DOT (Department of Transportation) Physicals - $150
Now available at select Cottage Urgent Care locations near you
To legally operate a commercial motor vehicle (Class A, B or C), new applicants or applicant renewals of interstate commercial truck and bus drivers are required to pass a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical examination at a minimum of every two years to obtain a valid medical certificate and maintain their Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
What to Expect During Your Exam
A USDOT medical exam looks at a range of conditions to determine a driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
During a DOT physical, the following health systems will be reviewed to certify your physical readiness to operate a commercial vehicle. The medical examiner will evaluate for:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Respiratory Function and Sleep Apnea
- Muscular Function
- Vision
- Hearing
Sleep Apnea and DOT Requirements
During your DOT physical a medical provider may suspect that you have several risk factors for sleep apnea given your health history and physical exam. If that is the case, do not be alarmed.
Follow the link to learn more about sleep apnea and its risk factors.
Step 1: Complete the Medical Examination Report Form
It is the responsibility of the driver to provide reasonable and accurate information about your health history. We highly encourage you to complete the required Medical Examination Report Form-prior to arriving for your DOT physical appointment.
Click this button to download and complete the Medical Examination Report Form (MCSA-5875 - Blue sections only)
Download Form
Step 2: Make An Appointment
To make a Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical appointment click the button below.
Make an Appointment
Step 3: What to Bring to Your Appointment
A comprehensive checklist of what to bring to your appointment:
- A government issued photo ID: driver’s license, passport, or state issued ID
- A list of all your doctors and their practice location
- A list of your prescription medications; brand name and dosage
- If you are taking any controlled substances, the following form must be completed by your prescribing physician – click here: Medical Examination Report Form - MCSA-5895.pdf
- If you wear prescriptive lenses (glasses or contacts) or hearing aids, please bring them to your appointment.
- A competed Medical Examination Report Form - (Blue sections only) - click here: Medical Examination Report Form - MCSA-5875.pdf
Medical Clearance Letters and Medical Records
Please provide medical clearance letters and/or medical records from your Primary Care Physician or Specialist if any of the following apply to you:
- Heart condition - provide a letter from your cardiologist that you are safe to drive and copies of any recent heart test results.
- Take the blood thinner (coumadin) - provide a letter and clearance test from your doctor.
- Diabetes - please bring your most recent Hgb A1C and record of your blood sugar readings.
- Neurology - a letter from your neurologist if you have a history of: stroke, seizure disorder, brain tumor or bleeding in the brain.
- Take medication that can cause drowsiness or any controlled substance.
- A work restriction letter from your doctor if you have permanent functional loss to an arm or leg.
- Sleep Apnea - provide CPAP documentation log of proper use from the last 90 days.
Disqualifications
Disqualifications to getting a DOT certification card:
Certain conditions may inhibit your ability to drive and pass a DOT physical. Conditions that interfere with your vision or hearing or cause you to lose consciousness or become dizzy are grounds for being disqualified.
- Uncontrolled or unstable heart conditions, or high blood pressure
- Seizure disorders
- Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that causes dizziness
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Vision or hearing loss that can't be corrected
- Use of marijuana, even if prescribed
- Use of illegal substances
- Use of oxygen therapy
- Certain respiratory conditions
- Protein in the urine, which may indicate kidney disease