What is a DOT physical?

Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals are required for all commercially licensed drivers. If you want a career driving large commercial vehicles, you’ll need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a valid DOT medical card. This card can only be obtained after you successfully pass a DOT physical exam. DOT physicals will be required every 1-2 years.

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.

Driver's License: To verify your identity. 

Medication List: A complete list of all medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. 

Medical Records: Any relevant medical records, from any specialists you see, particularly related to conditions that could impact your ability to drive safely, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, or heart issues. 

Visual and auditory aids like prescription glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids that you use while driving. You’re allowed to wear these during vision and hearing assessments.

If you have diabetes, you’ll need a record of your blood sugar readings and your most recent Hgb A1C.

If you have sleep apnea, bring at least 90 days of data from your CPAP machine.

If you have heart issues, you’ll need a letter from your cardiologist saying you’re safe to drive a DOT vehicle. You may also need the results of a recent stress test, ECHO cardiogram, or other tests within the past 1-2 years.

If you’ve had a stroke, brain tumor, seizure disorder, or bleeding in the brain, you’ll need a letter from your neurologist.

If you have a previous DOT card, bring it with you. 

You’ll also need to complete the Medical Examination Report Form MCSA-5875 508pdf. before the exam. Please consider printing and completing it prior to your arrival to your appointment.

Physical exam – The medical provider will check your eyes, ears, mouth, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, extremities, and neurological system for signs of injuries, impairments, or any potential problems.

Vision test – You don’t need perfect 20/20 vision, but you must have at least 20/40 vision in both eyes – with or without glasses or contact lenses. You’ll also need a minimum peripheral vision of 70” in both eyes.

Hearing test – You must be able to hear a “forced whisper” from five feet away – with or without hearing aids.

Blood pressure check – You’ll meet the DOT requirements if your blood pressure is  below 140/90. If it’s between 140/90 and 179/109, you may need to have a medical exam more frequently or be given a temporary medical card.    

Urine test – This test looks for any underlying conditions like diabetes.

Sleep apnea test – If you have symptoms of drowsiness during the day, headaches in the morning, heavy snoring, or gasping while sleeping, you may need a sleep apnea test.

Upon exam completion, the CME will report the results to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). Certified drivers will receive a copy of the medical examiner’s certificate (MEC), or DOT medical card.

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.

Sports physicals are often required to ensure participants are in good health. Sports physicals are also called pre-participation examination (PPE), which are usually required as a part of registering youths for participation in a sport. A PPE helps to ensure that the athlete is healthy and physically capable for their chosen sport, such as basketball, track, baseball, football, or soccer. They’re usually straightforward exams that assess a patient’s overall health and wellness. A sports physical is not intended to replace a comprehensive annual well exam or other screenings. Therefore, it’s still important to schedule a separate annual checkup for your child to monitor milestones and address other areas not covered in a sports physical.

If your child requires a sports physical, come to Heart and Hands Healthcare today! Let us help you kick off the winning season.

Be sure to bring any paperwork or forms required for sports participation and activities: any eyeglasses or contacts your child may wear; and a list of any medications your child takes.

Your provider may:

Measure your height and weight

Measure your blood pressure and pulse

Test your vision

Check your heart, lungs, belly, ears, nose, and throat

Check your joints, strength, flexibility, and posture

Your diet

Your use of drugs, alcohol, and supplements

Your menstrual periods if you’re a girl or woman

If your provider notices something that requires a closer look during your examination, we will help you take the next steps. We may prescribe medication, order lab work, or referral to specialty physician.