Category Archives: DOT CDL Physical Exams

BMI, Sleep Apnea, & The DOT Exam

Our Office’s View On Sleep Apnea, BMI, and The DOT Physical Exam:

As of now, there are no official rulings from the federal government regarding sleep apnea and the dot physical exam.  However, it must be considered during the physical exam.  According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a BMI of over 40 is an almost sure tell tale sign that the patient has sleep apnea.

You can calculate your BMI easily by googling “BMI calculator.”  Simply enter your weight and height and you will get a number.  If your BMI is over 40, we ask that you have a sleep apnea test before coming in to our office for your exam.

Again, we are aware that there is no official ruling from the government that says you will fail your exam automatically if your BMI is over 40.  However, as medical providers who hold licenses, we must look out for ourselves and we cannot pass anyone we feel may be a hazard on the road.  It is our opinion that if your BMI is over 40, you are in a high risk category for sleep apnea.

Tips For The DOT Physical Exam

Here are some tips and some things to bring with you on the day of your DOT physical Exam in Orange County.  

If you have a medical condition, and are on medication, please bring in a list:

Diabetes: please bring a list of medications and the name of the prescribing doctor

High Blood Pressure: please bring a list of medications and the name of the prescribing doctor

Heart Condition: If you you’ve had a heart attack or cardiovascular condition, you’ll need to bring a copy of your last stress test.

Sleep Apnea: Bring a copy of your latest sleep test results, if you have one.

Medications: List all the prescription meds you are taking and include the strength and dosage.

Doctors info: Please bring your doctors names and phone numbers in case we need to call them to verify something.

Information For Drivers With Diabetes Or Vision Impairment. Exemption Programs.

Driver Exemption Programs

Requirements

The Federal Diabetes and Vision Exemption Programs have specific requirements, as well as requests for hearing and seizure exemptions.  These requests may include medical exams, employment history, driving experience and motor vehicle records which must be submitted with the application. The Agency will make a final decision within 180 days of receipt of the complete application.

Applying for an Exemption

An individual may apply for an exemption from the diabetes, hearing, seizure and vision standard, section 391.41(b)(3) and 391.41(b)(11), 391.41(b)(8) or 391(b)(10) of the regulation, by utilizing these programs. If you do not currently meet the diabetes, hearing, seizure and/or vision standard and are unable to obtain a medical card, you may be an eligible candidate.

Please note that all exemption programs are for drivers who intend to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. FMCSA does not have statutory authority to grant waivers/exemptions to drivers from states’ intrastate requirements. Therefore, the FMCSA waivers/exemptions do not permit regulatory relief for drivers who plan to limit their operations to intrastate commerce.

Diabetes Package

Vision Package

Hearing Package

Interstate Commerce

Interstate Commerce is trade, traffic, or transportation involving the crossing of a State boundary. Either the vehicle, its passengers, or cargo must cross a State boundary, or there must be the intent to cross a State boundary to be considered an interstate carrier. Intrastate commerce is trade, traffic, or transportation within a single State.

Interstate commerce is determined by the essential character of the movement, manifested by the shipper’s fixed and persistent intent at the time of shipment, and is ascertained from all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the transportation. When the intent of the transportation being performed is interstate in nature, even when the route is within the boundaries of a single state, the driver and the CMV are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Please note that the exemption programs are for drivers of CMVs that intend to operate in interstate commerce in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations define the United States as the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Updated: Tuesday, September 22, 2015

– See more at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs#sthash.cWVe7K2m.dpuf

www.dotphysicalsorangecounty.com

Orange County DOT Medical Exams

Drivers, make sure your doctor still does DOT Medical Exams

Attention all drivers, it’s been a year since the new rules and regulations were passed regarding DOT medical examinations.  However, there is still some confusion out there.  If you need a medical exam (DL-51), you will need to make sure your doctor or provider has been certified by the NRCME (National Registry Of Certified Medical Examiners).  You can find a list of providers near you by going to http://www.nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov

The doctor or provider that drivers have gone to in the past may no longer be able, by law, to perform medical exams for commercial drivers.

We are certified and we are on the national registry.  We are #2611572968

DOT Physical Exams in Orange County

Vision and The DOT Medical Exam

You are required to be able to see at least 20/40 out of both eyes.  Monocular vision, blindness in one eye, will disqualify you.  Please remember to bring your glasses or your contact prescription with you the day of the DOT exam.

Also, you must be able to see a minimum of 70 degrees peripherally out of both left and right eyes.

We are located in Mission Viejo CA in Orange County off the 5 Freeway.

We have also recently opened a new location in Santa Ana where we will be performing physicals on Tuesday mornings.

Please book your appointment on line at www.chiropractor.genbook.com

DOT medical exam orange county

New Location For DOT Medical Exams – Santa Ana Orange County

We are excited to announce we will be doing DOT medical exams for all class A and B license drivers in Santa Ana.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ON LINE CLICK HERE

The office will be open Tuesday mornings for now from 9-12 and we will add more hours as demand increases.  The office is very conveniently located across the street from the DMV.  You can get your medical card and paperwork and literally walk to the DMV to finish the process.

Our location in Santa Ana:

212 S Grande Ave
Santa Ana CA

You can book your appointment on line by clicking here

 

What happens if you are only approved for 3 months?

If you come in for your DOT physical exam and it is determined by your doctor that your blood pressure is too high, what should you know?  The most frequently asked question about this scenario is how many times can I take the test before I am completely disqualified?  The answer is one.

If a driver has blood pressure that is too high, and this is the first time this has happened to this particular driver, we can give the driver a temporary 3 month medical card.  In this time span of three months, the driver must find a way to lower his/her blood pressure.  The most popular way of lowering the blood pressure is with a prescription from a medical doctor.  If you choose to go this route, make sure that when you come back to get your one year medical card, you TAKE YOUR PRESCRIPTION THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT!

If the driver fails to lower their blood pressure after the three months, they are disqualified and unable to drive.  If they are able to lower the pressure to below 139/89, they can be given a one year medical card.  Once a driver has been found to have abnormally high blood pressure, they can only be certified for one year from that point on.

DOT medical exams – $70 – (949) 370 5413

Hello and welcome to your quick and easy DOT exam location in orange county.  We pride ourselves on our location by the beach and our zero wait times.  Come on to our relaxing office with ample parking and don’t stress out about your DOT exam.

Everyone who has a commercial drivers license is required to renew their medical card at least every two years.   We perform all the tests necessary to complete the DMV form and give you your green medical card which you carry with you at all times.

These tests include:                                                         

Health History
Vision Exam
Hearing Exam
Cardiovascular Exam
Urinalysis
General Physical Examination

The price for a DOT exam is $60.

If you have any questions about how to prepare for a DOT exam, questions about blood pressure, or any other general questions, please see the tabs above for that information.