Your Go-To Destination for DOT Physicals in Chicago.
Comprehensive medical evaluation conducted by a certified medical examiner to assess a driver's physical and mental fitness.
DOT Physical Examination
What Is a DOT Physical?
A DOT medical exam is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a certified medical examiner to assess a driver’s physical and mental fitness.
This examination, mandated by the Department of Transportation, covers various aspects of health, including vision, hearing, blood pressure, and overall well-being. Ensuring you meet the DOT medical exam requirements is vital for both your safety and the safety of others on the road.
How Much is a DOT Physical?
- The cost is $99, and we accept cash, credit/debit cards, and Apple Pay.
- If you are a student at a local CDL school, we have a discounted rate available for your medical card & pre-employment drug test. Call today to find out more!
What Happens During a DOT Physical?
- When you come in, you will be asked to fill out a two page Medical Examination Report Form. The examiner will use this form to review your medical history, including any chronic conditions, surgeries, medications, and past illnesses.
- You will also be asked to provide a urine sample. This is used to check for underlying health issues, such as diabetes or kidney problems. This is NOT a drug test.
- Then, we will test your vision and hearing & measure your blood pressure, pulse, and weight.
- Next, we will conduct a thorough physical examination, checking 14 different body systems.
- If everything is satisfactory, you will receive a copy of your exam and two copies of your medical certificate.
- If during the exam we uncover anything unusual, we may request additional tests or a clearance letter from your doctor.
Why Choose Us For Your Medical Card Renewal?
- When it comes to DOT physicals, we understand they may not be the most enjoyable experience. At DOTDOC, we strive to make your physical exam stress-free and comfortable.
- Our FMCSA certified medical examiner (https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/home) will explain everything you need to know before and during the exam to understand your health status and where you stand.
- We offer on-time appointments to get you in and out and back on the road, not sitting for hours in a waiting room.
- For your convenience, we offer same-day-appointments AND accept walk-ins.
- Our office is driver-friendly, with parking for tractor-trailers across the street.
- We save you time by submitting your new medical card to your state’s DMV (when allowed by issuing state).
- We want to keep you compliant and on the road- if you have medical issues, discuss them with us ahead of time so that you are exam ready.
For Safety Managers and Corporate Accounts
- Are you tired of your drivers waiting for hours at primary/emergency/urgent care centers for their physicals or drug tests?
- Do you want excellent service at a fair price?
- Is your company located in the Chicago metropolitan area?
- If yes, contact us today to discuss how we can save you time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Need To Bring To My DOT Physical?
- You will need to bring additional paperwork if you have certain medical conditions. Please look at the Condition Checklist Document for some examples of conditions and necessary documentation.
- Generally, if you take medication, bring a list with the names, dosage & frequency as well as the name of the prescribing doctor.
- If you wear glasses or corrective lenses, make sure you have them with you.
- If you have Sleep Apnea, please bring your Compliance Report showing usage over the last 3 months.
- If you have recently completed a SAP program, please provide a completion letter and the most recent negative test result.
What May Cause Me To Fail The DOT Physical?
- Below is a general answer. You may want to refer to the FMCSA rules & regulations for your specific condition (49 CFR 391.41) link here.
- Some reasons a driver may not qualify for their medical card include:
- The driver has poor vision or poor hearing.
- The driver’s blood pressure is over 180/110 mmHg.
- The driver has a history of epilepsy and/or seizures.
- The driver has an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator).
- The driver uses a Schedule I drug or substance or any other habit-forming drug.
- The driver has a respiratory dysfunction such as emphysema, chronic asthma, carcinoma, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis or sleep apnea.
- The driver has a Cardiovascular condition such as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis or any other cardiovascular disease known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse or congestive heart failure.
- Some conditions will require you to see a specialist for further evaluation or management before you can get your card. Some drivers may qualify for a medical variance from FMCSA in the form of a skill performance evaluation certificate (SPE).
- In many cases, a disqualifying condition that is managed will NOT prevent you from getting your card. If you have any questions about your specific condition, please call us ahead of time.
What Is “Determination Pending”?
- Determination pending is a status the driver gets put in when the medical examiner needs additional information in order to make a final certification decision.
- The examiner may allow up to 45 days for the driver to return the requested information. If it is not returned in time, a new exam will be required for certification.
How Long Is My DOT Medical Card Good For?
- This depends on the individual. At most, the medical card is good for 2 years. If you have a condition that needs to be monitored, you may be issued a medical certificate for less than 2 years.
What Happens If My Card Gets Lost Or Damaged?
If you got your exam at our office, just give us a call or send an e-mail requesting another copy and we will provide it free of charge. If you got your exam somewhere else, call that office to find out what you need to do.
Does A DOT Physical Include A Drug Test?
Drug testing is NOT part of a standard DOT Physical exam, but your company may request to have drug-alcohol testing done at the same time.
You will be asked for a urine sample for testing. Again, this is not a drug test but a screen for diabetes, kidney or liver problems, or UTIs.
What our clients are saying
“Dr. Jenn was extremely nice and went above and beyond to help me figure out everything I needed for my drug and physical exams. I was a walk-in and was attended to right away. The whole testing process was fast and easy. The office was clean and very well organized. Overall, it was a very good experience.”
“Had a pleasant and smooth appointment here. Had to come out here on short notice for my day off work. Had an appointment 2 hrs from when I originally called. Thanks 👍”
Awesome service, was able to schedule an appointment over the phone that fit into my schedule perfectly, was given an answer to every question I had, highly recommend stopping by here if you’re in of a DOT physical”
Additional DOT Services
DOT Drug Testing
DOT drug tests are screenings mandated by the Department of Transportation for employees in safety-sensitive positions. They assess employees for the presence of prohibited substances.
DOT Breath Alcohol Testing
DOT Breath Alcohol tests are mandatory screenings to measure the alcohol content in an individual's breath. These tests are required for employees in safety-sensitive positions to ensure they are not under the influence of alcohol while on duty.
Consortium
We provide consortium services for DOT regulated companies and independent drivers, ensuring you maintain compliance with DOT drug and alcohol random testing requirements.