DOT Physicals

A Department of Transportation (DOT) examination should be done by a licensed medical examiner. A DOT physical exam is valid for 24 months unless specified otherwise by the examiner. An examiner may issue the certificate for less than 24 months if there are conditions to monitor, like high blood pressure.

If the examiner believes the person that is examined is qualified physically to drive a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV, the examiner will then provide a copy of the results to the one examined and fill out a Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

The FMCSA physical exam is important to help make sure the person being examined is qualified physically and medically to operate a CMV safely. For safety purposes, CMV drivers will be held to a higher physical, emotional, and medical standard than every day passenger car drivers.