What You Need to Know Before Taking Your CDL Medical Exam in 2022

Overview

• Individuals who want to obtain or maintain a commercial driver’s license must pass a DOT physical.
• The DOT physical tests various physical and mental health traits, from heart health to neurological ability.
• Some disqualifying health conditions will keep you from working as a commercial truck driver.
• In most cases, a DOT exam is valid for two years. You should get a new medical examination report before this expiration date.
• Some drivers with certain health conditions, like severe hypertension, may require more regular exams.

Truckers are an integral part of the consumer supply chain, delivering everything from food to medication to people across the United States. If you want to become a commercial truck driver, you’ll have to obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL). This requires passing a U.S. Department of Transportation physical exam, or DOT physical. You’ll also have to complete a periodic physical to keep your CDL current.

A DOT physical exam (also called a DOT physical or CDL physical) is a health and safety exam that all commercial truck drivers must pass to receive and retain their CDL. The goal of the medical exam is to ensure that you can safely drive a commercial truck without endangering yourself or others.

Commercial motor vehicles (CMV) are large and require extra cautious handling. If you have a health emergency behind the wheel — for example, a heart attack or stroke — you risk causing an accident that can hurt people and damage property. This is especially critical in cases of commercial vehicles carrying dangerous loads, such as flammable liquids.

The DOT physical is required to get or keep a CDL, which is needed for most intrastate and interstate commerce driving roles. The medical exam assesses your current state of health and your past health history.

The DOT physical examination consists of a standard procedure with the same set of metrics assessed nationwide. Having to pass an exam to be allowed to perform your chosen profession can be nerve-wracking. However, the DOT physical isn’t cause for alarm. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can ease your nerves.

So, what is tested on a DOT physical? Read on to find out.

Good visual acuity is essential for safe driving. You have to be able to see other vehicles, spot possible road hazards, and read road signage. To pass the DOT physical, you’ll have to complete a standard eye exam reading from a letter chart and prove at least 20/40 vision in both eyes. You can use corrective glasses or contact lenses in case of impairment. Peripheral vision must be at least 70 degrees. Finally, you’ll be screened for color blindness.

Hearing is also critical to road safety. You have to be able to hear other car horns when they honk, for example. Your ability to hear sounds at tones at various frequencies and distances will be evaluated. For this part of the exam, you’ll wear a headset to listen to various noises and be asked to raise your hand when you hear certain sounds.

Many health issues can manifest physically. A person who is overweight is at greater risk of high blood pressure, for example. Signs of drug or alcohol abuse, such as tremors, are another example of how physical health can be seen.

Your blood pressure will be measured using a blood pressure cuff. Blood pressure is a critical metric because it’s strongly linked to your likelihood of adverse health events like a heart attack or stroke.

Below is a rundown of blood pressure metrics and how they impact your exam outcome:

• Normal blood pressure (140/90). You’ll be certified for two years.
• First-time reading with Stage 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99). You’ll be certified for one year.
• First-time reading with Stage 2 hypertension (160-179/100-109). You’ll be certified for three months. If you lower your blood pressure to 140/90 in those three months, you’ll be certified for one year.
• First-time reading with Stage 3 hypertension (180/110). You’ll be disqualified. However, if you get your blood pressure down to less than 140/90, you can recertify in six-month intervals going forward.

A urine test checks factors like how much protein, sugar, or blood is present in your urine. This can indicate underlying health problems. You’ll likely be given a “dip stick” to hold in a stream of urine. The DOT physical exam doesn’t test for drug use like marijuana or opiates. However, it’s very likely that the trucking company that hires you will require regular drug tests administered via urine analysis.

Your lungs supply your body with the oxygen it needs to maintain optimal function. Without enough oxygen, you risk issues like losing consciousness. People who require oxygen therapy (like an oxygen tank to cope with a condition like COPD) will likely be disqualified from receiving their CDL. You’ll have to breathe deeply while the examiner listens to your lungs.

During this part of the exam, the DOT examiner will check your coordination and reflexes. For example, they will strike pressure points on your knees and elbows to assess corresponding movement. The aim is to pinpoint any conditions that could impede your ability to safely handle a vehicle. Medical conditions like epilepsy may disqualify you, for example.

Your heart is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. If you have a history of cardiovascular issues like heart attacks, you need to provide a cardiologist’s note attesting that your condition will not interfere with your ability to drive safely. You may also need to complete an exercise stress test, in which your heart rate is monitored while you walk or run on a treadmill.

Along with the heart, the vascular system carries blood throughout the body. It consists of vessels, arteries, and veins. Vascular function may be tested using a high-frequency ultrasound to check the state of blood flow. This can indicate issues like a blood clot, which can lead to a potentially fatal stroke if not detected and fixed.

Your spine will be checked for abnormalities that could impede your movement and thus your ability to commandeer a vehicle. For example, a simple scoliosis check is done by having the patient bend over to assess curvature of the spine.

You need to be able to use your arms, hands, and legs to shift gears, use turn signals, and maneuver truck pedals. A DOT examiner will thus check for extremity functionality. Note that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has special waiver exemptions for drivers with missing limbs.

The key to passing your CDL medical exam is to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Read on for basic health tips to implement in your everyday life:

• Eat healthy. Get a balanced diet of whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid excess sugar, fat, and sodium, which increases the risk of issues like hypertension and diabetes.
• Stay hydrated. Avoid overconsumption of coffee and soda, which has a diuretic effect and causes the body to lose fluids. Instead, drink water. On average, men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids per day, while women need about 11.5 cups.
• Practice good hygiene. Basic hygiene like brushing and flossing your teeth impacts your overall health. Failing to floss increases the risk of gum disease, for example, which is linked to heart health issues.
• Exercise. Trucking is a sedentary job. It’s important to offset this lifestyle by getting sufficient exercise. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity every week.
• Regularly see your health care practitioner. Catching early signs of potential health problems allows you to proactively prevent them from getting worse. Get regular checkups to detect potential issues and make lifestyle changes as needed.

In most cases, commercial truck drivers must complete a DOT test every two years. Regular exams ensure you are still in good enough health to operate your vehicle. However, in some cases, more frequent testing may be needed — for example, for drivers with Stage 2 hypertension, as described above.

The DOT physical must be administered by a certified CDL medical examiner registered with the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). You can’t complete this test with any primary care doctor. You can check the FMCSA website to find a certified CDL medical examiner in your area.

Once you have your medical certification, Joblist can help you find commercial truck driver opportunities in your area. Our platform will pair you with fitting jobs based on your background, resume, and desired location and field of work. You can tailor your job search even more using our quiz for job seekers. Sign up today to get started.