A career as a commercial driver in the U.S. doesn’t stop with your initial truck driver training. In order to keep your CDL and ensure you qualify to operate your rig, you have to regularly go through a number of steps to renew your license. One of those steps: the Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical Exam.

What Is the DOT Physical Exam?

Anyone deemed “safety-sensitive” by DOT – which means their job can impact public safety – is required to have a regular physical in order to stay compliant. This exam is valid for up to two years and must be performed by a licensed, verified medical examiner from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry. While most people see “medical examiner” and think of MDs, in truth, a number of other medical professionals can also perform the exam, including physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and chiropractors.

To become a part of the registry, they have to pass a certification test, do a refresher training every five years, and retake their certification test every 10 years. Who does and doesn’t require a DOT exam is up to the Department of Transportation, but on the whole, anyone who operates a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) across state lines will need one. Those who drive a CMV within state borders will depend on that state’s rules and regulations.

Why Is a DOT Physical Necessary?

Driving a commercial vehicle is a big responsibility – literally, these rigs can be giant. All that power, size, and speed on the road can cause major damage if the driver isn’t physically prepared to handle the demands that come from being on the road. Things like:

  • Staying alert
  • Solving problems on the fly
  • Managing an irregular sleep schedule
  • Maintaining rigs, trailers, and other mechanics
  • Navigating and route planning
  • Communicating clearly
  • Paying attention to details

What Are the Requirements for the DOT Exam?

So, what exactly are medical examiners looking for in a DOT physical exam, and what can you expect when you go in for one? You’re going to be evaluated for a wide range of health aspects – it’s a full workup. There are several medical forms you’ll need to submit, but we’ll cover those in the next section. For now, let’s just go over the process your medical examiner will go through:

Health History

You’ll detail most of this on a form, but your examiner might have questions or need more details about some of the information you provide.

Eyes and Vision

Being able to clearly see the road is an absolute necessity. Your medical examiner will check for issues like cataracts or macular degeneration and ensure that you meet the baseline requirement of 20/40 vision in each eye, either with or without corrective lenses.

Ears and Hearing

Good hearing is vital, and commercial drivers are required to be able to hear a so-called “forced whisper” at a distance of around five feet. This can be either with or without a hearing aid. You’ll also be checked for perforated ear drums, damage to the tympanic membrane, and other issues.

Urinalysis

Yup. You will have to leave a urine sample. This will let them screen for underlying medical conditions and check for any drugs or restricted substances.

Heart and Lungs

This means checking your pulse, your blood pressure, and your breathing to assess for problems like heart murmurs, respiratory impairments, pulse abnormalities, varicose veins, and more.

Other Physical Assessments

Your height and weight, your reflexes, your spine and motion, your neurological functions – all of these can potentially affect you as a driver and need to be looked at by your medical examiner.

Once the exam is complete, you can come away with a few different results. Passing all the exam standards qualifies you for a medical certificate good for two years. If you pass but have a condition that requires close monitoring, you may be given a medical certificate that’s good for three months, six months, or a year, at which point you’ll need to have another physical. If your examiner feels they need more information, you may be required to get further testing before you can get your medical certificate.

What Do You Need for the DOT Physical for CDL, and How Can You Prepare?

For starters, you need to find a qualified medical examiner to perform your DOT physical, which you can do by checking the FMCSA National Registry. Once you have an appointment on the books, there are a few things you can do to get ready. First, get your medical history together. You’ll need a comprehensive record to fill out one of the forms, so make sure to categorize everything. Past surgeries and procedures, past and present medications, diagnoses, symptoms, family background – all of it.

Once you have that, you can start working on the required forms. The DOT physical for CDL requires a few:

  1. Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875: While a lot of this will be filled out by your medical examiner, you will need to fill in your information and health history.
  2. Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA–5871: You’ll need an annual eye exam and to have this form filled out by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
  3. Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form, MCSA-5870 or Non-Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form, MCSA-5872 (optional): For drivers with diabetes mellitus, depending on whether or not you receive insulin treatments, you’ll need to provide your examiner with one of these forms.
  4. 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form, MCSA-5895 (optional): This one is not required of all drivers, but you may have to fill it out regarding any prescribed medications you take.

On the day of the appointment, make sure you have already submitted or are bringing along all the necessary forms. If you have questions about which ones you need or any additional information depending on a medical condition, the best advice is to call your medical examiner’s office and ask ahead of time.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

The DOT website has an extensive list of frequently asked questions you can consult, but here are a few important ones you may have.

  1. Is it possible to get a medical exemption for certain conditions?
    At this time, the Exemptions page on the FMCSA website mentions that drivers can potentially apply for hearing and/or seizure exemptions. You’ll be required to provide specific information about your physical, your medical records, your driving and employment records, and more.
  2. Will I need to have a copy of my medical certificate for my employer?
    Yes, if you drive for a company or other trucking employer, they’ll need to have your medical certificate on file. It’s best to also keep your medical certificate and any other supporting documentation with you when you’re on the road.
  3. What happens if I don’t pass the DOT physical?
    Whether or not you meet the standards to operate a commercial vehicle is at the sole discretion of the medical examiner. If you have an issue with their results, your best recourse is to take it up with them directly, identify why you didn’t qualify, and talk about ways you could maybe try again.

Get CDL Training and Get on the Road at ASCTI

Earning your CDL and beginning your trucking career can open up a lot of possibilities, and ASC Technical Institute can help you get started. Our 8-week Truck Driving CDL program prioritizes time behind the wheel, getting the experience and knowledge you need. If you are interested in learning more, ASC Technical Institute is here to help. Learn more about our Truck Driving CDL Program today to get started.

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