It is mandated by federal guidelines that every commercial diver passes the DOT physical exam. The purpose of this exam is to determine whether a potential driver is fit enough to drive safely now and in the foreseeable future.

Successfully passing the exam usually means you have 24 months before you need to do it again. However, in certain instances, this period might be decreased if serious health issues might appear in the future.

Health Requirements

The basic requirements for passing a DOT physical exam are:

• Need to have 20/40 correctable vision in each eye as well as both combined. Vision correction devices such as glasses or contacts are allowed.
• Ability to distinguish color is necessary.
• Hearing needs to be good enough to notice a forced whisper at a minimum distance of 5 feet.
• Blood pressure must be under 160/100. Prescription medication to control blood pressure is allowed.
• Cannot have diabetes that requires insulin injections; diabetes controlled through a diet or oral medication is permitted.
• Your blood sugar level must be less than 200.
• No use of a Schedule 1 drug, amphetamine, narcotic or any habit forming drug is allowed.
• In case you are currently diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease such as collapse, congestive cardiac failure or cardiac insufficiency, then you will be required to provide the Medical Examiner with a stress test along with a note from your physician stating that you are able to drive a commercial motor vehicle with no restrictions.

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