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.
What do I need to bring to a DOT physical?
In addition to your valid driver’s license, you also need to bring:
- Your medical records from your family doctor.
- Medical records from any specialists you see.
- A complete list of all your prescription medicines.
- 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.
You’ll also need to complete the FMCSA medical examination report form before or after the exam. Consider printing and completing it before going to your exam.