Getting Ready for Your DOT Physicals

If you drive a commercial vehicle or plan to, a DOT physical is a must. This checkup is key to making sure you’re healthy enough to handle the stress and responsibility that comes with the job. Not only is your safety at stake, but so is everyone else’s

At DOC-AID Urgent Care, we perform DOT physical exams to help commercial drivers stay on the road and keep their careers moving forward. If you have a DOT physical coming up, here’s what you need to know.

What do I Need To Pass The DOT Physical?

To successfully pass the DOT physical exam, it’s helpful to know what the process entails:

1. Health History The exam begins with a comprehensive health history form that you’ll need to complete. This form will ask detailed questions about your past and current health conditions. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, the examiner will require additional information about your diagnosis, treatment, and your response to such treatments. They will also review your current or recent medications, discussing any potential side effects that could impact your ability to drive safely.

2. Vision Test For the vision portion of the exam, you must demonstrate:

• Must be able to see at least as well as 20/40 with or without glasses or contacts in both eyes.
• At least 70 degrees of horizontal peripheral vision to the left and right eye.
• The ability to accurately recognize and distinguish between different traffic signal colors.

3. Hearing Test The hearing test is designed to ensure you can adequately perceive sounds necessary for safe driving. You must either:

• Hear a subdued, whispered sound emanating from at least five feet away.
• Have no more than 40 decibels (dB) of average hearing loss in one ear across frequencies of 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz. Typically, this test is performed in one ear only.

4. Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate Test This is similar to routine checks performed during other medical visits. During the DOT physical, your blood pressure readings play a significant role in determining the duration of your medical certification. Elevated blood pressure could lead to a shorter, three-month medical certification, impacting your ability to drive a commercial vehicle.

5. Urinalysis Test The urinalysis conducted during the DOT physical doesn’t test for controlled substances. Instead, it checks for specific gravity, protein, blood, and glucose levels in your urine. This can help identify underlying health issues that might need further investigation.

6. Physical Exam . Detailed evaluation of the applicant’s physical healthThe examiner will evaluate your overall physical condition to ensure you’re capable of handling the demands of driving. This includes checking for signs of fatigue, sudden incapacitating symptoms, and ensuring that you possess the necessary strength, balance, flexibility, and range of motion. They will also assess your grip strength, as well as the reach and sensation in your hands and fingers, to ensure you can operate a vehicle safely.

DOT exams must be taken every 24 months. In the U.S., commercial drivers are required to provide DOT exam certification when applying for a new commercial license or renewing an existing one. This certification is also needed if you’re changing your license or requesting a duplicate.

What to bring to your DOT physical

To make your DOT physical go smoothly, it’s a good idea to prepare ahead of time. This includes getting ready for the hearing and vision screenings, physical evaluation, medical history review, and a check of your current medications. You should also be ready for urine screening and, if necessary, other lab tests related to your health history. 

Here’s what you’ll need to bring to your visit:

• A completed application form, available as a printable PDF
• A copy of your medical records if you’re not a patient here
• Medical records from any specialists you see
• The latest laboratory results if you have diabetes or another condition that requires regular blood tests
• Glasses, hearing aids, contacts, or any other aids you use for driving
• A complete list of your current prescription medications, including names, dosages, and schedules

To avoid last-minute stress, it’s helpful for commercial drivers to keep their medical records up-to-date and organized, so you’re always prepared for your DOT physical every one to two years.

Where to Find DOT Physical Forms

You can access free, print-friendly PDF forms for DOT physicals on the FMCSA.gov website. If you don’t have your own printer or computer, you may be able to use the resources at your workplace, local library, or another public facility that offers computer and printing services.

To streamline the process, fill out your portion of the application(s) before your appointment. If you have specific health conditions such as diabetes, seizures, hearing, or vision issues, you may need additional paperwork for medical exemptions.

Depending on your health situation, your primary care physician or specialist might need to complete parts of the forms to confirm that your condition is well-managed and does not pose a risk to your ability to drive a commercial vehicle safely.

Once your paperwork is in order and you pass the physical exam, your examiner will issue a certification (medical card) confirming that you are fit to drive.