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DOT physicals are not just a really great idea for commercial vehicle operators in terms of their safety, but they are now required by law. New regulations were put into place for commercial vehicle operators, effective May 21, 2014. Also, it is no longer an option to go to just any doctor, clinic, or medical facility to have a DOT physical, as it was in prior to aforementioned date. The U.S. Department of transportation, or more commonly referred to as DOT, requires any medical examiner who wishes to conduct medical examinations to go through training about Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) physical requirements, advisory criteria and regulations. They also must pass a certification test to be able to perform theses examinations. Medical certificates bust be issued by examiners who are certified and listed on the National Registry. When you pass your DOT physical examination, this will allow you to operate machinery and also to operate your commercial vehicle. At MedFast Urgent Care Centers, all of our providers have successfully finished and passed the course. We are able to perform the examinations 7 days a week, 363 days a year. DOT physical examinations are easy and they can save your life and the life of the commercial and non-commercial vehicle operators that you encounter at all times.

All Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders are required by the Department of Transportation to undergo periodic physical examinations. These examinations are officially called Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Examinations. Sometimes, they are referred to as simply DOT physicals or DOT physical examinations. If you are operating a vehicle in interstate commerce and they meet the following requirements, you are required to undergo a DOT physical examination and carry a DOT medical certificate:

• Vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or gross combination weight (GCW) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) that is 10,001 pounds or more
• Vehicle is designed to transport between nine and 15 people
• Vehicle will be transporting hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded

There is often confusion around how often commercial drivers need to go in for a physical. CDL and non-CDL drivers alike are required to be medically certified and least once every 24 months. If a medical examiner determines that there is a medical condition that requires monitoring, they may issue the medical certificate for less than 24 months. If the medical examiner finds that you are physically capable of operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the medical examiner will give you a copy of your examination results. The driver must be given the original or a photocopy of the medical examiner's certificate to carry with them. The motor carrier must always receive a copy of the certificate to keep in the driver's qualification file. You are required to carry a copy of your medical examination certificate with you whenever you are driving. Your health, vision, hearing, physical fitness, and blood pressure are of the utmost importance in your life and in your career as a commercial driver, livery driver, or any other type of transporter. Your safety and the safety of other drivers require monitoring and periodic examining to make sure that you are well enough to continue to operate your vehicle without becoming a hazard to yourself or to others.

There are numerous medical clinics, doctor's offices, local medical facilities, and urgent care centers that offer DOT physicals, but some of them are not qualified to offer such services. MedFast Urgent Care Centers put a strong emphasis on DOT compliance.

When you are constantly traveling from place to place, for many hours, it is important to have the comfort of knowing that you are physically able to safely make these trips. It is important to understand what exactly a DOT physical entails. In order to properly determine whether or not you are qualified to operate a commercial vehicle, several factors will be considered. You will be required to undergo the following:

• Review of health history
• Thorough physical examination
• Urinalysis

Learn more about our DOT Physicals Service