DOT physical guide
What is a DOT physical?
It's the medical exam the FMCSA requires before you can run a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce. A certified medical examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, urine, and general physical condition against the standards in 49 CFR 391.41, then issues a medical card good for up to 24 months.
Most drivers don't fail outright. What actually happens is a shorter card — 3 months or 1 year instead of 2 — usually because of blood pressure or a sleep apnea flag. This guide covers what's tested, what to bring, and where drivers lose time.
What a DOT physical consists of
Health history
You list conditions, surgeries, and every medication you take. Be accurate — an inconsistency here is the fastest way to a follow-up requirement.
Vision
At least 20/40 in each eye and both eyes together, with or without correction, plus at least 70 degrees of peripheral vision in the horizontal meridian and the ability to recognize red, amber, and green.
Hearing
You must perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet or better, with or without a hearing aid, or pass an audiometric test.
Blood pressure & pulse
Below 140/90 gets you the full card. Higher readings shorten the certification period — this is the single most common reason drivers get a 3-month or 1-year card.
Urinalysis
Screens for protein, blood, and sugar as markers of kidney disease or undiagnosed diabetes. Not a drug test.
Physical exam
Hands-on check of the heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, extremities, and neurological function, plus a sleep apnea risk assessment.
How long your card lasts
The certification period is set by the examiner, not by you:
- 24 months — the standard card when nothing needs monitoring.
- 12 months — common with stage 1 blood pressure (140–159 / 90–99) or a monitored condition like diabetes.
- 3 months — a one-time certification for stage 2 blood pressure (160–179 / 100–109), so you can get the reading down.
- Disqualified until treated — stage 3 blood pressure (180/110 or higher), untreated sleep apnea, or a condition that needs specialist clearance.
Source: FMCSA physical qualification standards, 49 CFR 391.41, and the FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook advisory criteria.
What to bring to your exam
- Photo ID and your CDL.
- A written list of every medication, the dose, and the prescribing doctor.
- Glasses, contacts, or hearing aids — bring them, don't try to pass without them.
- CPAP compliance download if you're treated for sleep apnea (most examiners want 30+ days at 70%+ usage).
- Recent A1C or blood sugar log if you're diabetic.
- Specialist clearance letters for any heart, neurological, or vision condition.
Go deeper on the two things that cost drivers the most
DOT blood pressure limits
The exact thresholds, what each one does to your card, and what actually moves the number before your exam.
Read the guideDOT sleep apnea screening
Why examiners refer drivers for a sleep study, the risk factors they use, and what a referral actually means for your card.
Read the guideDOT physical FAQ
What is a DOT physical?+
A DOT physical is the medical exam required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. It is performed by a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry and checks whether you meet the physical qualification standards in 49 CFR 391.41.
How long is a DOT medical card good for?+
The maximum certification period is 24 months. Examiners issue shorter cards — commonly 12 months, 3 months, or 6 months — when a condition such as high blood pressure needs to be monitored.
What does a DOT physical consist of?+
A health history review, vision and hearing checks, blood pressure and pulse, a urinalysis, and a hands-on physical exam covering the heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, neurological system, and extremities.
Is a drug test part of the DOT physical?+
No. The urinalysis in a DOT physical screens for protein, blood, and sugar — it is not a drug screen. DOT drug testing is a separate requirement handled by your employer's testing program.
What should I bring to my DOT physical?+
A photo ID, a list of your current medications with dosages and prescribing doctors, your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids, and any specialist letters, CPAP compliance data, or blood sugar logs relevant to a condition you already manage.
What disqualifies you from a DOT physical?+
Common reasons for failing or receiving a short card include blood pressure at or above 140/90, uncorrected vision worse than 20/40, untreated sleep apnea, uncontrolled diabetes, certain heart conditions, and use of some prescription medications. Many of these result in a temporary card rather than a permanent disqualification.
The numbers on that form come from what you do between exams.
Cab-Fit gives you 10-minute workouts you can do next to the rig and truck-stop meal picks with USDA-verified macros — the two habits that move weight and blood pressure without leaving the road.
Cab-Fit is a fitness and nutrition app. This page is general information, not medical advice — your certified medical examiner makes the call.