If a driver operates a commercial vehicle across state lines that weighs over 10,000 lbs, carries more than 15 people, or is paid to transport more than eight people, they will need to pass the DOT (Department of Transportation) physical exam.
This physical assesses their overall health and ensures they are healthy enough to operate such a large vehicle without putting their safety and that of others at risk.
If you are preparing for your first DOT physical or your first in many years, make sure you read our overview of the DOT physical so you know what to expect.
Many drivers schedule their first DOT physical close to home, but what should you do if it’s time for your DOT renewal and you’re nowhere near your permanent address? Read on to find out.
Can I Get a DOT Physical in Any State?
Yes, drivers can get their physical in any state, whether they call that state home or not. That means if you’re traveling when your DOT medical card needs to be renewed, or if you currently live in a different state to where you plan to find work, you can get your physical done as soon as you are ready.
Do I Have to Get My DOT Physical in the Same State I Got My CDL?
No, it doesn’t matter where you received your CDL, you can still get your DOT physical in any state.
Does the DOT Physical Vary From State to State?
No. The DOT physical follows a standardized process and there are set requirements your Medical Examiner must follow and that you must meet, no matter where in the country you book your exam or what kind of doctor is doing it for you.
Your first physical may be with a medical doctor in North Carolina, and your second with a Chiropractor in Nevada, for example — unless there's been a change to your health condition between the two physicals, the exam itself should be the same.
Where Do I Get a DOT Physical?
You can get your DOT physical done by any Certified Medical Examiner who is registered with the FMCSA. The Medical Examiner doesn’t have to be a medical doctor (MD), but they will have a doctorate (or similar) in the medical field.
You can find a registered Medical Examiner by searching on the FMCSA website here.
How do I Choose a DOT Physical Provider?
If you’re working with a new company, ask them if they have a recommended or preferred provider. When you find a potential provider, try to verify that they are certified by searching for them within the NRCME (National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners) database. Once you’ve confirmed that they are registered, here are a few other qualities to look for:
- Good reviews: Check that any potential provider has good reviews. Ideally, these will be reviews of the DOT physical service, but if they are a new examiner, look at the reviews for the other services they offer. Look for comments around professionalism, bedside manner, and level of care. Ignore any reviews that are negative because the examiner followed protocol (such as recommending someone for a sleep study when their BMI is over 40, which is mandatory). While it may be understandable that a driver found a requirement frustrating, the examiner was doing their job.
- Pricing: This may be of little consequence to you if the company you work for is paying for the physical, but if you’re paying for it, it’s worth looking at the pricing of different providers near you. The cost for a DOT physical varies from provider to provider and in different locations across the country, so choose one that feels good to you.
- Decide if the qualifications matter to you: A wide range of medical professionals can become certified medical examiners, and all have undergone the same training to complete DOT physicals. However, some drivers have felt more uncomfortable having a medical examiner that is not a fully qualified medical doctor (MD) as they worried the advice or assessment of their health would not be quite as accurate. While Chiropractors are just as capable of offering accurate physicals and medical advice, consider if you have a preference and if you require a medical examiner that is the same sex as you.
Do I Have to Pay for the DOT Physical?
Whose responsibility it is to pay for your DOT physical varies from company to company — there are no rules or requirements. Some companies will pay for it because it is necessary to do the job and they want to either provide it as a benefit or have control over where the physical is done. Others, however, expect the driver to pay for it since it is likely the driver will need the physical anyway. It simply depends on the company you are working for.
Do I Have to Get a New DOT Physical if I Start a New Job?
No, from the DOT’s point of view, the medical card is valid anywhere in the country, provided it’s up to date. You can use that medical card no matter what company you work for, so if you get a new job, you do not have to get a new medical card.
However, it’s worth noting that some drivers find that the new company requires them to have a physical done by their medical examiner, and some have a company policy of requiring all new drivers to get a new physical before they start driving for them. However, if this is the case, they will usually pay for the physical.
The DOT physical may be new to you now, but after a few years, it will become routine and be a mild inconvenience to you every year or two. Provided the company you work for has no internal policies around their drivers’ DOT medical exams, you can get your physical anywhere in the country provided it’s with a Certified Medical Examiner.
If you have any other questions about the DOT physical or your ability to pass, explore our DOT physical guides and articles for more information here. Or, if you're a safety or hiring manager responsible for your drivers' DOT physicals, check out our automated DOT physical management program.
Links to Related Articles in This Series:
The DOT Physical: Everything You Need to Know
DOT Physicals: Can Chiropractors and Other Doctors do DOT Physicals?
DOT Physicals: Vision Requirements for the Eye Exam
DOT Physicals: Can You Pass with a High BMI or While Overweight?
DOT Physicals: Can You Pass with a Hernia?
DOT Physicals: Will I Pass with Diabetes?
DOT Physical Blood Pressure: Requirements & Tips for Passing
DOT Physicals: Can I Pass With Sleep Apnea?
DOT Physicals: What if I have a Medical Condition?
DOT Physicals: Do They Include a Drug Test?
How to Prepare for Your DOT Physical?
DOT Physicals: What Happens When You Fail?
Fail a DOT Physical? You Have a Right to a Second Opinion
DOT Physicals: Understanding Medical Variances
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