Bring a complete list of all of your medications, including doses and your doctors’ names and addresses.
Drivers who require eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids bring your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids. You will be required to pass a vision and hearing test. Vision test must have a minimum of 20/40 visual acuity in both eyes.
Drivers who are on blood pressure medication. Your blood pressure must be controlled on the day of your exam or you may not qualify for a DOT card.
You MUST bring a letter from your physician stating your blood pressure is under control and being well managed.
Drivers who have diabetes. Your blood sugar should be controlled-Bring the result of a Hemoglobin a1c and your blood sugar logs or other records related to you diabetes. Your hemoglobin a1c result must be in the last 4 months. If you are on insulin, you must have a Continuous Glucose Monitor and a complete MCSA-5870 form signed by your primary care physician.
Drivers who have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. Bring a reading from your machine documenting your proper use of the machine; a letter from your sleep specialist may also be required. Bring at least 90 days of data, but data from the past year is best.
Drivers who have heart related issues. At minimum bring a letter from your cardiologist that outlines your medical history and current medications and indicated you are safe to drive a DOT vehicle. You may also need to bring the results of any recent ECHO cardiogram, stress test or other testing completed within the past 1-2 years.
Drivers who have suffered a stroke, a brain tumor, seizure disorder, or bleeding of the brain. Bring a letter from your neurologist that outlines your medical history, current medications, and current neurologic and psychiatric state Drivers who are taking Coumadin (Warfarin).
Bring INR report that has been within the past 4 months and clearance letter from your doctor Drivers who are taking any medications that may cause sedation or sleepiness or controlled substances (Narcotics, ADHD medication, Anxiety medication). You will need a note and medical records from your treating physician regarding the safety of driving a DOT vehicle while using these medications.
Under FMCSA rules, drives will be disqualified if they use any Schedule 1 controlled substance. This includes marijuana even if the driver has a prescription for it. The FMCSA also states that a CDL driver who takes prescription medication without a valid prescription will be disqualified. Drivers can also be disqualified for taking any other scheduled drug, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and others that are habit-forming or narcotic.
Understanding DOT Physicals
A DOT physical is a health examination mandated by the FMSCA for commercial motor vehicle drivers. A DOT physical helps determine if a driver is physically, mentally and emotionally fit to operate a CMV.
If you are a commercial driver, you are a “safety sensitive” employee. For your safety and the publics safety, FMCSA requires you to pass a DOT physical to maintain a valid CDL.
Disqualifying Physical Conditions Under 49 CFR, part 391, the following physical conditions can disqualify drivers:
Loss of hand, foot, leg, or arm unless they have received a skill performance evaluation certificate. Hand of finger disorders that prevent grasping. Limb defects or impairments that prevent drives from safely operating a commercial vehicle. Diabetes mellitus, including insulin-controlled diabetes without an exemption. Cardiovascular disease or congestive heart failure. Respiratory disease that could result in loss of consciousness. High blood pressure that could interfere with the safe operation of a commercial vehicle. Musculoskeletal disorders that could interfere with the safe operation of a commercial vehicle. Epilepsy and other conditions that could result in a loss of consciousness. Visual acuity in either eye with or without correction of greater than 20/40. Peripheral vision of less than 70” in either eye. Red/Green color blindness. Hearing loss that can’t be corrected to less than 40 dB or less from 5 feet away. Disqualifying Mental Conditions that
drivers must also meet the DOT mental health requirements, including rules for taking certain prescription drugs such as antidepressants.
Major depressive disorders with a history of suicidal or homicidal ideations, psychosis or suicide attempts, Physcotic disorders, Antisocial personality disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorders, Bipolar disorders.
What does it mean if I was placed in “Determination Pending” status? “Determination pending” means the examiner needs more information to make a certification decision. You have up to 45 days to get the needed information back to the examiner. After 45 days, the exam is deemed “incomplete” and you must complete a new physical exam. If you have a current DOT medical card, that card is valid until a new certificate is issued or the card expires.
Our certified medical examiners take responsibility of certifying drivers seriously, and we understand that DOT physicals can be stressful. We are committed to maintaining the rights and safety of our staff and patients we serve. We follow a zero-tolerance policy against aggressive behavior, which includes but is not limited to verbal threats, physical assaults, or damage to property. Violators of our code of conduct will be asked to leave the facility and may be prohibited from returning in the future. In the case of aggressive behavior, we will notify your employer and the FMCSA Security officer providing your name, state, license number, date you were disqualified, and details regarding threatening statements or actions made.