Department of Transportation (DOT) Physicals:
(This webpage has information only for CMV drivers and others that need medical clearance to drive. Please call us at (814)-237-5559 if you are seeking chiropractic care.)
Dr. Tyler Phillips is now a certified Medical Examiner for Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exams.
Exam purpose:
Drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) and certain other vehicles are required to obtain medical certification to legally drive. This physical evaluates the driver’s health in the context of driving, and its goal is to reduce the number of collisions and other harm on the road by only certifying those who are medically fit for duty. This exam may find an issue resulting in a referral, but no treatment of any condition occurs during this exam.
Who needs a DOT exam?
People that drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) are required to have a DOT physical to get and maintain their Medical Examiner Certificate (MCSA-5876) in order to drive. More specifically, these people are:
- Anyone with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Any non-CDL holder but is still required by federal law to have a Medical Examiner Certificate to drive
- A non-CDL interstate driver operating a vehicle greater than 10,000 pounds
- Most school bus drivers, unless they have federal exemption
- People that drive a vehicle designed for 8 or more passengers for compensation
- People that drive a vehicle designed for 15 or more passengers not for compensation
- A driver carrying hazardous waste that requires a place card on their vehicle
- None of the above, but the employer requires their drivers to have a Medical Certificate
What to expect:
Expect to write down and discuss your medical history, have vitals taken (such as blood pressure), have a physical exam performed including vision testing, and to have a basic urinary analysis performed to screen for metabolic diseases.
The appointment for the physical is 30 minutes long, and you will need to come 15 minutes early to fill out your paperwork.
If all goes as planned, the driver will leave with their Medical Certificate (MCSA-5876) and a copy of their Medical Exam (MCSA-5875).
Although this is a chiropractic office, no chiropractic treatments are provided during DOT physicals. The physical is focused solely on the driver’s health in relation to the demands of operating commercial motor vehicles.
How to prepare:
In order to make this appointment runs smoothly, there are a few things to do to prepare:
- Show up 15 minutes early to fill out the paperwork and to answer any questions you may have. Answer every question on this intake paperwork completely and truthfully.
- This office will print out the Health History form for you to fill out before the appointment.
- Dress comfortably and avoid tight clothing. For example, the doctor may need you to roll a pant leg up if there is a concern on the leg.
- Make sure you’re hydrated (not over-hydrated), as a urinary analysis is a federally required part of the DOT physical.
- Avoid caffeine if you have concerns of elevated blood pressure.
- Generally, leading a healthy lifestyle will increase likelihood of passing your physical. Factors such as poor diet, excess weight, alcohol use, smoking, stress, lack of sleep, and lack of physical activity are all things that can decrease the likelihood of passing your physical.
What items to bring to the physical?
- Your valid driver’s license
- List of your current medications
- List of your past surgeries and any medical conditions
- Lists of your allergies
- Contacts or glasses, if used for vision at any point
- A bottle of water may be helpful
If your employer wishes to have a copy of the physical sent to them, then they should give you an authorization form to bring to the appointment. We will not send your information to anyone without your signed consent.
Only if you have diabetes than you must come to the physical with one of these two forms already completed:
- Non-Insulin treated diabetic drivers must fill out the MCSA-5872 form
- Insulin treated diabetic drivers must fill out the MCSA-5870 form
Both diabetes-related forms can be found on FMCSA’s official website here. Please note that you will have to make an appointment with your treating clinician to complete either of these forms. We cannot start the physical without this form if a driver has diabetes.
Pricing:
There is a flat $75 fee for the physical. The outcome of the exam and/or certification does not alter this price. Group rates are available, call in for details.
How often will I need to have this physical performed?
Short answer: It depends, but up to 2 years.
The outcome of the physical and consequently how long a specific driver can be certified for varies based on their health. Certain conditions may limit how long your certification will last and will require more frequent monitoring, certain conditions may require further testing, and other more serious conditions may not allow a driver to be certified at all. It all depends on what is present, and the doctor here will work with you to promote healthy lifestyle changes that will keep you on the road longer.
Who can perform a DOT physical?
Any healthcare provider with a MD, DO, or DC degree can become a certified Medical Examiner. These providers are trained, tested, and then certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess the health of CMV drivers in the United States.
The FMCSA has a location-based search feature to find providers here.
More information:
For driver registration, information on exemptions, federal regulations, and more information about DOT physicals and driver requirements, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website here.
