What Is A DOT Physical? Test Components & Preparation - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribeWhat Is a DOT Physical?

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Corey Whelan on April 29, 2020

Uses
Test components
Where to go
What to bring
Potential disqualifications
Preparation
Takeaway

If you’re a professional bus or truck driver, you know how rigorous the demands of your job can be. In order to ensure your and the public’s safety, you’ll most likely need to take a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical.

A DOT physical is a checkup that’s required for commercial vehicle drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

This exam makes sure you’re able to meet the physical requirements of your job. This includes being able to tolerate the health risks posed by sitting for long periods of time.

If you have been told that you need a DOT physical, here’s what you need to know.

What’s a DOT physical used for?

DOT physicals are required in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license.

They’re used to determine your overall physical health and ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. These determinations ensure that you’re medically qualified to handle the intense schedule, physical demands, and emotional stress of operating commercial vehicles, under all types of conditions.

DOT physicals are required for drivers who:

transport hazardous materials that require their vehicles to display a hazmat placard
are paid to operate motor vehicles that carry more than eight people
operate motor vehicles that carry more than 15 people
operate motor vehicles that have a gross combination weight rating of over 10,000 pounds

Once you pass a DOT physical, you’ll receive a medical certificate that allows you to drive a commercial vehicle for 2 years, provided you have no underlying physical or mental condition that requires testing more often.

Some medical conditions require that you have an annual DOT physical. These include:

diabetes mellitus
high blood pressure (hypertension)
heart disease

If you have a medical condition such as very high blood pressure, you may be required to have physicals every 3 months while you undergo medical treatment to correct or manage the issue.

What does a DOT physical consist of?

The medical examiner giving you a DOT physical will first have you fill out a medical health history form that asks questions about your health history.

Detailed health history form

You’ll be asked to provide detailed information about your health, including:

medications you take
surgeries you’ve had
alcohol, tobacco, and other substances
health symptoms or medical conditions you currently have

You also have the option of filling out this form ahead of time and bringing it with you.

Physical examination

At your DOT physical, you’ll be given a complete physical examination, which tests your:

hearing
vision
blood pressure
other health indicators.

Urinalysis and other testing

You’ll also have a urinalysis, which provides information about blood sugar level and other health indicators. The urinalysis is also used for drug testing purposes.

You may also have your blood drawn and undergo other in-office tests, such as an electrocardiogram.

Each test you take is done to determine if you’re healthy enough to drive a commercial vehicle safely.

Where do you go to get a DOT physical?

DOT physicals are performed by licensed medical examiners who are listed in the FMCSA National Registry. Medical examiners can be the following:

medical doctor (MD)
osteopathic doctor (DO)
chiropractor (DC)
physician assistant (PA)
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)

Not all licensed medical professionals are certified to give DOT exams. To find a licensed medical examiner, you can use this national registry search tool, provided by the FMCSA.

What do you need to bring to a DOT physical?

You are required to fill out a medical examination report form either during or before your physical. You can access the form here.

Filling out the form ahead of time may be less stressful than doing it at the exam. If you do it before your appointment, make sure to bring it with you.

Here’s a list of other health-related items you need to bring to a DOT physical:

medical records, if your regular doctor or specialist is not the one giving you the exam
medical records you have from any specialists you see, particularly if you’re being treated for a condition such as obstructive sleep apnea
most recent laboratory results report, if you have diabetes mellitus or another condition which requires blood draws
any auditory or visual aids (prescription glasses, hearing aids) you need while driving, so that you can use them during testing
a list of all the prescription medications you take, including dosage and timing, as well as medication names

How hard is it to pass a DOT physical?

DOT physicals are designed to determine if you’re healthy enough to drive a commercial vehicle. Many conditions that might disqualify you can be managed.

If you can show that your condition is manageable and that you’re under a medical professional’s close care, you’ll usually be able to obtain a certificate.

Certain medical conditions may, however, disqualify you. These include:

poor vision that is not correctable
deafness
narcolepsy
poorly managed diabetes mellitus
epilepsy
poorly managed heart or lung disease

How to prepare for a DOT physical

To prepare for the test — and improve your health:

Make sure your medications are up to date, and take them regularly as prescribed.
If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, have your eyes checked and your prescription updated.
Avoid heavy drinking.
Don’t misuse substances.
Avoid foods that adversely affect blood pressure, such as salty snacks.
Avoid foods that adversely affect blood glucose level, such as sugary sweets.
Consider smoking cessation, if you smoke cigarettes or vape
Manage your weight. Exercise more often than not, and follow a healthy diet.

Takeaway

If you are or wish to be a commercial vehicle driver, you’ll be required to have a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical.

This physical exam is done by a certified medical examiner.

It’s done to make sure you’re healthy enough to drive a commercial vehicle.

DOT physicals are required every 2 years for most drivers. If you have a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you may be required to have a DOT physical performed annually instead of every 2 years.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

DOT medical exam and commercial motor vehicle certification. (2019).https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/dot-medical-exam-and-commercial-motor-vehicle-certification
DOT physical requirements. (2020).https://www.concentra.com/patients/physicals/dot-physical-requirements/
May a driver who has non-insulin treated diabetes mellitus (treated with oral medication) be certified for 2 years? (2014).https://cms7.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/may-driver-who-has-non-insulin-treated-diabetes-mellitus-treated-oral-medication-be-certifi
National registry of certified medical examiners search. (n.d.).https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/national-registry-certified-medical-examiners-search
Part 391. (n.d.).https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/391.43
Why is the DOT physical examination important? (2014).https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/why-dot-physical-examination-important

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Corey Whelan on April 29, 2020

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media