A DOT physical is a federally required medical examination that certifies you are physically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Pass it and you receive a medical examiner’s certificate. Without a valid one, you cannot legally drive a CMV.
Who needs one
Drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce generally need a current DOT medical certificate. That covers most CDL holders, and also some drivers of larger vehicles who do not hold a CDL. Intrastate rules vary by state.
The exam is not about whether you are a good driver. It checks whether a medical condition could cause you to lose control of a vehicle weighing many tons.
What the exam covers
A certified examiner works through a standard federal form. The main components:
- Medical history. You complete a health history covering conditions, surgeries, medications and substance use. Answer it honestly. Inconsistencies between your history and the examination are what cause problems.
- Vision. At least 20/40 in each eye and both together, with or without correction, at least 70 degrees of peripheral field in each eye, and the ability to distinguish red, amber and green.
- Hearing. You must perceive a forced whisper at five feet or more in at least one ear, or pass an audiometric test.
- Blood pressure and pulse. Your reading directly affects how long your certificate lasts.
- Urinalysis. A dipstick checking specific gravity, protein, blood and sugar. This screens for kidney problems and diabetes. It is not a drug test.
- Physical examination. Heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, neurological function, limbs and general appearance.
How long certification lasts
The maximum is 24 months. Examiners issue shorter certificates when a condition needs monitoring, commonly one year for elevated blood pressure, and shorter still for conditions requiring closer follow-up. A shorter certificate is not a failure. It means you are certified and being watched.
What it costs at Maxem Health
Maxem Health charges $100 for a DOT physical, published on the employer services page. DOT physicals and drug screens are excluded from the Maxem Health Discount Program, so the fee applies regardless of membership. Employment-related exams are also generally not an insurance or Medicaid benefit.
No appointment is needed. Maxem clinics are walk-in seven days a week, and you can save your spot online first.
How to prepare
- Bring your glasses or contacts, and hearing aids if you use them.
- Bring a complete medication list with dosages, and the prescribing doctor’s details.
- Bring supporting documentation for any managed condition: a recent A1C if you are diabetic, a sleep study and compliance data if you use CPAP, a cardiologist’s clearance after a cardiac event.
- Go easy on salt and caffeine beforehand, and get a normal night’s sleep. Blood pressure is the single most common reason a certificate gets shortened.
Maxem Health also provides DOT drug screens, substance abuse screening and MRO services, return-to-work examinations and pulmonary function testing for employers.
Frequently asked questions
What will fail you on a DOT physical?
Uncontrolled conditions are the usual cause: blood pressure well above the certification thresholds, vision or hearing below the standard, unmanaged diabetes, untreated sleep apnoea, or a condition likely to cause sudden incapacity. Many disqualifications are temporary and resolve once the condition is treated.
Do they check your private parts during a DOT physical?
A hernia check is part of the standard examination. It is brief and clinical. Genital and rectal examinations are not routine components.
How long does a DOT physical take?
Usually well under an hour when your paperwork and documentation are in order. Missing documentation for a managed condition is the most common cause of delay.
Who can perform a DOT physical?
Only an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. An exam by anyone else is not valid.
Walk in at a Maxem Health clinic
Maxem Health Urgent Care has 15 clinics across Mississippi, Louisiana and Oregon, open seven days a week including holidays. Most clinics run Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm, though hours vary by location. Walk in for a DOT physical seven days a week.
Save your spot at your nearest Maxem Health clinic, or find clinic addresses and hours.
Federal medical standards are set by the FMCSA. See the FMCSA medical regulations for the authoritative requirements.
This article is general health information, not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a licensed provider. If you are worried about your symptoms, get seen.