DOT Physical Exam

What is a DOT Exam?

Do you get paid to operate a motor vehicle? If so, there is a good chance you are required to periodically receive a DOT physical or DOT exam. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires these exams in order for professionals (particularly truck and bus drivers) to obtain or maintain a commercial driving license and make sure that nothing will negatively impact their driving performance.

A typical physical begins by reviewing your medical history and asking you to list the medications you take on a regular basis. During your material, your examiner will also:

• Check your blood pressure, as well as your pulse
• Perform a vision test, since drivers are required to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye
• Examine your ears and, in particular, your ability to perceive a “forced whisper” from at least 5 feet away
• Check for spine deformities
• Look at your mouth and throat for problems breathing or swallowing
• Perform a neurological exam to make sure your coordination and reflexes are not impaired
• Listen to your heart and lungs for murmurs and impaired respiratory functions
• Press on your abdomen to check for abnormalities
• Perform a hernia check
• Conduct urinalysis for indications of underlying medical conditions

Suppose you’ve been given the green light during your medical exam. In that case, your examiner will then issue you a medical certificate, which, if you do not require periodic medical monitoring, will be valid for two years. In some cases, the examiner may issue a certificate that lasts for only three months, six months, or a year. If you do not pass the exam, your examiner will not be able to issue you a certificate.

5 Reasons You Would Need a DOT Physical

1. Vision Testing

Under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation, good vision is required to drive and operate a commercial vehicle. The DOT physical requires drivers to have 20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses. This means you must be able to see at least 20/40 with both eyes, or at least 20/40 with either the right eye or left eye. Those with monovision may be disqualified from getting a DOT medical card.

2. Drug Testing

Drug testing may be performed to ensure drivers do not use habit-forming substances that compromise the safety of themselves and others while operating commercial vehicles. Drug testing may be required for those who work for certain DOT departments with safety-sensitive positions, including the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and Federal Railroad Administration. DOT-regulated drug tests are required to use urine samples only.

DOT drug tests screen for cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, THC, marijuana, and PCP. Those who test positive for these drugs may be interviewed to determine whether an alternative medical explanation can be provided for substances found in the urinalysis.

3. Hearing Testing

Good hearing is required to drive and operate a commercial vehicle under the DOT. The DOT physical requires you to be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear within a distance of five feet without the use of a hearing aid. However, you can still pass the DOT physical if you use a hearing aid in the other ear.

4. Brain and Neurological Screening

A DOT physical includes the brain and neurological screening to identify brain injuries and neurological disorders that cause epilepsy or seizures. People diagnosed with epilepsy or who have a history of seizures will be disqualified from receiving a DOT medical card, even if seizures can be controlled. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, and others should a driver experience a seizure while operating a vehicle.

5. Cardiovascular Screening

Good heart health is required to pass the DOT physical exam. Evidence suggests that drivers of commercial vehicles are more likely to suffer cardiovascular disease and events that put themselves and others at risk for injury and death.^[5] Blood pressure readings may be taken to assess the risk of heart attack or heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of medical illness and sudden death in drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles.

Drivers with heart-related issues are required to bring a letter from their cardiologist to the DOT physical that outlines their medical history and a list of heart medications. Those who have a history of serious heart problems or who use medical devices like defibrillators and pacemakers may be disqualified from receiving a DOT medical card.