DOT Physicals in California

Getting Your DOT Medical Card in California

Have you wondered what society would do if commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) quit running? Gas stations often need two fuel trucks daily to supply the demand in their neighborhoods. They would shut down, but only after prices skyrocket. Days later, all gas-fueled traffic would stop, leaving people stranded or stuck at home.

Hospitals need a constant supply of concentrated oxygen, medicines, and supplies. Patients would die or go without adequate care. Banks would run out of cash and stop processing transactions. Bank shutdowns would cause panic and riots.

By the end of day two, grocery stores would be out of essentials like bread, milk, and water. Pharmacies couldn’t get life-preserving medications like insulin. Garbage bags would stack up with no one to take them away. Schools and businesses would shut down because people couldn’t get there. 

Truck drivers keep our country running. They help us stay connected, working, clothed, and fed. CDL drivers do all this while accepting personal risk. Commercial vehicles are inherently dangerous because of their unusual weight and size, heavy loads, and flammable contents like gasoline.

Due to the dangerous nature of driving these vehicles, the DOT requires truckers to work at a higher standard of health. All truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license and a DOT medical card to drive CMVs in our communities.

Having a DOT medical card in California proves that the CDL driver meets DOT health standards. The exam takes 30-45 minutes and is generally valid for two years, though there are exceptions for people with health conditions that need more frequent monitoring.

A health issue doesn’t usually exclude an operator from employment. Your CDL medical examiner must verify that your health issues won’t interfere with your driving. For a successful DOT medical exam, try the following tips:

Pre-existing Conditions: Bring your medical records to the DOT exam. If you’re seeing a specialist, get their written approval ahead of time to expedite things. Otherwise, multiple appointments may be necessary. You need to prove you control your health through lifestyle and medication and that your condition won’t endanger the public.

Adaptive Devices: Bring your glasses, contacts, hearing aids, and other devices to your appointment so your DOT doctor can verify your prescription is still adequate. Hearing and sight issues worsen over time, but if the decline has been gradual, you may not have noticed it.

Location: Team CME has made finding a local certified clinic easy. Our locator helps you find a “DOT physical in California” or “CDL medical exam near me.”