With all the news about DOT inspectors putting trucks and truckers out of service, let’s take a look at one that a truck driver has the most control over (other than his flip flops.) DOT regulations about medical cards is a simple set of requirements, but some truckers aren’t following the DOT medical card requirements.
Your paperwork is only half of it. Read our guide to preparing your truck for the CVSA Roadcheck as well.
A DOT medical card is the certificate a medical examiner issues after a DOT physical, showing that a commercial driver is healthy enough to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. It is also called a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876). The certification must be on file with the state, or the CDL will be downgraded and the trucker loses the ability to drive commercially. Delays in renewing a trucker’s medical card can also cause problems. Tracking a trucker’s medical card is a wise choice to avoid problems, particularly during an inspection.
CDL and DOT Medical Card
Because states issue commercial driver’s licenses (not the federal government), your state’s process may vary. But in general, a medical examination and card is needed to get the CDL in all states. The government wants some kind of check that a trucker is in condition to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle. So a medical evaluation is required.
Allen Campbell, our in-house trucker and former fleet owner, told this story:
Back in the 90s, when we had a trucker who needed a DOT medical card, we sent them to the truck stop up the road. A chiropractor worked there and would give the trucker an examination and then the medical card.
At a truck stop? No, that doesn’t sound sketchy at all, does it? 🤦🏼♂️
(The statute of limitations applies, right?)
But that was 30 years ago. Looking at the process now, it’s more structured and automated – which may lead to problems.
States and Feds
Every state has their own requirements. This blogpost isn’t written to cover every state’s regulations. We recommend anyone with an interest in DOT medicals contact their state’s Department of Transportation.
Examination by a Certified Medical Examiner
Getting a commercial driver’s license requires a medical examination. How would a trucker find a certified medical examiner? The FMCSA website provides the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners – a website where the trucker enters the ZIP code and a list of professionals is provided. Of the first ten listed, about half are either currently not accepting patients or no longer has the certification to authorize a DOT medical card. Even with 50% not available, finding someone within 20 miles wasn’t hard. Most of them were attached to an Urgent Care or a hospital. The government provides a 76-page training manual and testing to be sure that the examiner is competent and knows what to look for.
According to Bing, the examination includes:
- Vision and Hearing: Drivers must have a minimum vision of 20/40 in each eye, with or without correction, and the ability to hear a forced whisper from at least five feet away. 1
- Blood Pressure and Heart Health: High blood pressure can lead to disqualification, especially if not managed. Drivers should aim for a reading below 140/90 mm Hg. 1
- Diabetes: Drivers with insulin-treated diabetes must submit an Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form (MCSA-5870) completed by a treating clinician. 1
- Urinalysis: This test checks for underlying health issues, such as diabetes and kidney disease. 1
- Additional Health Assessments: These include checks for respiratory function, neurological health, and musculoskeletal fitness. 1
The examination is designed to catch potential problems before they can cause a catastrophe on the highway. It is a comprehensive review that dives into specific health areas directly tied to the ability to drive safely. 1 2 Sources
Chronic Illness Management
Diabetes and cardiac disease (heart disease) isn’t an automatic off-the-road condition. If chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart conditions are well managed with medication or diet, these are not reasons to be banned from driving a commercial vehicle. A medical examiner will need to know specific treatment details and may require additional testing.
FMCSA – The S stands for Safety
The news has been full of reports about truckers being pulled off the road for a variety of reasons. In this case, it is about safety. The DOT medical card requirements are in place to protect drivers – commercial and non-professional – from people who put other drivers at risk. So when a technical problem with a medical card is the reason for a trucker to be pulled off, it’s especially frustrating.
According to That DOT Cop on YouTube, a paper copy may be important – or useless.
Yes, that’s confusing. The complication is based on implementation of a national database for DOT medical card data. The government now requires that a trucker’s data must be uploaded to this database. (The medical examiner is required to upload their records daily.) So a paper card isn’t important because it’s supposed to be in the system.
But what happens when it isn’t? Or the data isn’t perfectly matched? Or the trucker’s state isn’t using the new system yet?
Caught between the systems?
Trouble is what can happen. Truckers have been ordered off the road because of technical issues. When the state and federal databases don’t have the current or correct information, it’s the driver that faces the consequences. The CDL and med card are tied together. It’s critical that they align and show up in the database.
We agree, that’s not always fair. But there are ways for a trucker to check what their status in the system is. Going to the FMCSA database and checking their own status is a simple process to be sure that the data has been uploaded accurately and completely to the federal database. Sometimes the paper card isn’t enough.
- When a fleet manager doesn’t handle the med card data correctly.
- Some states don’t require a med card for intra-state drivers (drivers who only drive in their state and don’t cross state lines).
- Old restrictions are still attached to the CDL and aren’t updated.
According to the FMCSA, the driver is responsible for the medical certification status – not the examiner, not the fleet manager.
For the independent owner-operator, this is just one thing to track in running a trucking business. That’s why taking a minute or two to check the federal database is a simple way to create peace of mind and prevent tech issues. Using a total trucking management system will help manage the medical card reminders and more.
DOT Medical Card FAQ
What is a DOT medical card?
A DOT medical card is the certificate a medical examiner issues after a DOT physical, showing that a commercial driver is healthy enough to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. The certification has to be filed with the government. If it is not, the CDL is downgraded and the driver loses the ability to drive commercially.
How do I find a certified medical examiner for a DOT physical?
The FMCSA maintains the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. A trucker enters a ZIP code and the site returns a list of certified professionals nearby. Expect some churn: of the first ten listed in our search, about half were either not accepting patients or no longer certified to authorize a DOT medical card. Even so, finding one within 20 miles was not hard, and most were attached to an urgent care clinic or a hospital.
Do truckers still need a paper DOT medical card?
It depends. FMCSA now requires a trucker’s medical card data to be uploaded to a national database, and the medical examiner is required to upload records daily, so in theory the paper card is not needed. In practice a paper copy still matters when the data has not been uploaded, when state and federal records do not match, or when a driver’s state is not using the new system yet.
Can you pass a DOT physical with diabetes or heart disease?
Often, yes. Diabetes and cardiac disease are not automatic off-the-road conditions. If a chronic condition is well managed with medication or diet, it is not a reason to be banned from driving a commercial vehicle. The medical examiner will need specific treatment details and may require additional testing. Drivers with insulin-treated diabetes must submit an Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form (MCSA-5870) completed by a treating clinician.
Who is responsible for keeping a driver’s medical certification current?
The driver is. According to FMCSA, the driver is responsible for their medical certification status, not the medical examiner and not the fleet manager. Truckers have been ordered off the road over technical mismatches between state and federal databases, so checking your own status in the FMCSA database is worth the minute or two it takes.
TruckingOffice PRO
If you’re looking for trucking management software to help prevent medical card issues, Trucking Office PRO allows a trucker or fleet manager to upload the deadline for the renewal of the driver’s CDL or medical card. It’s just one of the many features of TruckingOffice PRO to help manage your trucking company efficiently to ensure your drivers and loads are ready for inspections.
Try out TruckingOffice PRO with a free trial to discover the powerful tools to support your trucking business.
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