What is a DOT physical? 

What will make you fail a DOT physical? 

Get the answers to these and other popular DOT physical questions so you can prepare for yours.


If you want to drive large commercial vehicles for a living you’ll need a CDL (commercial driver’s license) and a valid DOT medical card. This card can only be obtained once you have successfully passed a DOT physical, which you’ll need to have again every 1-2 years for the duration of your career.

Finally, A Better Way to Manage DOT Physicals 
While the process of getting your DOT physical and medical card is straightforward, many people feel confused about the requirements they have to meet to pass. Below, we’ll talk you through each aspect of the physical, what standard you need to meet to pass, and links to further resources where you can find out more about the requirements for each element of the DOT medical exam.


What is a DOT physical?
The DOT (Department of Transportation) physical is a medical examination you must undergo before being permitted to drive commercial vehicles for a living. This physical ensures you are fit enough to meet the demands of your job and can operate large vehicles or vehicles with passengers without putting yourself or anyone else at risk.


Do I need a DOT physical?
You are required to have a DOT physical exam if:

You transport hazardous materials You operate a vehicle that carries more than 15 people You are paid to operate a vehicle that carries more than 8 people You operate a vehicle with a gross combined weight of more than 10,000lbs


What does the physical exam consist of?


The DOT exam will include the following:

Physical examination - The doctor will check your eyes, ears, mouth, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, extremities, and neurological system for signs of any potential problems, impairments, or injuries. Vision test - While you don't need perfect 20/20 vision to pass a DOT physical, you will need to have a minimum 20/40 visual acuity in both of your eyes, even with contact lenses or glasses. You will also need a minimum peripheral vision of 70" in both of your eyes. Hearing test - You must be able to hear a "forced whisper" from five feet away, with or without hearing aids. Blood pressure check - Many people wonder, "Can you pass a DOT physical with high blood pressure?" The answer is yes, but only if it is below a certain limit. You can find out the current limitations in this Foley blog article. Urine test - While many assume the urine test in a DOT physical is a drug test, it doesn't check for drug use. The DOT physical urine test is simply to look for underlying conditions, such as diabetes. Sleep apnea test - If you report having symptoms such as drowsiness during the day, headaches in the morning, gasping while sleeping, or heavy snoring, you may need to undergo a sleep apnea test.
As well as a range of other health indicators that can indicate that there is a problem that may put you at risk while operating a commercial vehicle.

How do I prepare for a DOT physical?
If you’re fit and in good health, there’s very little you need to do to prepare. The DOT exam is simply a check-up by a doctor to ensure you are fit enough to operate such a large vehicle.

If you’re overweight, are recovering from a bigger health issue, or are having a serious health issue managed by a doctor, you may want to make additional preparations. Whether or not you need to make any changes before your CDL DOT physical or bring anything with you will depend on your circumstances and current level of health.

If you are currently managing any health issues, make sure your prescriptions and medications are up to date, you’ve recently had a vision test and have the right corrective eyewear, and the same for your hearing if you suffer from hearing loss.

It’s good practice for anyone getting ready for their DOT physical to cut back on processed foods, alcohol, and smoking to ensure they’re in good health at the time of their physical.NEW CSA Score Webinar - Reserve Your Spot Now!


What do I need to bring?
You need to bring:

Your medical records, if your exam is being carried out by a new doctor Medical records from any specialists you see, such as a sleep apnea specialist Your most recent laboratory reports if you have diabetes or a similar condition Your glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids if you require them to drive A list of any prescription medication you take, including what dose you take and when
You may also want to bring the DOT physical medical examination report form with you so you can fill it out ahead of time at home. You can find that form here and in the forms section at the end of this article.


What are the DOT physical requirements?
Vision Requirements
To pass the vision test, you need to have 20/40 vision in each eye either with or without glasses, a field of vision of 70 degrees or more in each eye, and be able to differentiate between red, green, and amber.

If you do not meet these standards but meet all other standards of the DOT Physical, you may be able to apply for an exemption.

To find out more about the DOT physical eye exam, see our guide here. 


Hearing Requirements
To pass your hearing test, you must be able to hear a harsh whisper in your best ear, at no less than 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid. If you fail this basic hearing test, you’ll be referred for an audiometry test which will further determine if you are safe to drive.

In most cases, you’ll be able to get a hearing correction device and then pass your DOT physical. If you need a hearing aid, you must wear it at all times while driving.

You’ll only fail the hearing test if you are completely deaf and cannot pass the whisper test even with hearing aids.


Blood Pressure Requirements
High blood pressure is an extremely common health problem, and the DOT medical exam uses it as a key health indicator.

If your blood pressure is 140/90 or below, you’ll pass the DOT physical blood pressure requirements with flying colors. Between 140/90 and 179/109, you may need to have a medical exam more frequently or be given a temporary medical card and be asked to reduce your blood pressure within a 3-month period.


What medical conditions can impact your ability to pass a DOT physical?
There are a handful of health issues that are DOT physical disqualifying conditions, meaning that if they are out of control or too severe for you to operate a large commercial vehicle safely, you will not be able to pass the DOT physical.

These conditions are:

Diabetes Hernias High BMI (Obesity) Sleep Apnea
Find out more about how to pass the DOT physical with a medical condition here, or click the links above to learn more about the individual conditions and their physical requirements.


What do they do in a DOT physical?
Your medical examiner will first talk through your medical history with you and any ongoing treatment you have. They’ll then take your height and weight, so they can calculate your BMI, and check your blood pressure, vision, and hearing.

They’ll do a general assessment of your physical health, look at your skin, check your reflexes, and examine you for hernias.

You’ll also submit a urine sample that will be analyzed to calculate your blood sugar levels and a few other health markers.

In most cases, the DOT exam will end there and you’ll get your medical certificate. However, if your medical examiner found something they believe warrants further testing, or if the requirements of the physical demand it, you may be referred on for another test before you can get your certificate.


How much does a DOT physical cost?
The DOT physical price varies depending on where you get it, and if you are fronting the cost, or if the company you work for will cover part or all of the cost. 

We value our hard working CDL drivers and have set our fee lower than our local competitors at $100


Do DOT physicals include a drug test?
The DOT physical does not specifically test for drugs. The urine sample you give as a part of your DOT physical checks your blood sugar levels. Some employers will require you to submit a urine sample for a DOT drug test, but the DOT physical itself will not look for legal or illegal substances.


What will make you fail a DOT physical?
If you have extremely high blood pressure, high blood sugar, an untreated hernia, or uncorrected vision or hearing, you may fail the DOT physical.

What happens if you fail the DOT physical?
Failing your medical exam is never good news, but it’s also rarely the end of your driving career. In most cases, failing your physical simply means you need to make some lifestyle changes and improve your health so you can safely get back on the open road.

Remember that the DOT physical isn’t trying to catch you out – it looks at your overall well-being and considers if you may have a major health episode in the near future that would jeopardize the safety of yourself and others. If you fail a DOT physical, work with your doctor to get your health back on track so you can get back on the road.


Where can I find the DOT physical forms?
You need to fill out a medical examination report before or when you start your physical.


Generally, the DOT physical is straightforward and nothing to worry about. The medical examiner merely needs to ensure you are fit and healthy enough to operate a large commercial vehicle. We have plenty of information for each medical condition and how they affect your ability to pass the DOT physical, so if you have any concerns, make sure you read those guides to put your mind at ease. 

  • Locally Grown, Organically Grown - You Are What You Eat

    There is much wisdom in the saying "you are what you eat", but food today is not the food of yesterday. We need to actually work at getting the amount of nutrients that's going to help keep us healthy and well. Our genetic heritage was not designed for an urban environment. Our digestive systems, for

    Read more
  • Root Vegetables

    In decades past, very few urban kids had ever even heard of a parsnip, a fennel bulb, or a bunch of kale. In those days, fruit and vegetable consumption typically consisted of apples, bananas, corn, potatoes, peas, and lettuce. Oranges were infrequent and grapefruit was a rarity. Today a veritable cornucopia

    Read more
  • Above-Down, Inside-Out

    "Above-down, inside-out" is a poetic coinage by Dr. B.J. Palmer, one of the founders of the field of chiropractic. "B.J.", as he has been affectionately known by chiropractors for almost 100 years, was describing the inner workings of the brain and spinal cord, the complex nerve system connected to all

    Read more
  • Are You Connected?

    Being connected is very important in our modern world. Could you imagine how you'd feel if you left your cell phone at home? For teenagers, a cell phone is much more than a tool. For teens, cell phones are status symbols, but they also represent a connection to the tribe, a connection to their human

    Read more
  • Ebb and Flow

    Ancient peoples closely observed and interacted with the rhythms of their immediate environment. The sun rose in the East and set in the West. Day followed night, and approximately 12 hours later night followed day. The seasons progressed through a more leisurely, although no less regular, rhythm. A

    Read more
  • Mind and Matter

    Scientists and philosophers have pursued the notion of mind for thousands of years. [Of course, being able to think about the mind's origins and place in the universe presumes having a mind, but that's a separate piece of this puzzle.] Regardless of mind's origin, we are well aware that the human mind

    Read more
  • Man and Machine

    Is a computer like a human brain or is a human brain like a computer? When machines allow us to extend our abilities, are we enhancing our humanness or becoming more machine-like? What are the meaningful distinctions between humans and machines and how do these impact our daily pursuits of health, well-being,

    Read more
  • A Day in the Life of a Working Mom

    Sandy Smith woke up to the annoying and familiar sound of the alarm clock. It was another day and the beginning of another hectic week. She rolled from her stomach onto her back and unburied herself from beneath the old, down-filled, pillows. Sandy reached over and pressed the snooze button in an attempt

    Read more
  • Secrets of Adding Exercise to Your Life

    Most of us are plenty tired of having experts tell us we should do more exercise. Our chiropractors tell us. Our family doctors tell us. Friends who just started taking their first yoga class and aren't really experts tell us. Celebrities tell us. Kid stars on Disney Channel tell us. Now even local television

    Read more
  • Can Work Be Relaxing?

    Not too many people would agree that "oh, yeah, my work is relaxing". For most of us, work involves plenty of stress. If we're in customer service, there's always a seemingly never-ending stream of customers with an abundance of problems that need to be handled yesterday. If we work in an office, office

    Read more
  • Heroes - Active Parents Raise Active Kids

    We are constantly searching the landscape for heroes. This is not to fill in a missing piece in ourselves, but rather represents an ongoing search for inspiration, stimulation, and motivation. Even those of us who are self-starters need coaches and mentors to cause us to reach ever-higher levels of achievement.

    Read more
  • Holiday Guide to Back Care

    Parties. Gift shopping. Family gatherings. Curling up to watch a favorite movie on the couch…. The holiday season is full of reasons for good cheer. And yet, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, it is also prime time for Americans to suffer from back and neck pain. For one thing,

    Read more
  • Improve Your Golf Game & Save Your Back

    Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque. Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout-and a recipe for potential

    Read more
  • Effectiveness & Popularity of Chiropractic Care

    A critical mass of recent surveys and studies document the fact that the public, and conventional health care providers and payers, have come to recognize that traditional medicine can't answer all of consumers' health care needs. In particular, more people are turning to chiropractic services. A

    Read more
  • The Mysteries of Injuries

    A person with an exercise- or sports-related injury has many questions: When can I start exercising? When can I get back to my sport? What can I do to prevent this from happening again? The answers to these questions are relatively straightforward. But for some, injuries continue to happen. Which leads

    Read more
  • Four Resolutions for a Healthier Back

    Eat more vegetables. Stress less. Take the kids out to the park more often. You may already have a long list of resolutions for the new year. This year, honor your spine, too. With the help of your doctor of chiropractic, these simple steps can promote a healthier back for the new year. Consider replacing

    Read more

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thursday

9:30 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday

By scheduled appointment Only

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday
9:30 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday
By scheduled appointment Only
Sunday
Closed