession have a strong-hold in. First check with your local drivers license department to determine if DLD accepted your valid medical card from Ohio. If they did, then question HR at the company.
Okay I have a question. For non CDL Interstate drivers where a medical card is required… If a driver has a medical card from one state but moves to another state and is issued another non CDL license, does that driver have to take another physical with the new license information? Again this is non CDL (10,001 – 26,000) interstate traffic.
@ Deborah H
Confirm this with your states drivers license department, but we believe he would require a new medical card to coincide with the new drivers license.
After my DOT physical my employer said she wanted the original copy of the Med Card. The doctor said they print them out there is no original as it’s all done on the computer, is this acceptable for my employer? Can I give them a copy? Can I also photo copy the med card so I have a copy for myself? Do I have the physicians office print me out a few copies?
@ Rusty
You keep the original copy signed by the medical examiner and give the company a copy.
I have my DOT med card from my full time employer. My part time employers now wants me to get a new physical. They will then give me a new DOT med card. Does this make my first invalid? Do I have to carry both?
@ Rusty
One valid medical card is all that’s needed. If you have a second examination, it will invalidate your present card once it’s entered into the FMCSA data base.
I am out on workmans comp and my fed med card is going to expire and I went in for my dot physical and the doctor would not approve until I am back to work is there an exemption from this until back to work
@ Rich
No, DOT does not have an exemption for this situation. Check with your state drivers license department for guidance to maintain your cdl while waiting to get a new medical card.
On October 24th I renewed my Physical Exam at Company Clinic 2 weeks before the one I have om file with CA DMV . It’s been 2 days since the one on file expired will I be cited even if I have a valid phycial card with me.
@ Gus s
You are CA. and they will suspend your drivers license until they have a valid copy of your new medical card.
How long can you go without a medical card before your cdl can’t be reinstated?
@ Niko N
Different states have different requirements. Check with your states drivers license department for your best answer.
I had a driver sited even though they had a valid MEC, It was not filed in the state of CA and not only was he cited, it resulted in a CHP audit of his location and the other location in CA.
@ Deborah H
You gotta love California. If the medical card is not on file with the state, then the drivers license is suspended and the DOT has a hay day.
I was off from work due to an eye surgery During that time my card expired I was released by a specialist with no restrictions,, and then took and passed my DOT physical. The Dr said I would be issued my card after my eye Dr provided all medical records and lab work related to the surgery (?) This would take up to 15 days as they were coming from another city and were already archived off their site. I needed to get back to work and after they told me the exam was good for 45 days I asked for a 30 day card which they issued. Last week they called and said the paperwork was in and I needed a whole new exam. Full charge of course They said they can only issue one card for one exam. This is a paperwork thing not a physical thing. Are they correct?
@ Terence
According to the FMCSA guidelines, yes. New cards are only issued following a new examination. The examiners should have provided you with this information prior to the first examination.
My name is Dr. Anthony Acierno, I am a medical examiner in PA. I recently had a request to perform medical exams for medical certification for drivers with a Mexican class C drivers license.
I have yet to perform these exams or to certify any of these drivers. They are here legally, they all have valid unexpired Class C Mexican drivers licenses and are employed by a small local landscaping company.
My questions are: 1) Can I a perform DOT examines to medically certify these drivers, 2) If so, Can I enter their Mexican drivers license on the exam form, the medical certificate and on the Registry’s web site?
@ Dr. Anthony Acierno
You can perform the examination, but you do not need to to input the certification data to the registry. FMCSA examinations were designed for the class A drivers. Your states drivers license department has state guidelines and variances, so check with your state as to what, if any, information is needed by the state.
My car expired oct 11 2019 I’m renewing on October 30 will my license be down graded CDL class c
@ Michael John d
Check with your state drivers license department for the correct answer to this question.
Hello I am a technician for a company that does drug testing, and DOT physicals. I am also a CMT, and my boss is wanting to expand her DOT physicals to include Push, Pull, Lift so that she may get more business opportunities. I have had extensive training with my massage training that also included clinical assessment, and stretching. So what I am needing to know is what certifications, and requirements would we need to achieve Push, Pull, Lift status in our business.
@ Lee A
Push, pull, lift capabilities are more for an employers requirement not FMCSA. You need to check with your state regulators to be in compliance with state law. FMCSA request basic capabilities to perform the duties of a commercial driver, bending, stooping, ranges of motion in limbs and spine, without restrictions or limitation.
Can a driver get a second opinion if he fails a medical certification exam
@ Gabe
Yes, you have the right to a second opinion if you feel the first opinion is incorrect.
My wife passed away on August 15th and Ive been away from work. Im getting ready to go back to work-Oct 2nd. My Company is saying i need to get a recertification of my DOT card- Is this a DOT regulation?
@ Craig C
If your reason for missing work was the death of your wife and not some other personal medical issues, then it’s a company request, not a FMCSA requirement.
Do I need to update the address on my medical card when I move?
@ Christian
It is always best if the drivers license and medical card address’s match.
Is it my employers responsibility to give me ample notice before scheduling me to drive a CMV so as to give me opportunity to obtain proper sleep before reporting for duty
@ Matthew C
It would seem to be the responsible thing to do. Maybe a legal issue.
I was just stopped at a scale and they checked my Med Cert, it is expired and the wrote a ticket but not to me, to my employer…why would they cite my employer?
@ Todd B
The company should be responsible for confirming that a drivers is properly documented before putting him/her in a truck.
have heart bypass surgery and stents in 2007 perform stress test in oct 2018 and renewed dot in 2018 do I had to re do the stress every year or every 2 years
@cHARLES s
New stress test every two years.
I have a current med card, but the new company wants a new med card. The DR wants me to follow up with my primary dr about blood pressure before they will issue my new card. does this make my current med card expire? r can I still use it?
@ Debbie P
If a new DOT physical was performed and reported to the FMCSA data base, then you would be functioning on a new medical card. If they did a blood pressure and did not complete a new DOT medical certification examination, then you are still operating on your old medical card.
Are you required to retake a dot physical if you get dehydrated and fall over?
@ Stephen
FMCSA requires a new DOT physical for any issue that effects the drivers abilities.
My company pays for our dot physicals and because they do they say they have access to DOT physical long form. They make copies and send them to regional safety manager. He then put me out of service pending investigation. He says I lied on long form in order to pass physical. My dot doctor says I didn’t lie and has never heard of such a situation.
@ Gary I
You have the right to request a copy of the documentation being used in his investigation. Talk to your HR department.