Everything You Need to Know About the DOT Physical and CDL Medical Card

Any driver on the road takes their life, as well as the lives of drivers around them, into their hands. This is especially true for professional truck drivers who, at a minimum, can cause monetary losses for the company they're driving and delivering for, should a health-related delay or accident occur... And of course a worst-case scenario being a loss of life. For this reason, you are required by the Department of Transportation in most states to obtain a CDL Medical Card before you can receive your CDL learner's permit. This card is given after you "pass" a DOT Physical, given by an approved DOT Medical Examiner. The DOT medical exam has the following minimum requirements for medical clearance to hold a CDL in non-exempted situations:

• 20/40 correctable vision in each eye
• Diabetes, if controlled through diet, may be approved. Diabetics requiring needle-injected insulin is more likely to be a disqualification from being an interstate driver, but some states do have Insulin-Dependent Intrastate Waivers.
• Hearing: a) Must first perceive forced whispered voice > 5 ft., with or without hearing aid, or b) average hearing loss in better ear < 40 dB
• Blood Pressure:
• 140/90 or below, for a 24-month certificate
• 140-159/90-99, for a 12-month certificate
• 160-179/100-109, for a 3-month temporary certificate
• Anything higher than the above will disqualify you from receiving your DOT CDL medical card.
• Blood sugar must be under 200.
• Use of narcotics will not be approved
• Heart disease or other heart issues may require an additional doctor's note.

The following may affect the outcome of a DOT CDL physical:

• Sleep Apnea
• Recent back injury
• Recent major surgery
• Current hernia

For more detailed requirements, view the form: Medical Examination Report FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER FITNESS DETERMINATION

Most medical certificates are valid for 2 years, unless you have a medical condition that requires more frequent monitoring. If you are working on your CDL with Southwest Truck Driver Training, the following links provide CDL medical card information specific to the states of Arizona and Nevada:

ADOT CDL Medical Certification
DMVNV Do I need a medical certificate?
DMVNV Requirements for Medical Certification

Keep in mind that although you may not be required by some states to have a DOT Medical Card prior to validating your CDL, many employers will still require you to have a medical exam before you can get behind the wheel. It is probably best to just get the medical exam out of the way, no matter what your state requires, so you can get to work right away.

More information:

FMCSA CDL Medical
State-by-State Instructions for Submitting Medical Certificates to the State Driver Licensing Agencies