What is a DOT Health Card?

A DOT health or medical card is one of the documents required to obtain a commercial motor vehicle license. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires a medical card to be issued by a qualified and recognized medical doctor. The report should certify that the individual in question is certified medically and qualified physically to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The DOT health card is to be carried by the person for presentation to a law enforcement officer or inspector of commercial motor vehicles when required.

Who Needs a DOT Health Card

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires people who maintain or apply for a commercial driver's license to have a DOT health card. A DOT medical card also is needed when a driver operates a commercial vehicle with a combined gross vehicle weight of 10,001 lbs. or more, to transport hazardous materials in quantities stipulated by the hazardous materials regulations, to transport nine to 15 passengers for monetary gain or to transport 16 or more passengers, regardless of monetary gain. A driver who is returning to work after an illness or injury also needs one.

Where to Get It

• Commercial driver's license holders generally need to renew their DOT health card every two years. Where to obtain the renewal will depend on the driver's circumstances. Drivers can obtain a health card through a company-contracted physician who will perform the physical exam, by an urgent-care facility that specializes in occupational health, at any hospital that has an occupational health department or from licensed physicians in private practice familiar with the requirements for driving commercial vehicles.

Procedure

• At your doctor's appointment, you must fill out a health history report; complete the DOT physical exam, which includes height, weight, pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing, eyes and ears checks; and have a urine analysis to check for blood sugar. If all goes well, the DOT health card is issued by the doctor.

Physical Qualifications

• There are certain qualifications that the DOT health card applicant must meet. The applicant must have all of his limbs; no impairment of hands, fingers or legs that can interfere with driving; no established history of diabetes, heart problems, respiratory dysfunction, or rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular or vascular disease; no record of epilepsy; and no clinical diagnosis of drug abuse or alcoholism.