1. Vision

Drivers are required to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. They are also required to have at least 70” peripheral in the horizontal meridian, measured in each eye.

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2. Hearing

Drivers must be able to perceive what is known as a “forced whisper” at a distance of 5ft or less, with or without a hearing aid. This standard equates to an average hearing loss in the better ear of less than 40 dB.

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3. Blood pressure/pulse rate

The medical examiner will check the driver's blood pressure and pulse to look for high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats.

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4. Urinalysis

A urinalysis is required. The test looks for indications of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.  This is not a drug screening, but tests for blood, sugar, or protein in the urine. 

Please be prepared to go to the bathroom when you get to our facility.

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5. Physical Examination

The physical exam will cover a dozen different categories:

• General appearance

• Eyes (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.)

• Ears (scarring of tympanic membrane, perforated ear drums, etc.)

• Mouth and throat (to look for problems breathing or swallowing)

• Heart (murmurs, extra sounds, pacemaker, etc.)

• Lungs and chest, not including breast examination (abnormal breathing, impaired respiratory functions, cyanosis, etc.)

• Abdomen and Viscera (enlarged liver, viscera, muscle weakness)

• Vascular (abnormal pulse, carotid, varicose veins)

• Genito-urinary (hernias)

• Extremities (limb impaired)

• Spine, other musculoskeletal (previous surgery, limitation of motion, tenderness, etc.)

• Neurological (impaired equilibrium, coordination or speech pattern, ataxia, asymmetric deep tendon reflexes)

 

 

 

A DOT physical can only be completed by a medical examiner certified by the FMCSA. It is up to the Medical Examiner to determine if a candidate meets all the requirements, and to mark the report to the best of their knowledge.