Core Medicine of Idaho Explains What to Expect During Your DOT Physical Exam
If you work in transportation or logistics, you can’t always get around going to the doctor. However, state and federal laws require certain commercial vehicle drivers to obtain routine physicals every 24 months. Although most U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) exams only take a half-hour to complete, scheduling an appointment isn’t always easy—especially for Idahoans who make their livelihood over the road.
Don’t let stress get the best of you. Core Medicine of Idaho offers fast, affordable, and convenient DOT physical exams, all performed by experienced medical professionals. Read more to learn what to expect during your test, or contact us today to schedule your physical at a time that works best for you.
Do I Need a DOT Physical Exam? ![DOT-physicals-in-caldwell-idaho]()
The DOT medical exam is essential to your commercial vehicle certification. So you’re required to follow through on regular physicals if you:
- Drive a bus designed to carry 15 or more people
- Get paid to operate a vehicle designed to carry eight or more people
- Transport certain types of hazardous cargo
- Operate a semi-truck or another large vehicle that weighs 10,000 pounds or more
Most DOT physical examinations are conducted by private medical practitioners at hospitals, doctor’s offices, and urgent care clinics. They’re fairly quick—lasting between 30 and 45 minutes on average—but you may need some advance preparation to pass.
What to Expect from a DOT Physical
DOT physical examinations are designed to assess whether drivers are healthy enough to operate large motor vehicles on public roadways. The DOT sets a predictable format for most exams, and most include the following distinct components.
Vision Test
You’re typically asked to sit about 10 feet away from a letter-filled chart. Each line of the chart will have one or more letters, with each line decreasing in size toward the bottom. You’ll be asked to read off letters or words until your visual acuity can be assessed, with scores ranging from 20/200 to 20/10. In most cases, you need at least 20/40 vision to pass the DOT vision exam.
Hearing Test
For this component, you’ll need to be able to hear a “forced whisper” from 5 feet away. During this test, the examiner will whisper words or sequences of random numbers, asking you to repeat what you hear. If you use hearing aids, you’ll be allowed to use them during this test.
Blood Pressure Test
This is used to determine if you have any medical conditions, such as abnormally high or low blood pressure, that could make operating a motor vehicle dangerous.
Urinalysis
Urine tests are a routine part of every DOT physical. They’re used to screen your kidneys for serious medical conditions—not marijuana or other drugs.
General Physical Examination
Your medical practitioner will also conduct a routine physical examination, checking the function of your:
- Mouth and throat
- Lungs and chest
- Limbs
- Skeletal structure
If they notice any irregularities, you may be referred for further testing.
What to Bring to a DOT Physical in Caldwell
You don’t need to make any extensive preparations before coming to a DOT physical, but you’ll most likely need to bring:
- Your doctors’ names and addresses.
- A list of all the prescription medications you take.
- Reports detailing any conditions you’ve been diagnosed with, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, or a cardiac abnormality.
Your DOT physical examination is supposed to determine whether you’re fit to operate a commercial vehicle, which means that you shouldn’t try to conceal or hide any potential sources of concern. Many limitations, like poor hearing or below-average eyesight, won’t automatically disqualify you. Instead, be honest, and don’t be afraid to bring along your hearing aids or eyeglasses—they’re allowed, and they’ll help you perform better on your test.
Don’t Delay: Contact Core Medicine of Idaho Today
You don’t have to spend days, weeks, or months waiting for an appointment to open at the doctor’s office. Core Medicine of Idaho’s experienced team of medical professionals is trained and authorized to conduct DOT physicals—and we do it at a reasonable cost and without the long wait times you’d face in a regional hospital or big Boise-area clinic.