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DOT Physical Near San Francisco & Oakland, CA

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Getting Your DOT Medical Card In San Francisco and Oakland

If you’ve had concerns about taking your DOT physical examination or getting a renewal, don’t worry. The process is easy. Here are some frequently asked questions about the DOT medical exam.

What Do CDL, DOT, And CMV Stand For?

CDL-Commercial Driver’s License: All commercial drivers need a CDL before they can drive a CMV. 

DOT- Department of Transportation: The agency tasked with ensuring safe transportation. They regulate CDL drivers.

CMV-Commercial Motor Vehicle: Vehicles that transport passengers or property and meet criteria like weighing at least 10,001 pounds, transporting 8 paying passengers, transporting more than 15 non-paying passengers, or carrying hazardous materials.

What Is A DOT Medical Card In San Francisco and Oakland?

The DOT medical card is proof that you passed the CDL physical exam and are healthy enough to drive safely.

Why Do I Need To Pass A DOT Physical To Drive?

The size, load capacity, speed, and sometimes hazardous cargo make commercial vehicles more dangerous on public roads. In an accident, they could cause more damage and hurt more people than a private passenger vehicle.

The DOT needs commercial vehicle operators to meet a high health standard for public safety.

What Does The DOT Exam Look For?

Your DOT medical examiner has one goal: to weed out potential drivers with medical conditions that:

  1. Pose a threat to other drivers
  2. Are not controlled by medication or lifestyle

What Kinds Of Medical Conditions Disqualify Me From A CDL Job?

Fortunately, the majority of medical conditions are manageable. Some notable exceptions include:

  • Epilepsy- The patient suffers seizures or times when they are no longer aware of their surroundings. While there are medical interventions, they aren’t foolproof and often work to make episodes shorter and less severe rather than stop them from happening.
  • Narcolepsy- An extreme tendency to fall asleep, sometimes without warning.
  • Uncontrolled Mental Health Condition- Individuals suffering from severe depression with suicidal thoughts, or those with psychosis should seek medical attention before getting a DOT physical exam. 
  • Uncontrolled Heart Disease- Dangerously atypical heart rhythms, inefficient blood flow, a history of heart attacks, etc.

Do They Do A DOT Drug Screening In San Francisco and Oakland?

A DOT drug test is not part of the DOT physical. You will provide a urine sample for the medical examiner to perform a urinalysis. This demonstrates if there is excessive protien, blood, or sugar in your urine. The urinalysis does not test for marijuana, narcotics, or other medications.  

However, CDL drivers may undergo drug testing in the following circumstances:

  • When applying for work (pre-employment)
  • As part of the DOT-mandated random drug testing protocol
  • After accidents or injuries to prove you were sober at the time of the incident
  • If you give your employer reason to suspect you’re using on the job

How Do I Find A DOT Medical Examiner And Drug Test Near Me?

Team CME makes it easy by networking with DOT providers around the country. Use our locator tool to find a “DOT physical near me in San Francisco and Oakland” or “CDL medical card near me.”