DOT Physicals and CDL Exams

US Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals and commercial driver’s license (CDL) exams are required of all people who operate motor vehicles for a living. At Monument Occupational Medicine in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Susan Cump, PA, Anjmun Sharma, MD, and their team provide DOT physicals and CDL exams. Call Monument Occupational Medicine today to schedule your next DOT physical or CDL exam, or book your appointment online.

Are DOT physicals and CDL exams the same?

Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals and commercial driver’s license (CDL) exams are required of people who drive commercial vehicles, like buses and semi trucks, but they aren’t the same.

Department of Transportation (DOT) physical

A DOT physical is a routine checkup to ensure that you’re healthy enough to operate a motor vehicle. All commercial drivers must undergo a DOT physical every two years. However, if you have a chronic medical condition like diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an annual exam could be required.

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) exam

A CDL exam is a three-part test that assesses your ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle. The exam includes a pretrip vehicle inspection test, a basic controls skills test, and an on-road driving test. Once you pass the exam, your commercial driver’s license is good for a year.

What happens during a DOT physical?

A DOT physical is an outpatient procedure that takes 45-60 minutes.

First, your Monument Occupational Medicine provider reviews your medical records and asks about your health and lifestyle. Tell them about any medications you take (prescription and over-the-counter), how often you drink alcohol, and if you smoke or chew tobacco.

Also, tell them if you’ve been diagnosed with any chronic medical conditions, like diabetes or heart disease.

Next, your provider:

• Checks your pulse
• Assesses your blood pressure
• Measures your height and weight
• Checks your eyes and vision
• Checks your ears and hearing
• Listen to your heart, lungs, and abdomen
• Tests your reflexes

Your provider also orders lab work, including blood tests and urinalysis. If you have sleep apnea, they could order a sleep study to assess its severity.

After completing the exam, your provider clears you for commercial driving. They then fill out paperwork you submit to your employer.

If your provider identifies a medical problem, like poor vision, they recommend personalized treatment. For example, they might refer you to an eye doctor for an eyeglass or contact lens prescription.

What happens during a CDL exam?

A CDL exam includes three separate tests:

Test 1: Pretrip inspection

This test assesses your ability to identify the different parts of your commercial vehicle and how they operate.

During the test, you’re asked to check for fluid and air leaks, verify that your brakes work, check fluid levels under the hood, and inspect your tires for condition and tread. You’re also asked to check all lights, ensuring that they work correctly.

Test 2: Basic control skills 

This test assesses your ability to operate your commercial vehicle, emphasizing backing up the vehicle. During the test, you’re asked to maneuver your truck around several cones in a test area.

Test 3: Road skills

This test is similar to a typical driving test. It assesses your ability to properly signal, observe speed limits, properly pass other vehicles, and make safe turns.

After you complete all three tests, your provider signs the paperwork you submit to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Call Monument Occupational Medicine today to schedule a DOT physical or CDL exam, or book your appointment online.