DOT PHYSICALS

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations/requirements for a variety of chronic conditions to help a medical examiner determine whether a driver can safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. We have included a summary of some of these conditions below, as well as some of the pertinent forms, to help prepare you for the DOT physical exam. Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of conditions that may require additional forms/clearance.  

 

Drivers should schedule their exam at least 30 days before their medical card expires. This helps make sure you have time to provide additional medical information if needed and reduces the likelihood that your card will expire before you can be cleared.  

 

Have questions? Give us a call at 615-259-8755 to discuss further.  

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Click on a title below to open or download the DOT form

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Medical Examination Report Form​

• All drivers should complete Section 1 of this form prior to their examination. Please print and bring the completed form to your appointment. 

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Anxiety/Depression/Psychiatric Conditions​ 

• If you have a history of a psychiatric condition (like anxiety, depression, or other similar conditions), we may require a form from the provider managing this condition stating that you are safe to drive.  

 

Cardiovascular Conditions

• If you have a history of certain cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, heart rhythm issues, or heart valve issues, we may require a form from your heart specialist and/or copies of recent testing.  

 

Controlled Substances/Sedating Medications

• Some controlled substances are permissible while others are not considered safe to use while driving a commercial motor vehicle. We may require a form and additional information from the prescribing provider if you take a controlled substance like a sleep medication, phentermine, or pain medication, among others.  

• Other medications, while not controlled, can cause drowsiness (like antihistamines or muscle relaxers). The certifying medical examiner may require a clearance form from your provider if you take a potentially sedating medication.  

 

Coumadin  

• If you take Coumadin, we may require a form from the prescribing provider indicating that you are safe to drive.  

Diabetes - insulin-treated 

Diabetes - non-insulin-treated

• If you have diabetes, we may require a form from your treating provider and/or copies of recent testing to ensure that you are safe to drive and that your blood sugars are well controlled, particularly if you take insulin to manage your diabetes.  

 

Epilepsy/Seizure Medications

• People with epilepsy are not able to operate a commercial motor vehicle. If you take a medication that is sometimes used for seizures (such as topiramate) for another condition, we may require a clearance form from your treating provider.  

 

Hearing Impairment

• If you are hearing impaired or require the use of hearing aids, we may require a form from an audiologist with copies of recent testing to make sure you are able to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.  

 

Hypertension 

• If you have high blood pressure, we may require a form from your treating provider. Blood pressure must be well controlled in order to be certified.  

 

Sleep Apnea  

• If you have risk factors for sleep apnea (such as obesity, high blood pressure, large neck circumference, age, etc.), the certifying medical examiner may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have it.  

• If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we require that you bring a CPAP compliance report that shows consistent use over the past year, as well as a form from the treating provider. Drivers must use their CPAP machine for at least 4 hours per night and 70% of the time in order to be certified.  

 

Vision Impairment

• If you are visually impaired or need corrective lenses (glasses or contacts), please bring them to your appointment. If your vision does not meet requirements set by FMCSA, we may require you to see an eye specialist and bring back a clearance form.  

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General Medical