A DOT physical is a medical exam that is required of people who are obtaining their commercial driver’s license (CDL) or renewing their CDL. The purpose of a DOT medical exam is to make sure drivers who are operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires them for the safety of the public.

In North Carolina according to NCDOT.gov, to obtain or to avoid losing your commercial driver’s license, CMV drivers who operate in specific categories must get and maintain a “certified” medical status.

There are four commerce types, two of which require a certified medical status.

Before scheduling your DOT physical at Bethany Medical with one of our certified medical examiners, make sure to collect the following documents.

What documents are required?

• Proof of ID
• Eyeglasses or hearing aid (if applicable)
• List of medications
• Medical card (if applicable)
• Form of payment
• Current FMCSA Waiver or Exemption Certificate or Skills Performance Evaluation if applicable

*If you’ve had heart surgery or have diabetes, you will need to bring the corresponding test results (EKG and Stress Test results and HbA1C.)

How often do you need to renew your DOT physical?

The validity of your medical examiner’s certificate is limited to 24 months. A medical examiner’s card or certificate for less than 24 months may be issued by the provider to monitor a condition, such as high blood pressure.

Once renewed, you must then provide NCDMV with the new DOT medical examiner’s certificate.

What is included in your DOT exam?

1. Vision Test

Drivers must have acuity of at least 20/40 in both eyes, with or without correction. They must also have a peripheral vision of at least 70″ in the horizontal meridian in each eye.

2. Hearing Test

With or without a hearing aid, drivers must be able to detect a “forced whisper” at a distance of 5 feet or less. This level corresponds to a hearing loss of fewer than 40 decibels in the better ear.

3. Blood Pressure Test

The driver’s blood pressure and pulse will be checked for excessive blood pressure and irregular heartbeats by the medical examiner.

4. Urine Test

It is necessary to perform a urinalysis. The test searches for signs of diabetes or other underlying medical issues.

5. Physical Examination

The physical exam will cover a dozen different categories including eyes, ears, heart, lungs, spine, etc.

Only a medical examiner certified by the FMCSA can perform a DOT physical. The Medical Examiner is responsible for determining if a candidate fits all of the standards and marking the report to the best of their knowledge.

Call us today at 336.883.0029 to schedule your DOT exam at a location near you! View our certified DOT examiners below.