The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires anyone who drives for a living to pass a physical exam before getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL). If you need a DOT physical, visit Katrina Gary-Forté, PhD, at Trade It In in Houston, Texas. Dr. McCrary is a licensed, registered examiner with years of experience performing DOT physicals. Call Trade It In to arrange your DOT physical or book an appointment via the online form.
DOT physicals are medical tests required by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Anyone who operates a vehicle for their job must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To qualify for a CDL, you need to pass a medical assessment that clears you to drive.
Only licensed examiners on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry, like Dr. McCrary at Trade It In, can perform DOT physicals.
DOT physicals cover all the aspects of your health that could adversely affect your ability to drive safely. During your DOT physical exam, Dr. McCrary looks for signs of serious conditions that might impact your driving, including:
Your vision must be at least 20/40 to pass your DOT physical, with 70 peripheral vision in the horizontal. You should also be able to hear a “forced whisper” from five feet away. You can wear corrective lenses or hearing aid if you need them to pass this test.
You’ll get a health history questionnaire when you arrange your DOT physical. Fill it out before your visit and bring a complete list of all your medications, including the dose, frequency, who prescribed it, and why.
If you have diabetes, bring your blood sugar log to your DOT physical. Make sure it has a recent hemoglobin A1C (HgAIC) test result. People with heart problems must ask their cardiologist to write a letter with details of their condition that confirms the patient is safe to drive.
If you wear contact lenses, glasses, or a hearing aid, bring those with you to your DOT physical for the sight and hearing parts of your exam.
When your DOT physical is complete, Dr. McCrary compares your results with the FMCSA requirements to determine if you qualify for a CDL. If you do, she issues a medical examiner’s certificate that’s valid for up to two years.
If you have a positive DOT drug test, you need to work with a qualified DOT-approved substance abuse professional (SAP). Dr. Gary-Forté is a SAP who can perform a substance use evaluation, review your circumstances, and recommend education, treatment, or both.
To arrange your DOT physical, contact Trade It In today or book an appointment online.