A DOT physical follows strict guidelines mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure that commercial drivers and other employees with safety-sensitive positions are in good health.
A DOT physical can only be conducted by a medical examiner authorized by the FMCSA. All of our providers here at Mobile DOT Doc are FMCSA-certified and can be found on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website. Considering their credibility and expertise, the medical examiners determine if a candidate meets all the health requirements.
Drivers are required to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. They are also required to have at least 70° peripheral in the horizontal meridian measured in each eye.
Drivers should be able to perceive a “forced whisper” at a distance of 5 feet or less, with or without a hearing aid. This standard equates to an average hearing loss in the better ear of less than 40 dB.
The medical examiner will conduct a blood pressure test to see whether your blood pressure is too high or too low and check your pulse to measure your heart rate.
Drivers must take a urine test or urinalysis, which examines the concentration and content of urine. This test detects underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and liver problems, among others.
Physical examinations assess the overall state of your health. The medical examiner inspects specific areas of your body to help diagnose possible diseases and other medical conditions. Generally, it evaluates your:
· General appearance
· Eyes – for cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration
· Ears – for perforated eardrums or scarring of the tympanic membrane
· Mouth and throat – for problems concerning breathing or swallowing
· Heart – for murmurs, extra sounds, or pacemaker
· Lungs and chest (excluding the breasts) – for abnormal breathing, impaired respiratory functions, or cyanosis
· Abdomen and viscera – for enlarged liver or muscle weakness
· Extremities – for limb impairment
· Spine and other skeletal muscles – for previous surgeries, limitation of motion, or tenderness
· Vascular territories – for abnormal pulses, carotids, or varicose veins
· Genitourinary tract – for hernias
· Neurological condition – for asymmetric deep tendon reflexes, impaired equilibrium, or ataxia
Qualified drivers will receive a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876. This will be used as proof that you are deemed fit enough to drive a truck. You should always have this certificate when operating the vehicle, and you should give a copy to your employer.
In case you misplaced your Medical Examiner’s Certificate, you can always access it any time in your patient portal under the “Completed Forms” tab.
