WHAT IS A DOT PHYSICAL, WHO NEEDS ONE AND WHY?

Before becoming a fully-licensed road warrior, every current and prospective commercial driver will need to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical administered by a Certified Medical Examiner according to guidelines established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The rules also apply to foreign drivers like Canadian and Mexican citizens who drive in the United States

The goal is to confirm that professional drivers can safely carry out their job duties with minimal risk of a known health problem causing a hazard.

Pre-Register online with a licensed medical examiner at AFC Urgent Care Cortez. DOT physicals are performed on a walk-in basis at AFC Urgent Care Cortez. An experienced provider—who is registered with and certified by the FMCSA - will determine whether you are physically and mentally capable of safely driving a truck, bus, limousine, taxi, or another type of commercial motor vehicle.

WHAT DOES A DOT PHYSICAL INVOLVE?

Unlike an annual physical, which is designed to provide a general “snapshot” of your overall health, a DOT physical focuses on identifying health-related issues that could interfere with your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

The requirements to get a DOT physical have changed and are now tougher:

• Many drivers who previously passed with no problems may now have difficulty passing a new physical exam.
• This is because the federal government has imposed new guidelines which medical examiners are required to follow.
• The DOT physical is not a replacement for the Routine yearly medical checkup everyone should get regularly.
• AFC will gladly perform your Routine medical checkups as well, but this is a separate visit from your DOT physical.

Things to bring to your DOT exam:

• Bring your current state Driver’s License
• Bring your glasses, contacts, or anything you Routinely use for vision.
• Bring a list of your Past Medical History.
• Bring a list of all doctors and specialists you see and a list of their addresses and phone numbers, in case we need to contact them for information.
• Bring all prescription bottles or a list of all current medications, and any over the counter medications that you take.

Prior to examination:

• Take all of your required medications as prescribed prior to your visit, including blood pressure medications.
• Drink plenty of water. You will need to provide a urine sample to screen for kidney problems.

Your examination, in addition to discussing your medical history and evaluating your balance and coordination, your examiner will:

• Check your pulse and blood pressure
• Review your medication use
• Test your hearing and vision
• Order a urinalysis and evaluate the results to screen for diabetes and certain drugs

Requirements for Most Common Medical Chronic Medical Conditions

Please bring all necessary information with you to avoid incurring additional fees associated with a disqualifying DOT Physical Exam.

• Diabetes: Bring all of your medications and the name of your prescribing doctor. Also, bring with you a copy of your blood sugar results over the last 3 months and a recent hemoglobin A1C.
• High blood pressure: Bring all your medications and the name of your prescribing doctor.
• Heart conditions:
  • If you have ever had a Heart Attack: You will need to bring your most recent Exercise Tolerance Test, performed 4-6 weeks after the initial heart attack then every 2 years.
  • If you have had Open Heart Surgery: You will need your most recent Echocardiogram result and Exercise Tolerance Test – must be within one year, then an Exercise Tolerance test in 5 years, then yearly thereafter.
  • If you have been diagnosed with Heart Failure: You will need to bring your current Echocardiogram result and Exercise Tolerance Test. These tests will need to be performed within the past year.
  • Post Coronary Intervention (most common: stents placed in heart): Exercise Tolerance Test in first 3-6 months after procedure, then every 2 years

**Any patient with cardiac problems should bring a letter from your cardiologist stating that your heart problems will not negatively affect your ability to safely drive a commercial motor vehicle.

• COPD: Most recent Spirometry test. Speak to a representative if you need to schedule this procedure prior to your DOT Physical.
• Obesity: If your BMI is greater than 30.0 the examiner might require a sleep apnea test prior to passing depending on clinical findings and examination.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Bring a copy of your latest sleep study results and a letter from your Pulmonologist stating that your Sleep Apnea is under good control and does not negatively affect your ability to safely drive a commercial motor vehicle.
• Other Chronic Medical Problems for which you see a Specialist: Bring all your medications and a letter from each Specialist stating that:
  
  “I treat Mr./Mrs. _______ for _______ and in my professional medical opinion, the patient is well controlled, and their diagnosis does not negatively affect their ability to safely drive a commercial motor vehicle."

Passing or Failing the DOT Exam:

• The most common reasons for being disqualified on a DOT physical are:
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Uncontrolled sugar in the urine
  • Use of prohibited medications

When you pass your DOT physical, you will receive a certificate of good health, which you must carry with you whenever you are operating a commercial motor vehicle. If you do not pass, you may not be barred from pursuing a career as a professional driver. Your examiner at AFC Urgent Care Cortez can explain your options. For example, if you were diagnosed with a disqualifying medical condition, you may be able to improve it with treatment, then repeat the DOT physical. When you pass your DOT physical, you will receive a certificate of good health, which you must carry with you whenever you are operating a commercial motor vehicle. If you do not pass, you may not be barred from pursuing a career as a professional driver. Your examiner at AFC Urgent Care Cortez can explain your options. For example, if you were diagnosed with a disqualifying medical condition, you may be able to improve it with treatment, then repeat the DOT physical. Additionally, the FMCSA has driver exemption programs for some individuals who have diabetes, impaired vision, or hearing loss.

If you need a DOT physical you can either walk in or Pre-Register online with a licensed medical examiner at AFC Urgent Care Cortez. Drug testing is not a typical part of the DOT exam but may be required by your employer. This service is available for an additional fee at AFC Urgent Care Cortez, please ask the receptionist for more assistance.