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Road Ready Mobile DOT

Commercial Driver Medical Exam

DOT Compliance

Comprehensive DOT physical examinations for commercial drivers. FMCSA-certified medical examiners provide convenient on-site CDL medical exams throughout Southeast PA.

Commercial Driver Medical Exam

What is a Commercial Driver Exam?

A commercial driver physical is a comprehensive health assessment mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for all commercial motor vehicle operators. This specialized examination evaluates a driver's ability to safely operate large commercial vehicles on public roads. The commercial driver physical serves as a critical safety measure. It ensures drivers have the physical and mental capabilities needed for commercial driving demands. Unlike standard medical checkups, these examinations follow strict federal guidelines to identify conditions that could impair driving performance. Drivers operating vehicles that meet specific federal requirements must obtain a valid medical certification.


Who Needs a Commercial Driver Medical Exam?
  • Drivers of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
  • Drivers of vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers
  • Drivers transporting hazardous materials
  • Drivers requiring commercial driver's license (CDL) endorsements
  • Includes: Long-haul truckers, local delivery drivers, bus operators, construction equipment operators, and emergency vehicle drivers

DOT Medical Standards

Vision Requirements

  • 20/40 acuity or better in each eye (with or without correction)
  • At least 70 degrees peripheral vision in both eyes
  • Ability to distinguish traffic signal colors
  • No significant visual field defects

Hearing & Respiratory Standards

  • Perceive forced whisper at five feet
  • May alternatively pass an audiometric test
  • Hearing aids acceptable when required
  • Standards ensure adequate oxygen delivery
  • Sleep apnea screening required for high-risk drivers

Cardiovascular Health

  • Two-year certification: 140/90 maximum
  • Blood pressure 140-159/90-99 mmHg qualifies for one-year certificates
  • Higher readings require treatment and re-examination
  • Disqualifying conditions include current cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, recent heart attack, or cardiac surgery

Diabetes Management

  • Insulin users must participate in the Federal Diabetes Exemption Program
  • Non-insulin diabetes management through diet or medication allows standard certification
  • Medications: No performance-impairing drugs
  • Proper control documentation is required for all diabetic drivers

DOT Medical Certificate Requirements

Understanding CDL medical certification requirements helps drivers stay compliant and avoid issues. Operating a commercial vehicle with an expired or invalid medical certificate can lead to fines and license suspension. Temporary disqualifications may occur due to elevated blood pressure needing medication adjustment, sleep apnea requiring CPAP therapy, diabetes requiring improved glucose control, or vision problems that can be corrected with updated prescriptions.

Certificate Validity Periods

  • Two years: Drivers meeting all standards without monitoring needs
  • One year: Drivers with controlled conditions like hypertension or diabetes
  • 3-6 months: Drivers with conditions requiring close monitoring
  • Temporary disqualification: Pending treatment or specialist evaluation

Disqualifying Conditions

  • Uncontrolled diabetes with blood sugar over 400 mg/dL
  • Blood pressure over 180/110 mmHg
  • Recent heart attack, stroke, or cardiac surgery
  • Active substance abuse or certain psychiatric conditions
  • Severe vision or hearing impairments without exemptions

Common Medical Conditions and Exemptions

Many commercial drivers successfully maintain driver medical certification despite medical conditions through proper management and federal exemption programs.

Diabetes Management

  • Non-insulin dependent: Standard certification with A1C documentation
  • Insulin dependent: Federal Diabetes Exemption Program participation required
  • Requirements: stable insulin regimen, no severe hypoglycemic episodes, regular physician monitoring, annual eye exams

Sleep Apnea Treatment

  • Compliant CPAP therapy usage (minimum 4 hours/night, 70% of nights
  • Regular sleep medicine specialist follow-up
  • Documented improved daytime alertness
  • Objective CPAP compliance data

Cardiovascular Conditions

  • Controlled hypertension may qualify
  • Previous cardiac events with good recovery may qualify
  • Managed heart conditions may qualify with proper documentation

Vision Impairments

  • Federal Vision Exemption Program allows certain drivers with monocular vision or specific visual impairments to maintain certification
  • Enhanced monitoring required for exemption

Required Documentation

Proper preparation ensures your commercial license medical examination proceeds smoothly without delays.

Essential Documents

  • Current driver's license and CDL
  • Previous DOT medical certificates
  • Complete medication list with dosages
  • Medical summary from primary care physician for ongoing conditions

Specialized Documentation

  • Cardiology clearance for heart conditions
  • Endocrinology reports for diabetes management
  • Sleep study results and CPAP compliance data
  • Vision specialist reports for eye conditions
  • Specialist clearance letters for neurological conditions

Preperation Tips

  • Schedule when you feel rested and healthy
  • Bring glasses or contacts used for driving
  • Avoid caffeine before examination
  • Compile complete medication information
  • Gather recent laboratory results for chronic conditions

Fleet Programs Service

Transportation companies benefit from comprehensive fleet programs designed to streamline driver medical certification management. These programs minimize operational disruption with coordinated examination dates, offer volume discounts for multiple drivers, and reduce administrative time through centralized scheduling and consistent standards. Compliance management includes secure record keeping, automated renewal reminders, integration with fleet management software, and customizable reporting. Specialized services cater to unique needs, such as seasonal scheduling for construction fleets, expedited processing for trucking, just-in-time scheduling for logistics companies, and critical continuity for emergency vehicle fleets.

Commercial Driver Physical Examination Process

The commercial driver physical follows a standardized protocol ensuring consistent evaluation across all certified examiners.

1

Medical History Documentation

Every commercial license medical exam begins with detailed forms covering:

  • Previous medical conditions and surgeries
  • Current medications and treatments
  • Family medical history
  • Previous DOT examination results
  • Current symptoms or health concerns
2

Physical Examination Components

Systematic evaluation includes:

  • Vital signs measurement (blood pressure, pulse, temperature)
  • General appearance and mental alertness assessment
  • Heart and lung examination
  • Abdominal examination for abnormalities
  • Extremity evaluation for strength and mobility
  • Neurological assessment including reflexes
3

Vision and Hearing Testing

DOT driver medical exam Pennsylvania includes:

  • Distance visual acuity testing with and without correction
  • Peripheral vision through confrontation testing
  • Color vision assessment using standard plates
  • Hearing evaluation through whispered voice test
4

Urinalysis and Results

Testing checks for protein, blood, and glucose indicating underlying medical conditions. This differs from drug testing, which is a separate service. Most examinations take 30-45 minutes, depending on medical complexity and additional testing requirements.

Choose Road Ready Mobile DOT

  • FMCSA certification: All examiners listed on the National Registry.

  • Comprehensive coverage: Service throughout Southeast PA.

  • Same-day results: Immediate processing and certificate issuance.

  • Expert knowledge: Extensive experience handling complex medical conditions.

  • Professional service: Courteous, efficient examinations for all drivers.

  • Convenient on-site service: DOT compliance brought directly to your location.

  • Fleet pricing and group services: Streamline compliance and reduce operational costs.

  • Flexible scheduling: Appointments that work around drivers’ schedules to maintain continuous operation.


SERVICE AREA COVERAGE

We Come To You

Road Ready Mobile DOT provides mobile DOT services to worksites, terminals, and offices across the region. We make it easy for companies to access reliable DOT services.

We provide Commercial Driver Medical Exam services throughout:

  • Berks County
  • Lancaster County
  • Lebanon County
  • Lehigh County
  • Schuylkill County

GET IN TOUCH

Schedule Your Commercial Driver Physical Today

Our certified examiners ensure full DOT compliance at your location. Fleet pricing is available to streamline compliance and reduce costs. Call now to book flexible appointments and keep your drivers on the road.

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