WILMINGTON CHIROPRACTIC, INC.
DR. DEAN HOPPENRATH
309 W Baltimore Street
Wilmington, IL 60481
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815-412-1991
DOT Exam FAQ
With all the regulations that commercial drivers must keep up with, it is no wonder that misconceptions and fear arise when faced with obtaining a medical card to continue driving. Concerns and misinformation about weight, snoring medication, and blood pressure can cause a driver to put off his/her medical exam until the last possible moment. Below you will find answers to many of the most common questions that drivers have about the process.
01
How long is the medical card good for?
For most drivers, the card is good for 2 years from the date of your exam. However, many drivers with have conditions that warrent a shorter period. These include, but are not limited to, high blood pressuree, sleep apnea, some heart conditions, etc.
02
What should I wear?
You should wear loose fitting clothing such as a t-shirt and shorts/sweats. This will allow the doctor to perform the exam without you ever having to disrobe.
03
If I don't have insurance, can I still get a DOT exam?
Yes. You do not need medical insurance to get a DOT Physical. Insurance is not a part of our DOT Physical exam service. Payment for the exam is your responsibility at time of service.
04
How does being overweight affect my ability to pass the exam?
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Being overweight is not a restriction to passing the DOT Physical exam. It is the medical conditions that being overweight eventually leads to, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease, that may affect your ability to safely drive a commercial vehicle. That is what the DOT Physical exam will determine – whether you have any of these restrictive medical conditions.
05
What are the DOT blood pressure rules?
Here are the medical guidelines according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Note that employers are allowed to impose more stringent medical requirements.
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A driver with a BP of less than 140 systolic and less than 90 diastolic may be medically certified to drive for a two-year period.
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A driver with a BP of 140 – 159 systolic and /or a BP of 90-99 diastolic, has stage 1 hypertension, and may be medically certified to drive for a one-yearperiod. Certification examinations should be done annually thereafter and should be at or less than 140/90.
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A driver with a a BP of 160-179 systolic and/or a BP of 100-109 diastolic, has stage 2 hypertension, and is a candidate for antihypertensive drug therapy. The driver is given a one-time certification of three months to reduce his or her blood pressure to less than or equal to 140/90. Provided treatment is well tolerated and the driver demonstrates a BP value of 140/90 or less, he or she may be re-certified for one year from the date of the initial exam. The driver is certified annually thereafter.
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A driver with a BP at or greater than 180 systolic and / or 110 diastolic has stage 3 hypertension and is disqualified. The driver may not be qualified, even temporarily, until blood pressure is reduced to equal to or less than 140/90 and treatment is well tolerated. The driver may be certified for 6 months and biannually (every 6 months) thereafter if at recheck BP is equal to or less than 140/90.
Drivers with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease require treatment if their blood pressure rises above 130/80, since they already have a high risk of heart disease.