Things To Prepare For Your Appointment
- Make sure to continue taking your prescribed medications as usual.
- Wear loose clothing for the physical exam.
- Don’t use the restroom just before your appointment. You will need to give a small urine sample for a kidney screen. This is not for a drug test.
Things You Must Bring To Your Appointment
- Your valid driver’s license and /or other photo ID.
- Eye glasses or contact lenses, if applicable. If you recently had an eye exam it would be helpful, but not necessary, to bring that exam report with you.
- A working hearing aid, if applicable.
- List of medications, and the name and contact information of the prescribing doctor.
- Medical release opinion letter (get template) from your primary doctor or specialist for any medical conditions being treated, or recent illness, injury, or surgery.
- Current FMCSA Waiver or Exemption Certificate or Skills Performance Evaluation if applicable.
What To Expect During The Examination
The doctor will review your health history with you.
Conduct a thorough physical examination.
Run a urine screen (dip-stick test) for urine specific gravity, urine protein, urine blood, and urine sugar, to check for the onset of possible disqualifying medical conditions.
How Long Is A DOT Medical Card Good For?
- 2 years – If you meet all the FMCSA DOT Regulations for Commercial Driver Fitness.
- A limited time, usually 1 year or 6 months, if periodic monitoring is required for certain medical conditions.
- A limited time, usually a 1 to 3 month window, if you have a recently diagnosed condition that you are working with your primary care doctor to get under control.
- Disqualified. A medical condition or medication may cause your medical card to be disqualified until the disqualifying conditions are rectified.
Put In A Nutshell
Help the DOT doctor help you. Come prepared to your DOT Physical exam appointment. Bring everything you need.
Then it’ll just be a matter of checking through each item on the Medical Examination Report and you should be done and set with your new DOT Medical Card in about 30 to 45 minutes.
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.Other Questions About the DOT Physical
Do I need to bring the DOT Physical form with me?
No. The DOT doctor will have the forms that are needed.
• The Medical Examination Report MCSA-5875 (Long Form).
• The Medical Examiner’s Certificate MCSA-5876 (DOT Card)
To save time, some DOT physical offices will make the Driver Information and Health History section of the Medical Examination Report available before your appointment, so you can complete it before the exam.
Do I have to get naked for a DOT physical?
No, you do not have to get naked. You may need to loosen or remove your shirt so the examiner can listen to heart sounds and do an abdominal check.
Does a DOT physical include a drug test?
No, drug testing is not part of a DOT physical exam.
Be aware that if you have been sent by your company for a DOT physical, they may request – in addition – that a drug screen is done. The drug test is an additional cost.
What is the DOT physical urine test used for?
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.
What if I conceal a conditional or disqualifying medical condition?
On the first page of the Medical Examination Report you must certify that your responses are complete and true. Making a false statement for concealing a medical condition may invalidate the examination and the Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
I usually get high BP only when this DOT physical is due!! What can I do? “
Here are some tips to manage your blood pressure and have it measure as low as possible during the exam.
For any other questions go to our forum for Frequently Asked Questions.
if you were elliptic 20 years ago and haven’t taken medication in 20 yrs, not been seen by a doctor for them will you still need to be release by a neurologist?
@ Bf w
Most likely. The FMCSA guidelines are fairly strict on this issue. A release form from a neurologist would be a big help in the CME’s decision making process.
I had to do a dot physical for a non cdl driving position, but because I had a perscription for oxy but do not take it they refuse to pass me on my physical. Even though I passed my drug test. What do I need to do to get Dot approved ?
@ T Lee
You will have to find a CME who understands the differences between Federal FMCSA Dot physicals and your states variances.
Currently I am looking to go to school for class A cdl long haul. Been diagnosed with PTSD from a past turmoil but been diagnosed with bipolar disorder that is being controlled by medication. Have my doctor statement about this situation, but still afraid that I won’t get my medical card. What do I need to do
@ Alondra
Your medications are going to raise questions and will require supporting medical documentation and a sign medical release form from your prescribing physician.
Can I complete the medical and physical at the same approved doctors office?
@ James
For FMCSA they are one and the same.
Hi I got a medical card before I started school there was an issue of the medication I was taking and I had to have a doctor say it’s safe for me to take this medication while I am driving a truck problem is I no longer see that doctor I’m no longer on his care so that doctor would not sign off on it meantime I started school so the school decided to send me for another physical I listed the current medication that I had gotten filled on January 15th that prescription Runs Out February 15th it was my mistake for putting it on the paperwork I thought I had to list everything that I had gotten feels even though I wasn’t taking it so now I’m at a standstill that doctor says the same thing I can’t give me a clear medical card until I get an okay from the doctor saying it’s okay to take the medication so now it’s February the 19th and I’m wondering should I go and try to get a medical card now because now the prescription has ran out and I do not have refills I would really like to start back to school but they say I have to get my medical card straightened out first
@ Candy B
You could either go for the new examination or try to find a new medical doctor that will sign you off.
I have neourpathy in my leggs and I lost my leg below knee. I’m suppose to be drive 3/4 commerical truck across stateline with livestock (empty). My doctor told me he would pass me on DOT and the company doctor didnt do that, my employer is getting upset with me because this is dragging out!!!
Know what should I do???
@ Scott
The DOT examiner is using the FMCSA guidelines and you fall under the states regulations. You are not an OTR driver and should not be evaluated as one. Explain to the examiner that you drive as a non OTR driver and have the information from the state licensing department that supports the states guidelines vs the FMCSA. The examiner should know the FMCSA AND the states requirements/guidelines.
Hello, I have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure both controlled by medication, would like to know if either would disqualify me from passing a DOT physical?
@Brian
You’ll need a medical release form from you treating physician. Insulin dependent is a disqualified for interstate drivers.
I had Cartledge replaced in my right knee six weeks ago had six injections once a week for six week I have a knee brace on for know and a walking cane for some support until the strength is back I do stairs can climb in/out of the truck is their any regulation that says the use of a cane is prohibited with a class A CDL I was told it’s a safe issue for my dot physical
@Craig
It is a safety issue. You should be fully recovered before you go back for your next DOT physical.
I had a hair test done the doctor call 2weeks later say I tested positive for. Marijuana and I never smoke the drug in my life can anyone explain.thanks.therefore I was terminated.its quite obvious it’s wrongful termination.
@ Charles
You can request a retest if there is any questions about the results.
Wait, what?! Hair test?! What is this? I never read anything about a hair test? Is that a new drug test?
@ Samantha
Hair testing for drug use has been around for quite a while, but too expensive for most companies. It does have the capability to determine drug usage with in the past year.
Yeah me too. This is misleading. All they state on here is a urine test but a hair follicle test can go back 1 yr and more. I stopped smoking marijauna 5 months ago and now that will hinder me. Like what we did a year ago matters. People do change. As long as it isn’t present anymore is what matters. But no they want to beat you for it… well this sucks and I’m out
@ Marcus
Hair follicle drug testing is not a part of the DOT/FMCSA examination. Drug testing that is requested by the employer is a separate issue and is up to the request of the employer and is at their expense.
Or hire a lawyer and sue. My father in law had the same exact issue with a drug test. Never used or consumed marijuana a day in his life. He hired a lawyer, cashed out nice in the end!!