Here’s What You Should
Bring to a DOT Physical
Exam
For your visit, please bring a complete list of all your medication with as much information as you can, including your doctors’ names and addresses as well as doses. Please print and complete this form prior to your visit.
For patients with high blood pressure:
- Blood pressure must be below 140/90 the day of your exam. If not, you may not qualify for a DOT card.
For patients with diabetes:
- Bring your most current results of a Hemoglobin A1C (HgAIC), as well as blood sugar logs and/or other related records regarding your diabetes.
- Blood sugar should be controlled. For patients who require corrective lenses, contacts, or hearing aids:
- Bring your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids to your test (as it is required to pass a hearing and vision test).
For patients with nighttime sleep disturbance (sleep apnea) and use a CPAP machine:
- Bring a machine-documented reading that shows your proper use of the machine; it may also be required to have a letter from your sleep specialist.
- Bring >90 days of data; data from the past year is optimal.
For patients who suffered from a stroke, seizure disorder, a brain tumor, or bleeding in the brain:
- Bring a letter from your neurologist outlining medical history, current neurologic and psychiatric state as well as current medications.
For patients taking the blood thinner Coumadin (Warfarin):
- Bring a recent Internationalized Normalized Ratio (INR) letter from your physician.
For patients with heart-related issues, (this can include stents, pacemaker, valve replacement, heart attack, open-heart surgery, or cardiac bypass surgery):
- Bring a letter from your cardiologist that outlines current medications, medical history and indicates you’re ability to safely drive a DOT vehicle.
- Additionally, you might need to bring results of any recent ECHO cardiogram, or other heart-related testing completed within the past 1-2 years.
For patients who experienced permanent loss of use in a limb:
- Bring summary note from your physician of the injury. Please make sure any work restrictions due to the injury are noted on the summary.
- To qualify for your DOT certification card, you may need a Skilled Performance Examination.
For patients taking medications that may cause sleepiness/sedation or controlled substances (such as sleeping pills, narcotics, anxiety or ADHD medication):
- Bring a letter and medical records from the treating physician in regards to the safety of using these medications while driving a DOT vehicle.
Helpful Advice:
If for any reason you’re concerned that you may not qualify for a DOT certification card, please consider scheduling a visit with your primary or specialty physician before a re-certification with CommunityMed. This document is a list of guidelines and is not meant to be a guarantee of passing the exam or all-inclusive of what might be needed. Additional information and/or testing may be required by your DOT examiner.