NYC DOT Physical Exams

New York DOT physical exams for CDL medical certification.

Fast NYC DOT Physicals

Are you a commercial truck driver or bus driver? If so, then you know just how important your health is for your success and safety on the road.

Whether you need a medical card for the first time or you want to renew your current card, you can  walk in to any of AG Urgent Care’s locations to visit our certified medical staff who will perform New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals in compliance with DOT and FMSCA requirements.

Learn more below about what to expect before scheduling your DOT medical exam.

NYC DOT Physical – What To Expect

When you arrive for your DOT exam, we’ll start by collecting your recent health history. For this, you’ll need to bring the following:

  • Signed and dated Medical Examination Report form (don’t forget to fill out the Driver Information and Health History sections)
  • A list of any current medications you take, plus the name and contact number of the doctor who prescribed them
  • Medical records for any serious conditions, such as diabetes or cardiac diseases
  • A letter from your treating doctor if you take medication for pain, psychiatric conditions, attention deficit disorders or smoking cessation

We will perform the physical examination, which will involve urine, vision, hearing and blood pressure tests. You must meet the DOT guidelines for each test in order to be deemed medically fit.

Vision Test

Commercial drivers need good vision in order to read traffic signs, monitor road conditions and more. The NYS Department of Transportation requires you to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. You’ll be asked to sit or stand still and identify letters and numbers on an eye chart. The nurse practitioner will also test the peripheral vision, or side vision, in each eye. Finally, there will be a color test to make sure you can distinguish between the red, green and amber colors of traffic signals.

Driver’s Note: Be sure to bring your eyeglasses or contact lenses if you have them.

Hearing Test

According to the DOT, you must be able to perceive a forced whisper voice at 5 feet or more, with or without a hearing aid. If not, you need to pass a formal hearing test with an audiometer. This is to make sure you’ll be able to hear the sounds of traffic and any information coming in over the radio. Please bring any hearing aid devices with you to the appointment.

Blood Pressure Test

In order to qualify for the 24-month certification, your blood pressure must be less than or equal to 140/90. Individuals whose blood pressure is more than 140/90 but less than 180/110 may qualify for a shorter term certificate.

To help ensure your blood pressure test goes smoothly and delivers accurate results, follow a few simple tips:

  • Don’t drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before the test
  • Five minutes before the test, sit with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart
  • Wear short sleeves
  • An empty bladder is best so use the bathroom beforehand

We can take two separate readings (two minutes apart) and average the results together. We’ll also be happy to tell you the blood pressure reading in numbers so you can understand it better, as well as answer any questions you might have.

Keep Your Medical Certificate (MCSA-5876) Current

If your DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate indicates “must be accompanied by a Diabetic, Hearing, Seizure or Vision waiver exemption or an SPE Certificate,” you must have a Medical Variance issued by FMCSA.

Your renewed Medical Examiner’s Certificate, and Variance if applicable, must be received and processed by DMV prior to the expiration of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate on file to avoid loss of your commercial driving privilege. You should allow at least two weeks for processing your updated certificate.

New York DOT Medical Certification

View DOT CDL Medical Exam Requirements

Get Back on the Road

  • AG doctors are DOT Certified and validated on FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
  • Our examiner makes sure your documentation is correct and that you have a valid medical card.
  • AG examiners will guide you reasonably and fairly through all the requirements to qualify you for a DOT medical card.
  • Our DOT physical cost is all inclusive.
  • Walk-in or check in online.
New York CDL Medical Exam
New York CDL Medical Exam
New York CDL Medical Exam

Conditions That Can Disqualify You from Passing Your DOT Physical

Going into the DOT physical exam, it’s important to be aware of some of the common conditions that can disqualify drivers.

These may include, but are not limited to: epilepsy, diabetes, alcoholism, use of habit-forming drugs (such as narcotics and amphetamines) and loss or impairment of a limb. You may also be disqualified if you do not pass the vision, hearing or blood pressure tests. Some of these conditions may be eligible for exemption, so be sure to talk to your nurse practitioner at Preventive Medicine Associates for more information.

Best DOT Physical CDL Medical Exams in New York

Our fast and thorough DOT medical exams help you get back on the road quickly.