DOT Physical Exam
At Atheda, we are authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide physical exams for drivers seeking commercial motor vehicle (CMV) licenses.
A DOT physical helps determine if a driver is physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to operate a commercial vehicle. Commercial drivers are safety-sensitive employees; they perform a job that can impact their own safety and the public’s safety. Employers of commercial drivers must comply with federal regulations for DOT physicals.
Certified medical examiners on-site
Department of Transportation Physical Exam
U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
A DOT (Department of Transportation) physical confirms whether you are healthy enough to perform the demanding profession of a CMV (commercial motor vehicle) driver. It helps to keep the nation’s roads safe and includes:
- Blood pressure and pulse rate: we will check your blood pressure and pulse to measure your systolic and diastolic pressure levels, as well as testing for irregular heart rate.
- Hearing: Drivers must be able to hear a ‘forced whisper’ at a maximum distance of 5 ft. with or without a hearing aid. The standard equates to a hearing loss of less than 40 dB in the better ear.
- Urinalysis: A urine test screens for underlying medical conditions such as diabetes
- Vision: Drivers must have a minimum acuity of 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. They must also have at least 70º of peripheral vision in each eye along the horizontal meridian.
Do I need a DOT Physical?
You are required to complete and pass a DOT physical if you:
- Operate a motor vehicle for interstate commerce with a gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight of over 10,000 pounds
- Operate a motor vehicle designed to carry more than 15 people
- Are paid to operate a motor vehicle designed to carry more than eight people
- Transport hazardous materials that required your vehicle to be placarded
What to expect during a DOT Physical?
During a DOT physical, a CME will check your vital signs, review your medical history, and perform a required hands-on physical examination that includes (but is not limited to):
- General appearance
- Eyes
- Ears
- Mouth and throat
- Heart
- Lungs and chest
- Extremities
- Nervous system
- Hernias
- Back and spine
Upon exam completion, the CME will report the results to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). Certified drivers will receive a copy of the medical examiner’s certificate (MEC), or DOT medical card.
What should employers know?
- Only a CME can administer a DOT physical.
- A DOT physical is required when a driver operates a CMV across state lines (i.e., interstate driving).
- Employers of intrastate drivers (i.e., drivers who stay within one state) are subject to the physical qualification regulations of that specific state.
Cost of exam
DOT Physicals at Altheda Medical Center costs $109.
Payment must be made in cash, debit or credit card only.
We do NOT accept insurances for this service.
