It is mandated by federal guidelines that all commercial drivers pass the Department of Transportation physical exam. The purpose of this test is to check whether an applicant is physically capable of driving safely now and in the near future.

Passing the exam successfully usually means you have 24 months before you need to do it again, unless you have some health issue which might become worse in the future, in which case you’ll have to take the exam sooner.

Health Requirements

Below are the basic requirements for passing the DOT physical exam.

• With or without vision corrections, each eye, as well as both eyes combined, need to have 20/40 vision.
• 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 may be employed to control blood pressure.
• An applicant can have diabetes which is controlled through diet or medication. Diabetes controlled through insulin injections is not permitted.
• The maximum level of blood sugar an applicant is allowed to have is 200.
• No use of a Schedule 1 drug, amphetamine, narcotic or any habit forming drug is permitted.
• In case you are currently diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease such as congestive cardiac failure, collapse or cardiac insufficiency, then you will have to present the Medical Examiner with a stress test as well as with a note from your physician which states that you are able to drive a commercial motor vehicle with no restrictions.

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