CDL/DOT Driver Physical Exams
Onsite-OccuHealth offers CDL/DOT Driver Physical Exams in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and our providers are on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Drivers that operate commercial motor vehicles, DOT drivers, may be issued a medical card for a maximum of 24 months. Some drivers will receive a medical card for less than 24 months if they have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
You are subject to FMCSA regulations and will require a DOT Exam if you operate any of the following types of vehicles:
A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight of 10,001 lbs. (4,537 kg) or more.
A vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation, whether direct or indirect.
A vehicle designed or used to transport 15 or more passengers including the driver and not used for compensation.
Any size vehicle used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 100-177).
If you wear glasses or hearing aids it is important that you bring them with you for your DOT Driver Physical Exam. If your drivers license states that you wear glasses or hearing aids you MUST have them at your DOT exam in order to pass.
During your DOT Physical Exam you will need to pass a visual acuity screen that includes reading a Snellen Chart at 20/40 in each eye as well as a peripheral eye exam and test for color blindness.
For patients obtaining a DOT Driver Exam or a T8 School Bus Driver Exam with a diagnosis of sleep apnea you MUST bring in a printout of your last 90 days of your CPAP machine use. We will not be able to perform your physical and pass the driver if we do not have a hard copy of the most recent 90 days of CPAP use.
If you have any prescriptions please bring them with you to your DOT Driver Physical Exam. If you are prescribed a controlled substance such as pain medication you MUST bring a clearance letter from your physician in order for us to complete your physical exam. Blank clearance letters can be found under the Forms section of our website.
If you have any medical conditions that you are worried may exclude you from driving a commercial vehicle you may want to bring a statement from your family doctor or specialist stating that they feel you are safe to drive a commercial vehicle. Blank clearance letters can be found under the Forms section on our website.
DOT drivers and T8 drivers with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus must bring a recent HbA1c that is dated sometime in the past 90 days to their physical. If the driver does not bring one our office can perform a HbA1c test for an additional $40. Patients MUST have a HbA1c showing that their diabetes is under control and that they are safe to drive.
At your DOT Drivers Examination your blood pressure will be tested. We strive to provide a calm environment and make your visit as stress-free as possible. It is important that in the days preceding your exam that you remember to take all your medications as prescribed, especially if you are on blood pressure medication. We also ask that you do not drink alcohol, eat fast food, or smoke cigarettes in the days preceding your exam as all these things will raise your blood pressure. Getting good sleep is important as well.
FMCSA and DOT guidelines recommend a patients blood pressure be below 140/90 during their DOT Driver Physical Exam.
At your DOT exam you will be asked to provide a urine specimen for protein, blood, and sugar.
If your urine specimen shows any sugar you will need to be screened further for diabetes as it is abnormal to have sugar in your urine.
