The DOT physical and medical card
Before you drive a commercial vehicle you need a medical examiner's certificate, usually called a med card. The exam must be done by an examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. A regular family doctor does not count unless they are on that registry.
What the exam covers
- Vision: at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without glasses or contacts.
- Hearing: a forced whisper at five feet, with or without a hearing aid.
- Blood pressure, pulse and a urine sample that screens for medical conditions.
- Your medical history and current medications.
Good to know
- A clean exam is good for up to 24 months. Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, get a shorter card.
- Bring your glasses, hearing aids, medication list and any records from specialists.
- Get the physical before you pay for school. If something needs treatment first, you want to know now.
- The DOT physical is not the drug test. Employers run a separate pre-employment drug test.