Medical Services

Effective since May 21, 2014, all medical examiners performing DOT physicals must be trained and certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FCMSA).

The FCMSA recognizes that drivers often face long, hard hours, and they are concerned about the safety of drivers and others on the roadways. The updated DOT regulations require that all medical examiners be trained and certified in the new FCMSA standards and that all results are reported to the FCMSA.

Your DOT Exam Will Include the Following Components:

• Past or recent illnesses or injuries
• Review of current medications, including controlled substances
• Review of any medical conditions such as heart disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
• Physical exam
• Blood pressure & pulse
• Vision acuity test
• Hearing test
• Urine dip screen
• Kasper report and possibly a urine drug screen, if taking controlled substances
• If needed, other tests for cardiac or pulmonary & respiratory conditions

The Basic Requirements for Passing a DOT Physical Exam Under New Standards are:

• At least 20/40 correctable vision in each eye as well as both combined / Glasses or contacts are allowed.
• Needs to be able to distinguish colors found on traffic signals
• Forced whisper test to detect adequate hearing
• Controlled blood pressure under 140/90.  Prescription medication may be used to control blood pressure
• Cannot have diabetes that requires insulin injections
• Maximum blood sugar level allowed is 200
• No use of a schedule I drug (controlled substance), amphetamine, narcotic or habit-forming drug
• For any exemptions for vision, diabetes, etc., please bring the exemption to your physical exam

Before You Arrive at Our Office for Your DOT Exam, Please do the Following:

• Be sure that your DOT exam is scheduled with one of our providers who is a certified medical examiner.  Not all of our providers now perform these exams.  Due to the new regulations, the DOT exams have to be performed separately from a routine physical exam or routine office visit.  They cannot be done on the same day.
• Arrive about 20 minutes early to complete necessary paperwork
• Bring your completed DOT Form to your visit along with your driver’s license and pocket certificate.  You can download the form and complete your portion by clicking here.
• Bring your glasses, contacts or anything you routinely use for vision
• Bring all prescription medication bottles that you take including over the counter medications
• Bring a list of doctors that you see and their phone numbers
• Take any required medications prior to your visit, including blood pressure meds
• Drink plenty of water.  You’ll be required to give a urine sample to screen for kidney problems
• If you have any of the conditions below, bring the requested items
  • Diabetes –  Bring a list of medications and the name of your prescribing doctor.  Bring copies of your blood sugar results or hemoglobin A1C results from the past 3 months.
  • High blood pressure –  Bring a list of medications and the name of your prescribing doctor
  • Heart condition –  If you’ve had a heart attack or cardiovascular disease, bring a copy of your last stress test or release from your cardiologist.
  • Sleep apnea –  Bring a copy of your latest sleep study results if you have one.

Passing or Failing Your DOT Exam:

• The most common reasons for failing a DOT physical are high blood pressure and uncontrolled sugar in your urine.  Both conditions can commonly be controlled and managed.
• Another reason for failing a DOT exam would be having any condition that would cause a loss of the ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely, including the loss or impairment of limbs, poor vision, insulin-controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, mental disorders, or use of certain drugs.
• DOT medical cards are typically issued for 2 years.  However, your medical examiner may issue a card for one year, if you have a medical condition that requires monitoring, such as hypertension.
• If you fail your medical exam, your medical examiner may issue you a 3-month medical card and have you return for further follow-up, to be sure that your medical issue is now controlled.
• Drug testing is not a typical part of the DOT exam but may be required by your employer.

Charges for Your DOT Exam:

• Our office charges $125.00 for the DOT exam.  Payment is expected up front PRIOR to the exam, and insurance does not cover it.   If you schedule a DOT exam and fail to cancel your appointment within 24 hours, you will be charged the full amount.
• The $125 charge includes the physical exam and urine screen.  If your condition requires additional testing, such as an audiometry for hearing, pulmonary function test for asthma, or stress test for a heart condition, then there will be separate charges for those services.
• Follow up 3-month appointment to re-evaluate for certificate – $60.00.

FORMS:

DOT Exam Form

RESOURCES:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Driver Medical Exams:
https://cms.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty

Driver FAQs:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq

Regulations for DOTs:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations

FPA offers the Pfizer 12+ COVID-19 vaccine. Please call our office at 859-278-5007 or send us a secure web message from your FMH patient portal to schedule an appointment. If you have an upcoming appointment with your provider, please let them know of your interest to get scheduled. For more information about COVID-19, visit our COVID tab under patient resources.”