DOT Physical Requirements
What is a Dot Physical?
A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is a medical screening that commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are required to complete and pass to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), if you are a CMV driver, you must undergo a DOT physical conducted by a certified medical examiner and receive a medical examiner’s certificate (MEC) – also called a DOT health card. Without a valid DOT health card, you can lose your CDL. A certified medical examiner will issue you a DOT health card after you meet the DOT physical requirements.
DO I NEED A DOT PHYSICAL?
You are required to complete and pass a DOT physical if you:
- Operate a motor vehicle for interstate commerce with a gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight of over 10,000 pounds
- Operate a motor vehicle designed to carry more than 15 people
- Are paid to operate a motor vehicle designed to carry more than eight people
- Transport hazardous materials that required your vehicle to be placarded
Getting your DOT Physical Has Never Been Easier
You must pass all DOT physical requirements to be cleared for your DOT health card. Here’s how the process works:
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Step 1: schedule Exam
Contact your nearby Concentra to schedule your DOT physical. We also accept walk-ins. -
step 2: get your physical
The DOT examination will include a health history review, a thorough physical exam captured in an online version of the Medical Examination Report, and a urine test for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination. -
Step 3: Medical Exam Report
Upon exam completion, your results will be reported electronically to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). Certified drivers will receive a copy of the Medical Examiner's Certificate.
