Any driver who:

• Operates a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross vehicle weight (GVW), or gross combination weight (GCW) of 10,001 pounds or more.

• Transports hazardous materials, in a quantity requiring placards.

• Operates a motor vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver).

• Operates a motor vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers, for direct compensation, beyond 75 air miles from the driver’s normal work-reporting location.

The DOT medical exam can only be completed by a federally certified medical examiner (CME). That examiner will have a National Registry Number, which must be included on the medical certificate issued to a driver.

The CME who completes your DOT physical will ask you detailed questions about your medical history. The questions will cover medications, tobacco use, alcohol use, and illegal drug use. In addition, the physical exam will check height, weight, blood pressure, hearing, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, spine, neurological and behavioral health. A urinalysis will check for protein, blood, sugar, and specific gravity.

You might also need a sleep apnea test if you have signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which you stop breathing while you sleep. 

The DOT physical exam requirements do not include a drug test, but you will still have to give a urine sample which is used to screen for potential medical conditions.

However, a pre-employment drug test is required, so your company may request to have a drug screen done at the same time as your DOT physical.

To save time at the physical, you can fill out the driver's part of the exam at home. You can download the form here or complete and submit it online via the link that will be sent to you when you schedule your exam with us.

The form will ask you to provide basic information about your medical history, medications, and use of any assistive devices such as hearing aids, glasses, or contacts.

Do your best to maintain or improve your health:

• If you have diabetes, keep track of your blood sugar readings and your most recent Hgb A1C. 

• If you use insulin, your prescribing provider must complete the Insulin-treated Diabetes Mellitus Form, and you must bring it to your exam.

• If you have sleep apnea, you are required to provide records from the last 90 days from your CPAP machine.

• If you have heart problems, you must provide a letter from your cardiologist stating you are cleared to drive. In addition, bring any results from stress tests, echocardiograms, and any other diagnostic studies related to your condition. 

• If you are taking any medications that can make you sleepy or are taking any controlled substances, you'll need a letter and medical records from your prescribing provider.

• If you are taking a blood thinner, you will need a clearance letter from your prescribing provider and a recent INR (if taking Warfarin/Coumadin). 

• Try to avoid coffee, tobacco, and energy drinks before your exam as this can cause your blood pressure to increase.

Conditions that may disqualify you from receiving a DOT medical certificate are those that interfere with your ability to drive safely. Such conditions can include:

• Uncontrolled or unstable heart conditions

• Epilepsy or seizure disorders

• Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that causes dizziness

• Uncontrolled diabetes

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Vision loss that can't be corrected

• Hearing loss that can't be corrected

• Use of marijuana, even if prescribed

• Use of illegal substances

• Use of oxygen therapy

• Some respiratory conditions

• Protein in the urine, which may indicate kidney disease

Sometimes, you may be disqualified until you bring a medical condition under control. If you are able to resolve a disqualifying condition- for example, if your blood pressure is now controlled- you can reapply for certification.

Yes, a driver may apply for an exemption from the standards where the driver can show that safety would not be diminished by granting the exemption. The exemption may be granted for up to two years, and may be renewed.

See the FMCSA Driver Exemption Programs for more information and details of how to apply.

If the driver meets all the FMCSA standards, the medical certificate will be valid for 2 years.

If the driver meets standards, but periodic monitoring is required for certain conditions, a medical certificate will be issued for a limited time period. Depending on those conditions, the period could be 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or some other time limit.

Even if you have a current medical certificate, you are prohibited from driving a CMV with any medical condition that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner before resuming operation of a CMV.

Yes, your employer can require you to complete a new physical if it is company policy. They will also usually pay for the exam if they require it.

The driver must carry the original medical card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate, form MCSA-5876) with you at all times you are driving.

• Make sure you provide a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate to the company that employs you.

• Keep a copy of the long form (Medical Examination Report, form MCSA-5875) for your records.

It is also the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the most current Medical Examiner’s Certificate is on file with their CDL. Remember to renew the copy of your Medical Examiner’s Certificate together with your Self-Certification form at the State Motor Vehicle Safety Office.

The Federal interstate DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate is valid nationwide. You can get certified in any state, no matter which state issued your CDL.

Contact the office where you completed the DOT physical and request a duplicate be made and sent to you. The FMCSA requires the medical office to keep all DOT exams on file for at least three years.

Any person working in a position that is considered "safety-sensitive" is subject to DOT drug testing.

The DOT looks at job duties, not just job titles, when determining whether a position qualifies as safety-sensitive. Some safety-sensitive tasks include:

• Driving a commercial vehicle

• Working on a pipeline

• Repairing an airplane

• Operating a ferry, bus, or train

In addition, employees like flight attendants and security guards are also included within the regulations.

Employers regulated by the following DOT agencies are required to send applicants and employees for DOT drug tests:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

An employer is subject to DOT’s drug and alcohol regulations even if the employer has only one employee who is subject to the requirements, and these regulations also apply to transportation performed by state and local governments.

• Pre-employment – An employer must receive a negative drug test result before permitting an employee to work in a safety-sensitive position.

• Post-accident – Drug and alcohol tests may be required after incidences

• Random – Employees must be randomly tested throughout the year

• Reasonable suspicion – Employees who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be immediately tested.

• Return-to-duty – Required for employees who tested positive, refused, or otherwise violated the prohibitions of 49 CFR Part 382 Subpart B; and who have completed the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional. This test is directly observed, and a negative result is required before resuming duties.

• Follow-up – Required for employees who tested positive, refused, or otherwise violated the prohibitions of 49 CFR Part 382 Subpart B; and who have completed the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional, and have tested negative for a return-to-duty test. This testing is prescribed by the substance abuse professional for a minimum of 6 directly observed tests in 12 months, but can be extended an additional four years

DOT drug tests require laboratory testing for the following five classes of drugs:

• Marijuana

• Cocaine

• Opiates – opium and codeine derivatives

• Amphetamines and methamphetamines

• Phencyclidine – PCP

NOTE: DOT does allow motor carrier employers to institute a “company authority” testing program that is in addition to, and distinct from, the required DOT testing program. Under such non-DOT programs, employers could test for other drugs. DOT also allows employers to use tests of non-urine specimens (such as hair and saliva) under a non-DOT program.

Other substances that may be included are Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Propoxyphene, Methadone, Methaqualone (Quaaludes) and more.

The DOT guideline for medical marijuana use and safety-sensitive employees (including pilots, school bus drivers, truck drivers, train engineers, subway operators, limousine drivers, aircraft personnel, ship captains, and more) states that it does not authorize medical marijuana as a valid reason for a transportation employee’s positive drug test. When a transportation employee has to undergo any type of employee drug testing, whether that be pre-employment, post-accident, or return-to-duty, a medical review officer will not verify a drug test result as "acceptable" based on the fact that the employee has a legal medical marijuana prescription.

Refusal to submit to a drug or alcohol test is generally equivalent to testing positive. You must immediately be removed from performing safety-sensitive functions (such as driving a CMV) until successful completion of the return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional.

Yes, all employees working in a safety-sensitive position must be included in the DOT random pool at all times.

The Physicals Solution, LLC team provides a comprehensive range of physical exam and drug screen specimen collections, all delivered at a location convenient for you. Contact us to discuss your needs and schedule your service.

We provide mobile services for individuals, large employers, and everyone between.

• NOTE: mobile service for individuals are offered on O'ahu only. Minimum requirements apply for on-site service on all other Hawaiian islands. Contact us for details.

There is no extra charge for individual drug screen specimen collections. A convenience fee will be charged for on-site physical exams and large drug screen specimen collections. Contact us for more detail.

We service all of Hawai'i.

• NOTE: Minimum requirements may apply. Contact us for details.

All services at Physicals Solution, LLC are by appointment only. We frequently have same-day appointments available, so give us a call at (808) 500-9403 or schedule online.

Physicals Solution, LLC offers self- or employer-paid services only.

Metered street and garage parking is available at a rate of $1.50 per hour. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer validated parking.

We are available Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm and Saturday from 8am-12pm (for urine collections only). Click here to schedule an appointment online, or call (808) 500-9403. Contact us here if you prefer email communication.