What to Expect at Your DOT Physical

Physicals tend to be the last thing on the to-do list, especially when you’re so busy working you forget or lack the time to make an appointment. At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our team performs DOT physicals without a long wait. 

Preparing for your physical can help things go smoothly. Here’s what to expect at your DOT physical. 

Preparing for the DOT physical

Though similar to your annual physical in many ways, the DOT physical is a bit different. In order to fully evaluate your health and make sure you can safely drive a commercial vehicle, we need some health information from you.

We need you to bring the following to the exam:

• Government-issued ID (driver’s license)
• Completed official DOT medical exam forms
• List of prescription medications
• Eyeglasses, if you wear them for work
• Hearing aids, if you use them

You should also bring in any recent lab work or doctor’s report if you have a health condition that requires ongoing medical care, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. 

What to expect

The DOT physical is a thorough exam and includes many of the same tests as an annual physical. We review your medical history and the types of medications you take. We check your vision and hearing, height and weight, and blood pressure and heart rate.

We also collect urine for a urinalysis to screen for health conditions. We then do the physical part of the exam, checking your skin, muscles, joints, and reflexes. We also palpate your internal organs and listen to your heart and lungs.

A typical DOT exam takes about 45-60 minutes. 

After the DOT physical

Once we complete the evaluation, we determine if you meet the health standards to safely drive your commercial vehicle and, if so, issue a medical certificate.

If we don’t have all the health data we need or we think you need to see a specialist — such as an eye doctor for glasses — we make recommendations for follow-up care. We may not issue your medical certificate until we have all of the additional health data to make a proper assessment.

A medical certificate for the DOT exam is good for two years. However, we may recommend more frequent exams if you have a medical condition that would benefit from ongoing  monitoring. 

Do you need to renew your medical certificate? Are you trying to get a job as a bus driver? The team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland can perform the DOT physical you need to work. Call our office in Midland, Michigan, today at 989-756-0055 or book an appointment online.