A commercial driver came into our office at Chiro Stop…
The driver, we’ll call him Tom, comes into the office yesterday, really p*ss*d off. He had been trying to get his DOT medical card from his usual doctor.
The doctor and his staff had been putting off Tom coming in for his DOT medical exam. The reason was that the doctor was “delayed in getting throughout the FMCSA material modules” and that he was “going to be on the National Registry soon”.
When Tom called and pressed for a date to take his DOT physical exam, the staff stated that their doctor was on the NRCME and the driver could get his examination done there. Tom goes into the office for the exam and asks – to verify the doctor is a DOT certified doctor on the NRCME – and is told “yes”.
Tom meets the qualifications and passes the DOT physical. He’s relieved that he has a new medical card before the old one expires.
Back at the front office, Tom is charged $140.00 for the DOT medical exam and an additional $90.00 for lab work, that according to the doctor is mandatory for the DOT examination. A total of $230.00 for a DOT exam and medical card. Tom questions the additional lab fees stating that it is not a part of the DOT examination and is told by the doctor that it’s a new rule. Tom pays and leaves with his new medical card and paperwork.
Tom then goes to the Utah drivers license office to turn in his self certification and a copy of his new medical card. The agent at Utah DPS checks his paperwork and tells Tom that his doctor is not listed on the FMCSA National Registry (NRCME) – That his medical is of no use to them!
Passed His DOT Physical Exam But His Medical Card Is Invalid
Tom may have QUALIFIED for a DOT Medical Card, but the card he has in hand is NOT VALID!
Now Tom is really peeved. Here is a driver who has been diddled around, overcharged, and has nothing that he can use to continue to drive. Tom calls a buddy to ask where to go to get a valid medical card, and he ends up here at Chiro Stop.
So, Tom walks into our office, really p*ss*d 
but very pleasant 
. His story takes a while to tell, but within 30 minutes he’s qualified – passed his DOT physical. He saves time because our office faxes all his paperwork to Utah DPS. We fax medical certification information routinely to Utah DPS, and they’re very helpful and efficient. If there is any question, they contact us immediately. We laminate a wallet medical card for Tom, give him copies of the medical examiner’s certificate and long form. Only $80 for everything. Tom walks out of our office a happy camper, valid medical card in hand, ready to head on down the road.
Thanks to Trucker Docs expert panel doctor, Dr. Kenn Seals, for contributing to this article. You can find Dr. Seals at Chiro Stop in Salt Lake City, UT.
Put In A Nutshell
You Don’t Need To Be Ripped Off Under The New 2014 DOT Physical Exam Requirements
- As of May 21, 2014, interstate CMV drivers are required to obtain physical examinations and a medical examiner’s certificate from a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry. Even if the doctor is in the process of getting certified, but not yet listed, the DOT physical and card will be invalid.
- Any mistakes written on the medical examiner’s certificate will invalidate the medical card.
- Be sure to check the DOT physical cost up front. Some DOT physical locations charge an additional fee for the urinalysis, which is a simple but required test to check for medical problems indicated by the kidneys.
- There are other pitfalls too – such as the big issue with sleep apnea screening – that a commercial driver renewing or getting a new DOT medical card, may not be aware of.
What is the cost to you of an invalid medical card? It pays to do your homework before you go for your next DOT physical exam. Ask other drivers about their experience and recommendations for a DOT physical location.
You don’t need to be ripped off on costs, hidden fees, and unnecessary add-on tests. But… “too much to pay” may be about more than just about dollars out of your pocket.
Looking for the cheapest DOT physical location may not serve you either if you can’t make an appointment, you’re kept waiting in line for hours, or you’re screened inappropriately for additional tests. What is your time worth to you? With a little inquiry you can find an affordable and convenient DOT physical doctor, and get your medical card the same day.
I work for a trucking company as a driver. In February, 2022 my medical card was expired and I took the new one before expired old one. And I sent new medical card to my company to update DMV. And I work till May 2022 and I left vocation to overseas. I came back 1st September and I started working, yesterday I was noticed my Cdl license has been canceled. I called DMV but nobody answered. And I check my Cdl status on dmv website, there is shown NO medical card. I wondered and I’ve checked my dot medical card, and I see there is my driver license number written wrong. What can I do now? If I go to DMV, will they renew my Cdl or they make me retest? Or should I go to clinic which gave me wrong medical card. Please, give me information about this. Thanks
@ Jo
Go to the examiners office and have the card corrected. Then take the new/corrected medical card to your local DLD. That should correct the issue. Make a copy of the old card to show where the error occurred.
I went for my DOT physical and of course was approved. I thought everything was fine and then 3 weeks later I get called into the office and I’m told that the nurse practitioner has denied my DOT physical. The reason they are giving is because I am currently on Buprenorphine and I have been on this medicine since before I started for the company. There was never a issue ever, the only thing that they ever said was that I had to do my DOT physical every year. I dont understand what is going on? There is no reason except that she changed her mind. I can’t just quit cold turkey and have to quit taking the medicine the right way. Can they just approve me and then 3 weeks later just take it away like its a piece of candy? This is my life they are playing with. I cant drive until I find someone else to do the physical or quit medicine cold turkey.
@ michelle c
If you received a medical card at the time of the examination, then she, the CME, can not just decide to take it back. She knew of your meds and the length of time and reasoning behind your use of these meds. Do not just quit taking your medication. If you have a valid medical card, then you can still drive. Make sure you have medical release forms from your prescribing doctors and plenty of medical documentation regarding you and the use of these medications.
I took exam passed exam paid for exam and did not receive the certificate to present to motor vehicle administration. The company name for the exam is pivot occupational health. I need the name of a legitimate doctor for this examination in my area would be nice, since dmv will not provide a list or anything helpful to assist commercial drivers with this.
@ Wilbur P
If you passed the examination, you should have received a copy of your long form and a medical certificate for you to carry and present as needed. Go back to the facility and request copies or an explanation as to why you did not receive any paperwork.
In April 2022 I got two years medical card and long form from my doctor in Jackson Ga ok on August 29 2022 when to Birmingham Alabama for J&M got and medical card from a doctor out there but on the long form and medical card my driver license number is wrong what happened now two years on medical card back in April and now driver license is wrong on this one
@ Richard D
If your April medical card has the correct lis. #, it will still be good. The August medical card may have been input to the FMCSA/NRCME, but is incorrect. If you need the latter card for your work, then have the doctors office correct their error.
I’ve been a truck driver for 5 years and have been issued a CPAP, which I hate! I don’t sleep well when I use it as the hose ends up wrapped around my neck, the mask dislodged or it moves so that its making a loud noise that wakes up my wife.
What other options are there in order to comply with DOT rules so that I can continue driving with a Class A CDL?
@ Steve P
If you truly do have OSA, then the cpap would be a blessing. See if you can retest and if there is no sign of OSA that would require a cpap unit, then have the doctor write a supporting letter and a copy of your test results for you to take to your next DOT physical.
Any clue when the FMCSA site will be back online so that we can upload the completed DOT exams?
@ Mark J
Well it’s been down for a while, so your guess is as good as any ones.
The doctor would not see me when he saw that I was on Med. lantus so no renew card Cdl
can I do anything about it /
@ Philip T
Your medication implies that you are an insulin dependent diabetic. Your doctor would need to have more information before starting an examination.
I have a valid DOT medical card, my company said they will not honor that card and told me I have to go to their Doctor and get a new physical and a new card. If my card is valid how can they make me get a new one ? Why would I need two cards? The doctor that performed my physical is on the National Register. I have never heard of such a thing
@terry
Must be some weird company policy. Otherwise we would just be guessing as to why they have made such a request.
We have a driver who has been issued 3 month certificates by separate examiners. He is supposed to get a sleep study and/or stress test completed but just continues to get 3 month cards from different doctors. What are the rules concerning 3 month certificates? My understanding is that a 3 month certificate can only be issued once for a specific problem.
@Steve
He should be disqualified until he completes the required test. He is now a possible safety issue. One three month card to get his stuff together, that’s it. FMCSA will ultimately catch up to this, but like all government offices, they are overwhelmed and understaffed.