We offer DOT Physical Exams to CDL license holders in Huntington Beach, CA and the surrounding areas. If you need to obtain or renew your DOT medical certificate, call our office today for an appointment.
Dr. Visichio is a Certified Medical Examiner with the FMCSA. National Registry #7380497767
What is a DOT Medical Exam?
The following is a summary of physical requirements for a DOT Physical Exam
Vision:
You must have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction (eyeglasses or contacts) and at least 70 degrees of peripheral vision on the horizontal meridian in each eye.
You must also be able to recognize and distinguish standard traffic signal colors: red, green, and amber.
Hearing:
You must perceive a forced whisper voice at 5 feet or more with or without hearing aid. Otherwise, you must undergo a formal hearing test with an audiometer and pass .
Blood Pressure:
Your blood pressure must be less than or equal to 140/90 to be qualified as a driver. If your blood pressure is more than 140/90 but less than 180/110, you may qualify for a shorter interval Medical Examination Certificate. This depends on several things, including if this is an initial or re-certification and also on the discretion of the medical examiner.
Medical Conditions That Can Disqualify a Driver
- History of epilepsy(seizure disorder).
- Diabetes requiring the use of insulin (unless you have an exemption issued by the Federal government).
- Failing to meet the minimum vision and hearing standards listed above.
- If you don’t meet the vision standards or you are using insulin for your diabetes, it is possible to apply for an exemption by going to the Federal Diabetes and Vision Exemption Program on the FMCSA website.
- The use of some medications:
- Methadone use automatically disqualifies you.
- Use of a narcotic, amphetamine, or other habit forming drug without a prescription from a treating physician automatically disqualifies you.
- Loss or impairment of an arm or limb that interferes with commercial driving or tasks related to driving, unless accompanied by a Skills Performance Certificate (SPE).
- A history of alcoholism disqualifies you.
and,
What Should I Bring With Me To The Exam?
You should bring the following:
- A list of medications if you are taking any as well as the name and phone number of the provider that last prescribed each
- If you are taking any blood thinners, you must bring a recent PT/INR result as well as a letter from your attending physician describing your medical history and stating that you are safe to drive a DOT registered vehicle
- If you have had a heart attack, had a stent or valve replacement, then you will need to bring a letter from your heart specialist describing your medical history and stating that you are safe to drive a DOT registered vehicle
- If you wear eye glasses or hearing aid, you must bring them with you to the exam
- If you have suffered from a stroke, brain tumors or cerebral bleeding, you will need to bring a letter from the specialists that treated the condition describing your history and clearing you to drive a DOT registered vehicle.
- If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea you must bring a letter from your sleep specialists or whomever rendered the diagnosis or a reading from your CPAP machine demonstrating proper use - at least 4 hours/night, 70% of the total shifts.
- If you have diabetes, you may need to bring the results of a recent blood test called a hemoglobin A1C to demonstrate compliance with management requirements for that condition