Periodic medical exams are required by the Department of Transportation for all Commercial Drivers. We offer same day or next day appointments and allow you to book your appointments online! This is to ensure the ability of the driver to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Our Health Care Providers are listed on The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiner who have been trained, tested and certified to perform medical examinations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in interstate commerce.
The certified medical examiner would:
- Demonstrate an understanding of FMCSA physical qualification requirements and the demands of commercial driving, driver tasks, and the work environment.
- Perform driver certification examinations in accordance with FMCSA physical qualification requirements and medical guidelines.
We are trained in the medical standards in the FMCSA Regulations.
At e7 Health DOT OR CDL Exams are performed by Board Certified Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, or Physician Assistants. We can usually accommodate same or next day appointments.
- We provide the medical examiner certificate
- Exam is performed to the standards of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- We also provide the completed medical long form which is easily completed electronically
Who needs a DOT/CDL Exam?
Driver is operating a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce that:
- Has combined gross vehicle weight or weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or more
- Is designed or used to transport 9-15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) whether for compensation or not.
- Transports hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding under the hazardous materials regulations.
What to expect during you DOT exam?
- Please bring your driver’s license
- The medical examiner will review the Health History section with the driver and conduct the physical examination.
- The medical form, (form MCSA-5875) will be provided by our office electronically.
- A urinalysis will be performed to help screen for diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease
- If you wear corrective lenses, please bring them with you for the examination as a vision exam will be performed.
- Your medical certificate will be issued provided no complicated medical issues exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is a medical exam required?
- When a driver returns from an illness or injury that interferes with driving ability, the driver must undergo a medical examination even if the medical examiner's certificate has not expired.
- The medical examiner is responsible for certifying only drivers who meet the physical qualification standards. Certification cannot exceed 2 years, and at the discretion of the FMCSA medical examiner, may be less than 2 years.
Can I still get a medical certificate if I have a medical condition that is being treated by a physician?
The decision is made by the Medical Examiner. The examiner may request information about the driver's condition from their treating doctor. In general, certification is permitted if the driver does not have a condition, use medication or receive treatment that impairs safe driving.
Why are the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension important?
These criteria are important because there is strong prospective, randomized clinical-trial evidence that hypertension markedly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and that effective treatment reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To be certified to drive, the driver should have ongoing hypertension management and be free of side effects that may impair safe driving.
Will my employer have access to my medical evaluation?
Although the FMCSRs do not require the Medical Examiner to give a copy of the Medical Examination Report to the employer, the FMCSA does not prohibit employers from obtaining copies of the medical examination form (long form). Medical Examiners should have a release form signed by the driver if the employer wishes to obtain a copy of the medical examination form (long form).
Employers must comply with applicable State and Federal laws regarding the privacy and maintenance of employee medical information. For information about the provisions of the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (the Privacy Rule) that was mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (Public Law 104-191), contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the HIPAA Web site of the Office of Civil Rights. Their toll-free information line is: 1-866-627-7748.
What medical conditions disqualify a commercial bus or truck driver?
The truck driver must be medically qualified to not only drive the vehicle safely, but also to do pre and post trip safety inspections, secure the load and make sure it has not shifted. Bus drivers have different demands. By regulation, Specific Medically Disqualifying Conditions Found under 49 CFR 391.41 are Hearing Loss, Vision Loss, and Epilepsy. Drivers who require a Diabetes or Vision exemption to safely drive a CMV in addition to those pre-printed on the certification form are disqualified until they receive such an exemption.
Is getting a medical certificate mandatory for all CMV drivers in the United States?
In general, all CMV drivers driving in interstate commerce within the United States must obtain medical certification from a Medical Examiner. CMV drivers from Canada and Mexico can be medically qualified in their countries.
What is the protocol if the Medical Examiner's Certificate gets damaged, lost or unreadable?
A copy of the Medical Examiner's Certificate should be kept on file in the Medical Examiner's records. The driver may request a replacement copy of the certificate from the Medical Examiner or get a copy of the certificate from the motor carrier.
What is a waiver? An exemption?
A waiver is temporary regulatory relief from one or more of the FMCSRs given to a person subject to the regulations, or a person who intends to engage in an activity that would be subject to the regulations. A waiver provides the person with relief from the regulation for up to three months. 49 CFR 391.64 provides waivers to CMV drivers who were in the initial vision programs in the early 1990s.
An exemption is a temporary regulatory relief from one or more of the FMCSRs given to a person or class of persons subject to the regulations, or who intend to engage in an activity that would make them subject to the regulation. An exemption provides the person or class of persons with relief from the regulations for up to two years, but may be renewed.
Who can give a waiver or exemption?
The Medical Examiner cannot grant waivers or exemptions. Only the FMCSA grants waivers or exemptions for certain medical conditions if the individual is otherwise qualified to drive. Section 381.205 of the FMCSRs allow the driver to request a waiver if one or more of the FMCSRs prevent the driver from operating a CMV or make it unreasonably difficult to do so, during a unique, non-emergency event that will take no more than three months to complete.
Can a driver receive a hearing waiver?
Currently, there is no waiver program for hearing.
Is Proteinuria disqualifying?
Depending on the amount, protein in the urine (Proteinuria) may indicate significant renal disease. The Medical Examiner may certify, time limit, or disqualify a commercial driver with Proteinuria. The decision is based on whether the examiner believes that Proteinuria may adversely affect safe driving regardless of the examiner's decision. The driver should be referred for follow-up.
May a Medical Examiner qualify a driver who has blood in his urine?
The Medical Examiner decides to certify, time-limit or disqualify. The decision to certify a driver is determined by whether the examiner believes that the blood in the urine affects the ability of the commercial driver to safely. Regardless of whether the CMV driver is certified, the Medical Examiner should document referral to a specialist or the driver’s Primary Care Provider.
Am I required to have a medical certificate if I only operate a CMV in my home State (intrastate commerce)?
Intrastate drivers are subject to the physical qualification regulations of their States. All 50 States have adapted their regulations based on some of the Federal requirements. Many states grant waivers for certain medical conditions.
NOTE: FedEx, UPS and DHL drivers usually do not leave the state but are subject to interstate regulations.
Can a CMV driver be disqualified for using a legally prescribed drug?
Although the driver has a legal prescription, he/she may be disqualified if the medication could adversely affect the driver’s ability to drive a CMV safely.
What tests are used to determine if a driver has adequate hearing to drive safely?
The tests are either the forced whisper test or audiometry. For the whispered voice test, the driver should be 5 feet from the examiner with the ear being tested turned toward the examiner. The other ear is covered. Using the breath which remains after a forced expiration, the examiner whispers words or random numbers such as 66,18.23. The examiner should not use only sibilants (s-sounding test materials). If the individual fails the whisper test, the audiometric test should be administered.
Is the employer legally responsible for paying for the DOT medical examination?
The FMCSRs do not address this issue.
What happens if a driver is not truthful about his/her health history on the medical examination form?
The FMCSA medical certification process is designed to ensure drivers are physically qualified to operate commercial vehicles safely. Each driver is required to complete the Health History section on the first page of the examination report and certify that the responses are complete and true. The driver must also certify that he/she understands that inaccurate, false or misleading information may invalidate the examination and medical examiner's certificate.
FMCSA relies on the medical examiner’s clinical judgment to decide whether additional information should be obtained from the driver's treating physician. Deliberate omission or falsification of information may invalidate the examination and any certificate issued based on it. A civil penalty may also be levied against the driver under 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(b), either for making a false statement or for concealing a disqualifying condition.
