DOT Physicals for $59

All medical examiners performing DOT physicals must be trained and certified by the FMCSA.

Why did the FMCSA regulations change?

Driving a commercial motor vehicle means long, hard hours on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations to better reflect the physical demands drivers face and to help them be safer on the job. The new regulations require all medical examiners performing DOT physicals to:

  1. Be trained and certified in the FMCSA standards
  2. Report exam results monthly to the FMCSA.

What are DOT physicals?

Federal law requires drivers of commercial motor vehicles (DMVs) to receive regular physical examinations. These exams are defined as the “Department of Transportation Medical Examinations.” DOT physicals are highly regulated for the drivers’ safety. They detect physical, mental, and emotional issues that can affect a driver’s ability to safely drive a commercial vehicle. DOT medical examiners are specially trained to understand the regulations and prevent drivers from being inappropriately disqualified.

All commercial drivers whose current medical certificate expires on or after May 21, 2014, at expiration of that certificate must be examined by a medical professional listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

How long is a DOT physical exam certificate valid?

A DOT physical exam is valid for up to 24 months or 2 years maximum. The medical examiner may also issue a medical examiner's certificate for less than 24 months when it is indicated to monitor a condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Physical requirements defined by the US Department of Transportation include:

  1. Vision: You must have 20/40 correctable vision in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are acceptable to correct a driver’s vision.
  2. Hearing: You must perceive a forced whisper voice at 5 feet or more with or without hearing aid. Otherwise, you must undergo a formal hearing test with an audiometer and pass.
  3. Blood Sugar: Your blood sugar level must be under 200 for a finger stick test or under 10% for a Hemoglobin A1C test.
    • Diabetes controlled through diet and/or an oral medication is permitted
    • Insulin Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form (ITDM), MCSA-5870, must be completed by the ITDM individual’s Treating Clinician attesting that the individual has a stable insulin regimen and properly controlled diabetes.
      1. You can download the Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment at Form MCSA-5870
  4. Your blood pressure must meet the following criteria:
      • 140-159/90-99 for 1 year certificate
      • 160-179/100-109 for a 3 month temporary certificate at examiners discretion
      • Greater than 180/110 is disqualifying
    *Prescription medication to control blood pressure is permitted.
  5. Use of medications varies. Please see your physician, contact your local DOT office, or visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
  6. If you have a current diagnosis of cardiac insufficiency, collapse, congestive cardiac failure or any other cardiovascular disease you will be required to provide the Medical Examiner with a stress test (needs to be performed within the last 12 months) along with a release from your cardiac physician stating that you can drive a commercial motor vehicle without restrictions.

Factors or conditions which could prevent you from obtaining the required DOT clearance include:

  • Uncontrolled or untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
  • Back injury (recent)
  • Major surgery (recent)
  • Hernia (currently)
  • Workmen’s compensation claim (recent)
  • Any uncontrolled health condition that could cause unsafe driving

Common Medical Conditions That Can Disqualify a Driver

  1. History of epilepsy (seizure disorder).
  2. Diabetes requiring the use of insulin, UNLESS you bring a Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form (ITDM) MCSA-5870 to your DOT Physical exam.

    Form MCSA-5870 Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form

  3. Failing to meet the minimum vision standards or having a chronic eye disease like glaucoma
    UNLESS you bring the Vision Evaluation Report Form MCSA–5871 completed by your
    ophthalmologist or optometrist to your DOT Physical exam.

    Form MCSA-5871 Vision Evaluation Report Form

  4. The use of some medications:
  5. Loss or impairment of an arm or limb that interferes with commercial driving or tasks related
    to driving, unless accompanied by a Skills Performance Certificate (SPE).
  6. Inner-ear disorders that cause vertigo or other balance issues
  7. Heart conditions
  8. Sleep disorders
  9. Psychiatric disorders
  10. A history of alcoholism disqualifies you.

DOT Physicals for $59

Dr. Channing C. Bolick, D.C.
National Registry #: 5724319540
Certification Test Expiration: 05/23/2024

Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination

About this Form

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers maintain a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate to drive. As part of the physical, you are required to fill out the medical history portion of the Medical Examination Report of Commercial Driver Fitness Determination.

About this Page

This page is for informational purposes only. FMCSA and DOT regulations and guidelines are constantly being updated by the regulatory entities. Please go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov for the most update and complete information.