DOT Physical

What is a DOT Physical?

A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is a physical exam that is required of people who drive commercial vehicles.  The point of the DOT physical is to make sure that people who driving commercial motor vehicles are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires them for the safety of the public.

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Who needs a DOT Physical ?

You will need a DOT physical if you :

• Drive a vehicle designed to carry more than 15 people.

• Are paid to drive a vehicle designed to carry more than 8 people.

• Carry hazardous material in your vehicle that requires your vehicle to have a placard.

• Drive a vehicle on the interstate with a gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight of over 10,000 pound

How long is a DOT Medical Card Good For?

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DOT Medical Card is valid for 24 months - so you can expect to have a DOT physicals at least every two years.  In some cases, if you have a medical condition that needs to be monitored, the medical examiner may issue a certificate for less than 24 months.

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If you have certain medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, you may need a DOT physical exam every year.  If you have a very serious medical condition that needs monitoring, such as very high blood pressure, you may need a physicals every three months.

What the DOT Physical Covers

1.  Vision

Drivers are required to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. They are also required to have at least 70” peripheral in the horizontal meridian, measured in each eye.

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2.  Hearing

Drivers must be able to perceive what is known as a “forced whisper” at a distance of 5ft or less, with or without a hearing aid. This standard equates to an average hearing loss in the better ear of less than 40 dB.

 

3. Blood pressure/pulse rate

The medical examiner will check the driver's blood pressure and pulse to look for high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats.

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4. Urinalysis

A urinalysis is required. The test looks for indications of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.

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5. Physical Examination

The physical exam will cover a dozen different categories:

• General appearance

• Eyes (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.)

• Ears (scarring of tympanic membrane, perforated ear drums, etc.)

• Mouth and throat (to look for problems breathing or swallowing)

• Heart (murmurs, extra sounds, pacemaker, etc.)

• Lungs and chest, not including breast examination (abnormal breathing, impaired respiratory functions, cyanosis, etc.)

• Abdomen and Viscera (enlarged liver, viscera, muscle weakness)

• Vascular (abnormal pulse, carotid, varicose veins)

• Genito-urinary (hernias)

• Extremities (limb impaired)

• Spine, other musculoskeletal (previous surgery, limitation of motion, tenderness, etc.)

• Neurological (impaired equilibrium, coordination or speech pattern, ataxia, asymmetric deep tendon reflexes)

 

A DOT physical can only be completed by a medical examiner certified by the FMCSA. It is up to the Medical Examiner to determine if a candidate meets all the requirements, and to mark the report to the best of their knowledge.

DOT Physical Forms

There are several forms associated with DOT physicals. These forms are available online, so that drivers and employers can review them before a visit. They include:

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Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875

The MER contains the driver’s information and health history, as well as the findings of the medical examiner during the DOT exam. 

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Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876

Certified drivers will receive this certificate after passing a DOT exam. 

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Insulin-treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment, MCSA-5870

Commercial drivers with insulin-treated diabetes must have this form completed by their treating clinicians no more than 45 days prior to examination by a certified medical examiner (CME). A Medical Examiner’s Certificate can’t be issued to the driver without this form.

For additional information, please visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

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As a leading medical provider within the DOT industry, Transcend Medical Group maintains a current, comprehensive knowledge of DOT regulations. We require all our physicians to be FMCSA-certified so our centers will always have someone to complete DOT physicals.