The United States contains almost 4 million miles of roadways, but the interstate highway system only makes up about 1.2% of this total. This means that the nearly 1.25 million drivers who have commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs) are mostly concentrated onto these larger arteries that criss-cross our country.
To keep these, and all, roads safe, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that CDL holders undergo a medical exam at least once every two years.
Whether it’s your first DOT physical or you’re reupping your medical certification for your CDL, Dr. Ping Wong, Dr. Waiho Lum, and the rest of our team at Forest Urgent Care have you covered for these types of physicals.
Here’s a look at how you should prepare for your DOT physical and what to expect while you’re here with us.
It makes sense that medical certification is required for drivers who pilot large 5-ton trucks and buses. Quick decisions and reactions can make all the difference, so the DOT covers a wide range of areas of your health, including your:
We also do a general check of how you look and how you walk to check for balance issues.
The most important thing you can do to prepare for your DOT exam is to bring along any forms that apply to you.
First, go to this DOT page to figure out which forms you should be including, as there are separate forms for:
Download the medical examination report and fill in the necessary information before your appointment with us.
We also want you to bring along any medications that you’re taking, as well as a completed medication form. It’s also a good idea to bring any assistive devices you use, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, a cane, etc.
If you have any recent medical reports that might be pertinent, such as blood work, bring these along, as well.
When you come in for your DOT physical, we first collect your forms, including your medical examination report. This report provides us with a checklist of things we need to evaluate and record, such as your weight, height, and blood pressure.
Once we record these baselines, we review your medical history, and then we perform a physical exam.
We may also need to do some lab work, such as collecting urine for a urinalysis or blood for any tests you may need, such as blood sugar, if you have diabetes.
How quickly you can get medically certified for your CDL depends on the state of your current health. If you have any preexisting conditions, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or physical disability, the process might take a little longer, as there are more items to check and forms to fill out.
You can do your part to speed this along by making sure you come prepared with all the necessary forms filled out.
If you have more questions about your DOT exam or you’d like to schedule this visit, please contact us at our New York City office in Forest Hills, Queens. You can also visit our clinic during our hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday from 8am to 7pm as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
