DOT Physicals in Illinois
Getting A DOT Medical Card Near Me In Illinois
Working as a truck driver is challenging, but your job is essential to our national economy and quality of life. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers keep grocery shelves stocked and supply construction materials for buildings, and deliver hazardous materials out of cities to safe disposal sites.
CDL jobs can be risky due to the gross weight and the size of the vehicle. Commercial drivers have to meet a minimum standard of health to qualify for work to ensure everyone’s safety. You need a commercial driver’s license and a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card to operate commercial vehicles.
What Is A DOT Medical Card?
DOT medical cards proves you passed the physical. While accidents happen in both private and commercial vehicles, mass casualties are more likely in commercial vehicles. Employers don’t want to hire an individual with epilepsy or someone who will fall asleep while driving due to narcolepsy.
To make certain all truck drivers meet the minimum standard, they are required to have a DOT physical (sometimes called a DOT medical exam) at least every two years. The medical card shows they passed that exam.
How Do I Get A DOT Medical Card Near Me In Illinois?
If you’re looking for a “DOT physical near me,” you can search for a location online or check our website locator. For your convenience, Team CME has put together a large network of DOT physical exam locations, including those in Illinois. Local offices mean more convenience for you and quicker turnaround times. Let’s get you through the exam and back on the road as soon as possible.
What Should I Expect At My DOT Exam in Illinois?
Through the physical exam, the medical examiner screens CDL drivers for physical conditions that could impede safe driving, like hearing or sight problems, sleep disorders, epilepsy, etc.
A urinalysis will test the urine for excessive protien, blood, or sugar. The urinalysis does not test for marijuana, narcotics, or other medications. DOT urine test, also part of the exam, will screen drivers for illicit substance use.
A potential employer can request that a pre-employment drug test be performed at the same time as the DOT physical exam. CDL driver should expect additional drug testing when:
- As part of a DOT-required random drug test.
- Immediately following any accident or injury (to ensure that you were driving sober)
- If your employer has a reasonable suspicion that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.
If you test positive for drugs, or refuse to submit to drug screening, it is reported to the national clearinghouse and you will not be able to drive a CMV until you have completed a substance abuse program (SAP) and then obtain a new DOT medical card.
What Do I Do To Prepare?
- To have plenty of time to fill out paperwork, arrive 15 minutes early.
- Bring your adaptive devices such as glasses, hearing aids, etc.
- To review ongoing medical conditions, bring your medical records.
- For proper identification, bring your driver’s license or other form of photo ID.