Federal guidelines mandate that anyone applying for a commercial drivers license must pass the Department of Transportation physical exam. The goal of this test is to determine whether an applicant is fit enough to drive safely at the present time as well as in the foreseeable future.

Passing the exam successfully means you have 24 months before you need to do it again. On the other hand, in certain cases, this period might be shortened in case that serious health problems could appear in the future.

Health Requirements

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

• Vision in both eyes, as well as each eye individually, need to be 20/40, with visual improvement devices, such as glasses or contacts allowed.
• Needs to be able to distinguish colors found on traffic signals.
• Hearing needs to be good enough to notice a forced whisper at a minimum distance of 5 feet.
• Maximum allowable blood pressure is 160/100. Use of prescription medication to achieve this threshold is permitted.
• Cannot have diabetes that requires insulin injections; diabetes controlled through a diet or oral medication is permitted.
• Your blood sugar level must be at most 200.
• Use of schedule 1 drugs is strictly disallowed.
• If you are currently diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease such as congestive cardiac failure, collapse or cardiac insufficiency, then you will be required to provide the Medical Examiner with a stress test as well as with a note from your physician which states that you are capable of driving a commercial motor vehicle without restrictions.

California Privacy R. Request

California Opt-Out