We are a DOT collection site

What is a DOT physical?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires everyone who operates a vehicle in the course of their job to be certified as a commercial driver. To obtain your CDL, you need to undergo a medical assessment that confirms there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be driving.

The exam covers an extensive range of health checks, and only licensed examiners who are on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry can conduct DOT physicals.

What does a DOT physical cover?

The DOT physical exam covers every aspect of your physical health that could affect your ability to drive safely. Standards required to pass the DOT physical include having minimum 20/40 and 70 peripheral vision in the horizontal, either with or without corrective lenses; ability to hear a “forced whisper” up to five feet away, with or without a hearing aid; and having blood pressure and pulse rate within healthy parameters.

During your physical exam, Dr. McFarland assesses multiple aspects of your health, looking for problems such as:

• Glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration
• Perforated eardrums or scarring
• Difficulty swallowing
• Heart murmurs or irregularities
• Breathing problems
• Enlarged liver
• Muscle wastage
• Hernias
• Varicose veins
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Neurological problems

Dr. McFarland also takes a urine sample to check for underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.

Do I need to bring anything with me to the DOT physical?

Before you visit the clinic, fill out your health history questionnaire and bring with you a full list of every medication you take, including the dosage, frequency, and who prescribed it.  

If you use glasses, contact lenses, or a hearing aid, you must bring those with you for the sight and hearing elements of the exam.

If you have diabetes, you need to bring your blood sugar log and the most recent test results showing Hemoglobin A1C (HgAIC) levels.

Anyone with a heart problem must produce a letter of confirmation from their cardiologist that details your condition and certifies that you’re safe to drive.

What happens after the DOT physical?

Dr. McFarland compares the evidence from your physical exam with the requirements of the FMCSA to decide whether or not you’re fit to qualify for a CDL. If she finds you reach the criteria laid down by the FMCSA, she issues a medical examiner’s certificate, which is valid for up to two years.

To arrange a DOT physical, contact MyNP Professionals today, or book an appointment online.