Who Needs a DOT Physical?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires a DOT physical for drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. Under federal rules, that generally means a vehicle that meets at least one of these four conditions.
Weighs 10,001 Pounds or More
The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more.
Carries Passengers for Pay
It’s designed or used to carry more than 8 passengers, including the driver, for compensation.
Carries 16 or More People
It’s designed or used to carry more than 15 passengers, including the driver, without compensation.
Hauls Placarded Hazardous Materials
It transports hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placards.
Colorado CDL holders also need a current DOT medical on file to keep their license. According to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, a CDL without a current DOT medical license is subject to cancellation or a downgrade to a regular license.
What Happens During a DOT Physical Exam?
A DOT physical exam checks whether you meet the federal health standards for driving a commercial vehicle safely. Your certified examiner reviews your health history, tests your vision and hearing, checks your vital signs and completes a physical exam. Here’s what each part covers.
Health History Review
You’ll fill out the driver section of the Medical Examination Report, Form MCSA-5875. Your examiner goes over it with you, including past surgeries, health conditions and the medications you take.
Vision Test
You’ll need at least 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without glasses or contacts, and at least 70 degrees of horizontal vision in each eye. Your examiner also checks that you can recognize red, green and amber traffic signals.
Hearing Test
Blood Pressure and Pulse
Your examiner checks your blood pressure and your pulse rate and rhythm. Your height and weight are recorded too.
Urinalysis
Your urine sample is checked for specific gravity, protein, blood and sugar. It’s a health screening, not a drug test.
Physical Exam
Your examiner completes a head-to-toe check of 14 body systems, from your eyes and ears to your heart, lungs and spine.
Only your examiner can decide whether you meet the federal standards. If a condition such as high blood pressure needs monitoring, you may receive a certificate for a shorter period.
How to Prepare for Your DOT Physical
Coming prepared helps your appointment move quickly. Bring these with you:
- Your glasses, contact lenses or hearing aid, if you use them
- A list of the medications you take with dosages, plus contact information for the doctors who prescribed them
- The driver section of Form MCSA-5875, filled out, signed and dated (the form is available on the FMCSA website)
- Medical history including surgeries or chronic conditions
- Relevant medical documentation including completed FMCSA exemptions (if applicable)
- Your driver’s license
How the DOT Physical Process Works at OnPoint
Getting your DOT physical at OnPoint takes four steps, from booking your appointment to leaving with your certificate.
Call to Schedule
DOT physicals are by appointment only. Call your preferred OnPoint location to book a time between 8 AM and 4 PM, any day of the week.
Complete Your Paperwork
Fill out, sign and date the driver section of Form MCSA-5875 before you arrive.
See Your Certified Examiner
Our certified DOT medical examiner reviews your health history with you and completes your exam.
Get Your Certificate
If you pass, we issue your Medical Examiner’s Certificate on the spot. Your results also go to the FMCSA National Registry, which shares them electronically with the Colorado DMV.
DOT Physicals by Appointment
DOT physicals at OnPoint are by appointment only, so you’ll have a set time with a certified DOT medical examiner. Our clinics are still walk-in for urgent care seven days a week. Drug and alcohol screening is walk-in too, from 8 AM to 4 PM. Call the location closest to you to book your DOT physical.
Why Drivers Choose OnPoint for DOT Physicals
We keep your DOT physical simple, so you spend less time in the clinic and more time on the road.
Certified DOT Medical Examiners
Every DOT physical at OnPoint is completed by a certified DOT medical examiner.
Your Certificate Before You Leave
Pass your exam and you’ll walk out with your Medical Examiner’s Certificate in hand.
Appointments 7 Days a Week
Book your DOT physical any day of the week, weekends included, between 8 AM and 4 PM.
DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing
Our clinics are a certified eScreen facility, so you can complete DOT drug and alcohol testing at the same location.
DOT Physicals for Employers and Fleets
Managing DOT compliance for a team of drivers? OnPoint partners with Denver-area employers to handle DOT physicals, drug and alcohol testing and other occupational health needs at all six of our locations. When you set up an employer account, we:
- Set up billing, reporting and a designated employer representative contact for your business
- Report visit results and required documentation directly to your designated employer representative
- Build drug and alcohol testing programs for pre-placement, random, post-accident, return-to-duty and reasonable-suspicion testing
- Give you a single point of contact through dedicated case management
Your drivers can visit any OnPoint location with no referral needed. Learn more about our occupational medicine services for employers, including workers’ compensation care and pre-employment physicals.
Schedule Your DOT Physical Today
DOT physicals are available by appointment at all six OnPoint locations, seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM. Call your nearest location to book.
