Medical cards — what are they, why do they matter and how do you get one?
Drivers must meet federal Department of Transportation (DOT) medical requirements, which means, as long as you’re driving a semi-truck, you’ll need to regularly get (and pass) DOT physical exams. Drivers have to meet specific requirements to ensure they’re safe to operate heavy machinery (a semi-truck) around the public.
Safety is one of our top priorities at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) and we have strict hiring standards to ensure we have among the safest drivers on the road.
In this article, we’ll explain what a med card is, how you get one, how to prepare for your exam and what you can do if you don’t pass the exam.
What is a DOT Medical Card?
Federal regulations state that all CDL holders must meet specific medical requirements to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Drivers must be examined by qualified medical examiners at a minimum of every two years to receive their medical card.
During the DOT physical, examiners review drivers’ health history and current physical state to determine if any health conditions (or medications being taken to manage those health conditions) impact drivers’ ability to safely operate a CMV.
The medical examiner, who undergoes special training and must maintain their license to practice, has the very important job of reviewing health information to determine whether drivers are road-safe. Medical examiners follow a lengthy guidebook closely when examining drivers.
Putting drivers with medical conditions that impair their ability to drive on the road puts the general public (and the drivers themselves) at risk.
How to Get a Medical Card
Obtaining a medical card requires obtaining and passing a DOT physical from a certified medical examiner.
Schedule an Exam
You’ll need to schedule your DOT physical exam well in advance of your last medical card expiring.
Schedule your appointment with a certified medical examiner. You can find one near you on the FMCSA National Registry. Every certified medical examiner must have a national registry number. This number will be listed on your med card and companies have to review the examiner’s information before drivers can be certified to drive on the fleet. If you go to a medical examiner who isn’t certified, the med card isn’t legitimate.
Review Your Health History and Undergo Medical Screenings
The medical exam consists of a health history review, certain medical screenings and a physical exam. During the driver health history portion of the exam, the medical examiner will review your health history and talk about any medications you’re taking. This process is thorough.
During the medical screening portion of the exam, the examiner will test and record the following:
- Pulse rate and rhythm
- Height
- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Urinalysis
- Vision
- Hearing
Any abnormal results will be investigated further to determine if they’ll affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a CMV. Similarly, a physical examination is conducted and the medical examiner checks the body systems for any abnormalities.
During this time, they’ll check for underlying symptoms of a medical condition that could be deemed a disqualifying condition.
All in all, the exam should take around one hour. If you don’t have all the health history paperwork you need or you have a lot of health conditions to discuss, it could take longer.
Once the medical examiner is done examining you, you’ll receive one of the following labels:
- Does not meet standards
- Meets standards and qualifies for a two-year certificate
- Meets standards but periodic monitoring is required
- Determination pending
- Incomplete examination
If you don’t meet standards, you won’t receive a med card because the medical examiner has followed the guidebook and deemed you unfit to drive. If you meet standards, you’ll be issued a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, but there are a few caveats.
Med cards have different expiration periods depending on whether you have health conditions that must be regularly monitored. For instance, if you are in perfect health, you’ll get a med card that expires in two years. If you have a condition that requires periodic monitoring, like high blood pressure, you may only get a one-year med card.
Drivers normally receive a 45-day med card, a three-month med card, a six-month med card, a one-year med card or a two-year med card, but the length of the card is up to the medical examiner.
If you’re labeled determination pending, more information is needed to make a qualification decision. Most often, it’ll require you to visit your primary care doctor to take care of a medical issue and then follow up with that same medical examiner to get a longer med card.
An incomplete examination label means the driver didn’t complete the exam for some reason.
I Didn’t Pass My Med Card Exam …Now What?
If you don’t get approved for a med card, or you happen to get a determination pending, there are a few things you can do.
But first, let’s start with what you shouldn’t do. Do not, by any means, doctor shop. This is the act of going to a new medical examiner when another medical examiner won’t give you a med card due to something in your medical history or a test result.
If a driver were to get in an accident after doctor shopping for a med card or failing to disclose a medical condition, there could be dire consequences.
There are some health conditions that you simply cannot drive with, or medications you may be on that prevent you from operating heavy machinery. After certain medical events, such as a stroke, you may not be able to drive for a period of time, (but can eventually get your med card again after rehabilitation).
Some third-party companies offer drivers a return-to-work program. Drivers can contact doctors and nurses for medical information and advice about when they can drive again. They’ll work with the driver to get a new physical scheduled and notify the trucking company when it’s okay to come back to work.
If you receive a determination pending med card, it usually means there’s a health issue you can fix. To do so, visit your primary care doctor for a plan of care. For example, if you have high blood pressure, the medical examiner might give you a determination pending med card and require you to see your primary care physician to get put on blood pressure medication. Then it’s a matter of going back to the medical examiner for a new physical, after which you’ll get a longer med card.
Send Your New Med Card to the State
After you get a new card, it’s your responsibility to ensure it’s sent to your state. This is crucial. The state updates it in its system and ensures it’s updated on your Medical Vehicle Record (MVR). In some cases, your trucking company can send the paperwork to your state for you. The quickest way to get this updated on your MVR is to take the new medical card to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) following the examination. Most states will update your record on the spot.
The new medical expiration date must appear on your MVR within 15 days of the date of your physical or you’ll be unable to drive. Once you get a new med card, your old one is null. If you fail to turn in your new med card and you’re caught, you’ll be pulled off the road.
Preparing for the DOT Physical Exam
When it comes to preparing for your physical exam, there’s no such thing as too much information. Be prepared to be thorough and honest about your medical history. In fact, making a false statement or concealing a disqualifying condition may invalidate the exam and your medical certificate.
Your health and safety on the road should be a top priority for you. As such, take the time to gather all the information you need about your health history. This is especially important if you have a health condition, you’re on medication to treat a condition or you’ve had a recent surgery or injury.
Bring detailed information about your medications (including dosage and prescribing doctor), continuous positive airway (CPAP) readings (if applicable), any type of waiver (such as for vision or diabetes) or any medical release documentation.
If you have a condition such as diabetes, a heart condition, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, seizures or head injuries, be prepared to bring documentation of diagnosis, onset date, treating physicians’ name and information, a medical release, a list of job restrictions and any medications needed to treat the condition.
It’s important to note that, if you happen to have a change in health or get put on medication for the foreseeable future, you should complete a new DOT physical and list your new medication or condition. This will ensure you’re always road-worthy and your medical certificate is up-to-date with accurate information.
Keep Yourself Safe and Healthy On the Road
Obtaining and maintaining a DOT medical card is essential for commercial drivers to ensure their fitness to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. By following the regulations and meeting specific health requirements, drivers can schedule a DOT physical exam with a certified medical examiner.
The examiner reviews your health history and conducts tests and a physical exam to determine your eligibility for a medical card. It’s crucial for you to be honest during the exam and provide all necessary documentation.
If you don’t pass the exam, there are options available, such as seeking a return-to-work program or addressing health issues with a primary care doctor.
Ultimately, prioritizing health and safety on the road should be every driver's top concern. One of the best ways to stay healthy is by exercising — even while you’re on the road and away from home. Check out these exercise tips from an ATS driver.