A DOT physical exam is a medical examination required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure that commercial motor vehicle drivers are physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. The exam is required to protect public safety on our roads by ensuring that commercial drivers do not have medical conditions that would interfere with their ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
Resource: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
You are required to take a DOT physical exam if you drive a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, transport hazardous materials requiring a placard, or drive a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver. This requirement is for interstate commercial drivers, but some states also require it for intrastate commercial drivers.
Resource: https://saferoadcompliance.com/blog/dot-physical-exam-guide/
A standard medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months for drivers with no restrictions. Certain health restrictions may require your CME (certified medical examiner) to issue a medical card for less than 24 months, such as three months, six months, or one year, in order to monitor the medical condition more frequently.
In order to pass the physical exam, you must have adequate hearing and vision, controlled blood pressure and blood sugar, and no underlying physical or mental condition that will interfere with your ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. The exam will assess your overall health to determine whether you can safely perform the physical and mental demands of commercial driving.
Yes, there are specific conditions that will disqualify a driver from obtaining a medical card, such as:
Many chronic medical conditions are not disqualifying if they are managed properly, remain stable, and meet the FMCSA guidelines.
You will need to bring:
You will also need to bring your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids, if applicable, as well as any clearance letters from specialists if you have had heart problems, sleep apnea, or neurologic disorders.
When you come in for your exam, our nurse practitioner will:
We will check your pulse and blood pressure, your vision and hearing, your overall health and physical condition, and make sure you have the strength and mobility required to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
The average DOT exam at TBH Medical takes 30-45 minutes. We respect your time and schedule our appointments to ensure we stay on schedule and you can get back to work as quickly as possible.
The DOT exam includes a vision test, hearing test, blood pressure check, pulse check, and a standard physical exam that includes the following:
This exam is designed to help identify any health risks.
Yes, a urinalysis is a required part of the DOT physical exam. This will check your urine for sugar, protein, or blood. (This is not a drug test; we can do a drug test if your employer requires it.)
At TBH Medical, we offer DOT physicals for a flat fee. Sometimes this fee changes, so it is best to call our office or check our website to confirm the price.
Generally, no. A DOT physical is considered an occupational exam and is not typically covered by your health insurance plan. You will usually need to pay for the exam at the time of service. Sometimes, your employer will reimburse you for the cost of your DOT exam.
Yes, we can provide special pricing for local trucking companies or employers that have a need to send several drivers to our office for exams. If you manage a fleet in the Colorado Springs area, please contact us to talk about a corporate partnership and group rate.
By coming to a direct primary care provider such as TBH Medical for your DOT exam, you will get a truly personalized, unhurried experience with a provider who cares about you and your long-term health. Because our practice model is different, we do not have to wait for authorization or deal with the red tape of traditional insurance-based clinics. We can schedule you quickly and communicate with you directly. We can also offer transparent pricing and a straightforward approach to your care.
At TBH Medical, we understand that your time is valuable. Unlike other urgent care facilities that may leave you waiting for hours, only to be seen by a physician you've never met before, we offer prompt appointments with no wait time in a comfortable, stress-free environment. Our nurse practitioner will give you the attention you need for a complete physical and to address any concerns you may have.
You don't have to be a member of TBH Medical's direct primary care practice to have a DOT exam. We provide this particular service to anyone in the Colorado Springs area who needs it on an as-needed basis.
You can still receive a DOT medical certificate even if you have a chronic medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. To be eligible for a certificate, your condition must be under control, you must meet the required health standards on the day of your exam, and you must be following your treatment regimen. You may be required to maintain your certification for a shorter period, but you can still receive a medical certificate.
Yes, you can take prescription medications and still pass your DOT physical. However, you need to make sure that the medications you are taking won't impair your ability to drive. For example, if you take medications that make you extremely drowsy, you may not meet the requirements to pass your exam. You will be required to list all of your medications during your exam. If you are taking any controlled substances, you may need to provide a letter from the physician prescribing your medication.
If you don't meet the FMCSA health standards required to pass your DOT exam, our nurse practitioner will let you know which requirements you didn't meet. You will also discuss what is needed to do to meet those requirements. In some cases, you may be able to receive treatment for a condition, change your medications, and then return for another evaluation. Once your condition is under control, you can obtain your medical certificate.
Scheduling a DOT physical at TBH Medical is easy by simply calling our office. We offer a variety of appointment times to fit your needs. Commercial drivers often have unpredictable schedules, and we will do our best to accommodate yours.
While we schedule appointments to ensure that you don't have to wait to see our nurse practitioner, we will try to accommodate same-day appointments when possible. If you need a same-day appointment, we recommend calling our office before coming in to make sure that we can fit you in.
Our office hours at TBH Medical are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Mountain time. We are closed for most major holidays. To confirm our business hours and holiday schedule, you can check our website or call our office.
Once you pass your physical, you will be given your medical certificate the same day.
After you pass your DOT physical, you will be given your medical certificate before you leave the office. We will also enter your exam results into the FMCSA national registry on the same day.
If you lose your medical certificate before the expiration date, please call TBH Medical. We maintain copies of all exams performed in our office, and we can print you another copy of your valid medical certificate.
Yes. Our nurse practitioner is a direct primary care provider and can help with follow-up care, medication management, or additional testing if needed.
The FMCSA guidelines are a list of physical, mental, and medical standards that commercial drivers must meet to operate their vehicles safely. From blood pressure requirements and vision requirements to regulations regarding sleep apnea, diabetes, heart health, and more, there are very specific requirements.
Our nurse practitioner is certified to perform DOT physicals and follows the FMCSA guidelines. We will also report your exam information to the national registry to ensure your certification is valid.
You are not allowed to drive a commercial vehicle until you have completed another physical and been issued a new medical certificate. Driving with an expired medical certificate can cause you to be fined, penalized, and even cause you to lose your CDL.
Yes, we have free parking in front of our office and have ample space for most personal vehicles. If you are driving a commercial vehicle and have questions about where to park, please let us know, and we can help direct you to a safe parking place.
Yes, TBH Medical offers direct primary care services, including wellness exams, disease management, urgent care visits for acute issues, and discounted lab testing. By becoming a member of TBH Medical, you have unlimited access to a healthcare provider year-round.