What is a DOT Medical Card, and Who Needs One?
A DOT medical card is a certification provided by a qualified and registered DOT medical examiner that says you are physically and mentally capable of safely operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Getting a medical certificate is not just unnecessary red tape. Every time you get in your truck, you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others on the road. Trucking is an essential and demanding profession. Drivers must be physically and mentally fit to deal with the long hours, stress, and high stakes of commercial driving.
A DOT medical card is required for:
- Any driver with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) operating a vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds, transporting hazardous waste, or transporting nine passengers or more.
- Any commercial driver transporting goods across state lines
- Some non-CDL drivers in certain jobs, such as bigger delivery truck drivers, tow truck drivers, and certain construction vehicle operators.
A DOT medical certificate valid for up to two years. To renew it, you’ll need to have a new exam every two years.
How Do You Get a DOT Medical Certificate?
To get a DOT medical card, you must make an appointment with a DOT examiner. The medical professional must be on the FCMSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). When you go in for your appointment, you must bring your driver’s license (or another photo ID), previous medical certificate, a list of medications you are taking, and documents from your doctor for any notable diagnoses, such as diabetes or a heart condition.
As part of the exam, the doctor will test your hearing, vision, and blood pressure and take a urine sample. The urinalysis is a health screening, not a drug test. The doctor will look for things like protein and sugar in the urine. They will also do a general physical screening to evaluate your heart, lungs, and mental health.
If you pass your medical exam, you will receive a DOT medical certificate valid for up to two years. If you have a medical condition, you may receive a certificate for less than two years or be asked to return for more testing. If you do not pass the medical exam, you might be required to undergo a treatment process before being reevaluated and receiving a certificate.
Fraudulent DOT Medical Cards
Unfortunately, some drivers choose to get fake medical cards online instead of passing an exam with a registered examiner. There are also doctors who wrongfully dispense medical certificates without conducting a full evaluation for their own personal gain.
In 2017, a medical examiner in Georgia was sentenced to prison time for falsifying DOT medical examinations.1 At a 24-hour truck stop outside of Atlanta, drivers from all over the country would stop to see “Dr.Tony.” They could walk out of the office in less than ten minutes with a DOT medical card. They didn’t have to pass any of the usual tests, and even drivers with underlying medical conditions were issued certificates without further tests or questions.
The FCMSA rescinded over 600 medical cards for drivers who had obtained their certificate from Dr. Tony.
The FMCSA also considers it fraud for drivers to lie about health conditions or deliberately omit information during their medical exams to obtain a medical certificate.
Using a fake DOT medical card can put yourself and others at risk and have serious consequences for you and your company.
Consequences of Using a Fake DOT Medical Certificate
If you are caught using a fake DOT medical card, the FMCSA can fine you, revoke your CDL, and you’ll most likely lose your job. The same penalties apply if the FMCSA finds out you lied about your health to get a medical card.
Legal Consequences
- The FMCSA can impose fines of up to $10,000 for fake medical cards.
- If fraud or identity theft is involved, you could face felony charges and prison time.
- If an accident occurs while driving with a fake DOT medical card, you could be liable for any damages. Your employer might also face serious lawsuits, especially if a medical condition contributed to the accident.
License Suspension
If you are caught with a fake DOT medical card, your license will be temporarily suspended at the least and potentially permanently revoked.
Career Consequences
Getting caught using a fake or fraudulent medical card could end your career.
- Most companies have a zero-tolerance policy for fraud, and likely would terminate you.
- If you are caught with a fake medical certificate, the FMCSA records the violation, and it would be challenging to find another job.
How the FMCSA Catches Fake Medical Cards
The FMCSA has been attempting to crack down on fraud and fake medical cards. They can verify valid medical certificates in a few ways.
- Employers and the FMCSA can randomly audit driver medical certificates by verifying the cards against the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME).
- Police officers can scan medical cards and cross-check records during routine roadside stops.
- Because employers can be held liable for drivers with false medical cards, companies regularly verify medical certificates with the issuing examiner and the NRCME.
Taking the High Road
Yes, your ability to continue to drive commercially does depend on whether or not you pass your DOT physical exam. If you have recent changes in your health, you may have concerns about being able to pass the exam. However, illegally getting a fake medical card has the potential to cause you more harm to your career than many medical conditions.
Talk with your doctor about your symptoms. There may be treatment options that will allow you to manage them and continue driving. This approach keeps you healthier and everyone on the road safer.
1https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/36024
