FMCSA DOT Physical Exam

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA DOT Physicals are used to make sure that commercial drivers are able to safely operate their vehicles without medical issues causing accidents, injuries and or death of the driver or others around them. 

Drivers are expected to be truthful on their medical form and any inconsistencies could result in loss of your Medical Certification. This exam will replace your current exam. If you do not meet the below qualifications or have a disqualifying medical condition you will no longer have an active medical certificate and will not be legal to use your CDL permit until you have rectified the condition. 

 Responsibilities, work schedules, physical and emotional demands, and lifestyles among commercial drivers vary by the type of driving that they do. Some of the main types of drivers include the following: turn around or short relay (drivers return to their home base each evening); long relay (drivers drive 9-11 hours and then have at least a 10-hour off-duty period), straight through haul (cross country drivers); and team drivers (drivers share the driving by alternating their 5-hour driving periods and 5-hour rest periods.) The following factors may be involved in a driver’s performance of duties: abrupt schedule changes and rotating work schedules, which may result in irregular sleep patterns and a driver beginning a trip in a fatigued condition; long hours; extended time away from family and friends, which may result in lack of social support; tight pickup and delivery schedules, with irregularity in work, rest, and eating patterns, adverse road, weather and traffic conditions, which may cause delays and lead to hurriedly loading or unloading cargo in order to compensate for the lost time; and environmental conditions such as excessive vibration, noise, and extremes in temperature. Transporting passengers or hazardous materials may add to the demands on the commercial driver. There may be duties in addition to the driving task for which a driver is responsible and needs to be fit. Some of these responsibilities are: coupling and uncoupling trailer(s) from the tractor, loading and unloading trailer(s) (sometimes a driver may lift a heavy load or unload as much as 50,000 lbs. of freight after sitting for a long period of time without any stretching period); inspecting the operating condition of tractor and/or trailer(s) before, during and after delivery of cargo; lifting, installing, and removing heavy tire chains; and, lifting heavy tarpaulins to cover open top trailers. The above tasks demand agility, the ability to bend and stoop, the ability to maintain a crouching position to inspect the underside of the vehicle, frequent entering and exiting of the cab, and the ability to climb ladders on the tractor and/or trailer(s). In addition, a driver must have the perceptual skills to monitor a sometimes complex driving situation, the judgment skills to make quick decisions, when necessary, and the manipulative skills to control an oversize steering wheel, shift gears using a manual transmission, and maneuver a vehicle in crowded areas.  

Since the job is so physical and requires the driver to be alert and have good reflexes. Drivers are evaluated for the medications they take, medical diagnoses that could put the driver at risk of a sudden change in condition such as a heart attack, a seizure or a medication interaction there are many guidelines to determine a driver gets medical clearance. 

At McGinnis MICA Medical we understand that driving is most likely how you pay your bills, but we are not seeing you as a provider during the Medical Exam, we are working as a representative of the FMCSA. 

To ensure we are giving you the best possible evaluation, we ask that you bring the following items to your exam: 

• Current drivers license with photo and your date of birth
• Any Past Medical Records
• Your personal copies of your Past CDL medical examinations ( old and current)
• The prescription bottles of any medication your are taking

1. Prescription
2. Over the counter

• Eyeglasses if you wear them. Or if you use contact lenses a fresh pair for after the exam ( I need to test your corected and uncorrected vision.)
• If you wear hearing aids you must have them for the exam
• a bottle of water... urine test done during visit
• $100 cash to pay upfront for the visit. There is no refund if you have a disqualifying condition. 

Depending on your medical status you may not qualify for a certificate without documentation from your Primary Care or Specialist Provider.