What is DOT certification? DOT certification is a requirement set by the US Department of Transportation. It shows that a driver is able to drive safely in certain job categories, such as driving and operating private and public commercial motor vehicles. When applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a driver is required to have DOT certification.
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In order to get a commercial driver’s license, most people must first get their DOT certification. For drivers to be considered DOT certified, they will have to complete a set of driving tests that help figure out how safe they are at driving. Drivers are also required to pass a physical exam.
Requirements for DOT Certification
The requirements for DOT certification include a physical exam and a test for the driver. The purpose of the physical exams is to find out if a person is physically fit enough to drive a commercial motor vehicle. They also find out if a person has any conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, or any other illness that was there before. If a test comes back positive, there may be consequences. If a driver fails a DOT physical, they could be pushed out of the business. In some situations, drivers may have to go through more tests. The basic test requirements and how to get DOT certification include:
- Test of hearing
- Vision test
- Blood pressure
- Breathing and lungs
- Reflex checks
- Neurological testing
- Testing the urine
How to get DOT certification
Getting a DOT certification is straightforward, but many drivers can be overwhelmed by the rules. First, only licensed medical examiners can do DOT physicals. These people are on the National Registry of the FMCSA. These licensed medical examiners can be doctors of medicine, osteopathy, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, or chiropractors. A DOT certification is good for 24 months, but if a driver has a condition that needs to be watched, like high blood pressure or diabetes, the medical examiner may give the driver a shorter certification.
Hearing tests are also part of a DOT certification. The test finds out how far away someone can hear a whisper. Audiometry is another way to measure how well someone can hear different frequencies. The driver’s health and appearance will also be looked at during a physical exam. The physical exam includes a full medical checkup and a detailed look at how the body works. It’s important that all DOT physical exams are done the way the DOT says to do them.
DOT medical card
There are strict rules for getting a DOT medical card. This document shows that you are in good enough shape to drive a commercial vehicle. This card also needs a medical exam, which will be done by a certified medical examiner. This test will find out about your basic health, such as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Certified Medical Examiners are the ones who give out DOT medical cards. To get DOT certification, applicants must meet the minimum requirements for a DOT medical card and pass the physical.
You must first fill out an application form to get a DOT medical card. You’ll need to give information about your current health and medical history, as well as a list of all the medicines you’re taking.
Once you get your card, it’s good for 24 months. If you need to, you can also get a medical card exemption to avoid being automatically disqualified. Your medical card should be up to date when you renew your licensing.
How to Get a Medical Card
To get a DOT medical card, you have to go through a DOT physical exam. Here, you will be given a medical exam and asked a few questions about your health history. You will also have your blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse checked. Once you pass the first DOT medical exam, a certificate and DOT medical card will show that you are physically fit to drive a commercial vehicle.
Be ready because the DOT physical exam will include a thorough review of your medical history. You will have your blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, eyesight, and hearing checked. You will also have to pass a urinalysis, which checks for sugar and protein in your urine, among other things. The physical exam will also look at how you look in general. You should plan to spend a few hours on the test. If you pass the test, you’ll be able to drive commercial vehicles right away.
- The DOT physical is good for 24 months after it has been approved, but medical providers can certify drivers less than 24 months later. Heart disease, diabetes, and sleep problems are common among drivers and a reason for issuing certificates for a lessor period.
- A DOT physical exam is a requirement for anyone wishing to obtain a commercial driver's license. In order to qualify for this test, an individual must have a valid driver's license, and not have any record of accidents on their record.
- When the exam is passed, the doctor's office will include the DOT medical card in the CDL application fee. You should put the certificate in your file for driver qualifications. Even though it's not required when your motor vehicle report (MVR) is updated, you should still keep your certificate in your DQ file.
- To become a commercial driver, you have to get a physical exam from a medical examiner who is certified by the DOT. The person doing the exam must be on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
- Before you can become a commercial driver, you must also pass a few other tests required by the DOT. Your vision must be 20/40 or better. If you have trouble seeing, you can get a prescription for glasses or contacts to help you see better.
DOT physical conditions that disqualify
If you want to get your DOT certification, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about your current health problems. Before you give information to the FMCSA, your treating doctor will need to look at your current health. If you don’t do this, you won’t be able to get DOT certification. Some things that would make a driver ineligible to drive are:
- Vision loss
- Loss-of-hearing
- Neurological conditions like epilepsy or other seizures that can't be controlled
- Diseases of the heart
- Problems with breathing
- Blood pressure that's too high or uncontrolled
- Use of Marijuana
The DOT physical includes a thorough look at your medical history and a normal urine test. A routine urinalysis is also part of the DOT physical. This is NOT a drug test, but rather a way to see if you have blood sugar or protein in your urine. If you pass the test, you’ll get a DOT certification that’s good for two years.
Going through a DOT inspection
In theory, it should not be hard to pass a DOT inspection. Before you go on a trip, make sure your truck is in good shape. Check it before and after each trip to make sure it’s working right. You can also pass a DOT inspection if you do regular maintenance and safety checks. Keep your equipment clean and properly loaded, and make sure the name of your company and the USDOT number are easy to see.
A DOT inspection is an important requirement for commercial drivers, especially when the driver needs to be DOT certified. The inspection, which can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes, will be done by a licensed DOT inspector. If your truck passes a DOT inspection, you won’t have to pay fines that are too high. Most violations can be fixed, but if you don’t make it, you could be taken out of service.
Conclusion
DOT certification is a requirement for all commercial drivers. In order to secure a commercial driver license, all applicants must pass a DOT medical exam from a registered health care provider. Once the exam is complete, the applicant must have their application submitted to the DOT.
References
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners | FMCSA. (n.d.). National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners | FMCSA; www.fmcsa.dot.gov. Retrieved from https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/national-registry/national-registry-certified-medical-examiners
Federal Register :: Request Access. (n.d.). Federal Register :: Request Access; www.ecfr.gov.Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.41
