If you’re seeking a career in commercial driving or need to renew your commercial license, a DOT Physical is required. At Lincoln Urgent Care clinics, our certified medical examiners perform DOT Physicals efficiently, helping you take the next step in your career. 

What is a DOT Medical Exam?

A Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical is a medical exam that confirms you are capable of driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). These may include buses, semi-trucks, and vehicles that carry hazardous material. 

Why Do I Need a DOT Physical?

Commercial driving carries added responsibility, and employers must ensure drivers can operate safely. You must be able to hear sounds around you, stay awake and alert, and see and understand road signs. Various medical conditions can affect your ability to be a safe driver, and a DOT Physical helps to determine whether your health may be a risk factor when driving a commercial vehicle.

Who Should Get a DOT Exam?

The Department of Transportation requires anyone who drives a commercial vehicle across state lines to receive a DOT Physical. However, various states also have additional rules about who needs to get a DOT Physical, so research your local regulations. In California, for example, all commercial drivers, firefighters, and Class A and B drivers require a DOT Physical to obtain a license.

Who Performs DOT Physicals?

Only certified medical examiners may perform DOT Physicals. Examiners are physicians who have undergone additional training to determine your eligibility for commercial driving. Examiners pass a certification test and are required to renew their training every five years and pass a new certification test every 10 years. 

Our physicians are certified medical examiners who are highly qualified to evaluate your health and determine your suitability for commercial driving, allowing you to feel confident in our assessment and recommendations.

 

How Should I Prepare for a DOT Exam?

Prepare for your DOT exam by filling out required forms beforehand. Download the medical examination report form from the Department of Transportation website and read it carefully. Some sections must be completed by you, the applicant, including a checklist of various medical conditions you may have, along with any additional information that may be important to understanding your condition.

Having a medical condition will not necessarily disqualify you from obtaining a commercial driver’s license, and being honest about your condition will help us make recommendations that keep you and everyone on the road safer.

• Compile Your Medical History

Your examiner will begin by asking about your medical history, including past and present symptoms, diagnoses, surgeries, medications, and procedures. Your electronic health record may contain this information, or you may call your primary care physician to request it. You must fill out your medical history on the examination report form.

• CMV Driver Medication Form

List any medications you’re currently taking on this form. This helps us verify that your medication will not interfere with your ability to drive safely. You may also ask your primary care physician to complete this form.

• Verify Whether You Need Additional Information

Certain medical conditions require you to provide additional documentation. For example, if you have diabetes, you must provide your most recent A1C test results, and those with sleep apnea will need to provide a 3-month CPAP compliance report. By verifying ahead of time if you need additional documentation, you can save time and prevent processing delays for your license.

• Vision Evaluation

You must meet a certain vision standard to drive a CMV. If you don’t meet this standard (such as if you require glasses or contact lenses to see properly while driving), you must undergo an additional eye exam at least once a year, performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. 

 

What Should I Expect from a DOT Physical?

We perform a variety of basic medical assessments, such as:

• Checking your pulse and recording your heart rate.
• Taking your blood pressure.
• Measuring your height and weight.
• Evaluating your eyes and testing your vision.
• Examining your ears and testing your hearing.
• Using a stethoscope to listen and assess your heart, lungs, arteries, and belly.
• Checking your reflexes and evaluating your reaction time.
• Observing your gait (how you walk).
• Asking you for a urine sample so that we may perform urinalysis, allowing us to check for a wide variety of medical conditions.

We understand that many patients may feel anxious during our exam, and we encourage you to remain as calm as possible. Many medical conditions do not impact your driving ability, and other conditions may be successfully treated to allow you to drive safely. Our tests help ensure your safety and the security of those on the road with you.

 

After the Exam

After the exam, the examiner will inform you of your results and fill out the applicable form. If you meet the standards, you’ll receive a medical examiner’s certificate for your licensure, valid for two years. If you meet the standards but require periodic health monitoring, you’ll receive one that’s valid for a shorter period, at which time you’ll need to get another DOT Physical.

Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Our medical team would be happy to explain your results in more detail.

 

Trust Lincoln Urgent Care with Your DOT Physical

We understand that medical exams can be stressful, especially when they impact your career. You can trust our examiners’ expertise and skill in performing your physical and ensuring your safety on the road.

Walk into one of our clinics today in Lincoln, Granite Bay, or Roseville, California, or contact our friendly staff for assistance!

 

Lincoln Urgent Care (916) 258-2751

Granite Bay Urgent Care (916) 570-7265

Lincoln Urgent Care Roseville (916) 727-6846