How to Prepare for Your DOT Physical

If you’re a commercial driver, your Department of Transportation (DOT) physical isn’t just another medical exam; it’s your ticket to staying on the road. Whether it’s your first DOT exam or your renewal, knowing what to expect and how to prepare can ease nerves and help you pass without any delays.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our health care specialists provide DOT physicals to help you meet requirements for fitness on the road. Here, we offer some tips on how to best prepare for your exam.

About the DOT physical

The DOT physical is a health exam for folks who drive vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This includes drivers of vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds, carry 16 or more passengers, or transport hazardous material. 

The purpose of the DOT physical is to make sure you can safely drive your vehicle — it aims to keep the public safe. The physical is good for up to two years, and you must renew as directed by the licensed medical examiner, which can be every 24 months or sooner. 

How to prepare for your DOT physical

When you schedule your exam, we provide a list of items we need you to bring to the appointment. This includes:

• Current driver’s license or passport
• Prescription eyewear or hearing aids
• List of medications you’re taking
• Documentation from your employer
• Completed medical forms from your primary care provider

If you have diabetes, we also request a copy of your most recent A1C test. We may also ask for a letter from your medical specialist outlining the status of your health.

Having these items ready to go can prevent delays in completing your DOT physical exam and the required forms. 

What to expect during the exam

The DOT physical is a lot like your annual physical exam. We review your medical history and check your vital signs, vision, and hearing. We then perform a physical exam, listening to your heart and lungs, checking reflexes, and evaluating your gait (how you walk). 

Your exam may also include a urinalysis to screen for health issues like diabetes and kidney disease.  

We use the information gathered to complete the DOT medical form and determine your status:

• Meets standards
• Meets standards but requires more frequent monitoring
• Does not meet standards
• Determination pending
• Exam incomplete

If you meet the standard requirements, we issue your medical certificate and further instructions as needed. If you don’t meet standards or your determination is pending, we provide an explanation and what steps you need to take next. 

Tips for a positive experience 

It’s normal to feel nervous about your DOT physical. For a positive experience, double check to make sure you have all the requested documentation, get a good night’s rest, and avoid too much caffeine before the exam.

Are you in need of a DOT physical? You need a licensed medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry. 

Our team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland can perform the exam and complete the official paperwork you require. Call us today to schedule your physical at our Midland, Michigan, office, or request an appointment online.