Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Department of Transportation
Dr. Tereo is in good standing and is a Certified Department of Transportation Medical Examiner. He is listed in the National Registry.
Dr. Tereo has a CLIA Waiver and can perform the urinalysis portion of the examination right in his office.
Let Dr. Tereo’s office be your one stop place when the Medical Examiner’s Certificate is near expiration. We can usually see you the same day and get you out under an hour.
What Is A Dot Examination
A mandatory examination for all Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers. To qualify to operate said class of vehicles the following standards must be met:
Vision: You must have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction (eyeglasses or contacts) and at least 70 degrees of peripheral vision on the horizontal meridian in each eye. You must also be able to recognize and distinguish standard traffic signal colors: red, green, and amber.
Hearing: You must perceive a forced whisper voice at 5 feet or more with or without hearing aid. Otherwise, you must undergo a formal hearing test with an audiometer and pass.
Blood Pressure: Your blood pressure must be less than or equal to 140/90 to be qualified as a driver. If your blood pressure is more than 140/90 but less than 180/110, you may qualify for a shorter interval Medical Examination Certificate. This depends on several things, including if this is an initial or re-certification examination.
Medical Conditions That Can Disqualify a Driver:
1. History of epilepsy (seizure disorder).
2. Diabetes requiring the use of insulin (unless you have an exemption issued by the Federal government).
3. Failing to meet the minimum vision and hearing standards listed above*.
4. The use of some medications: -Methadone use automatically disqualifies you. -Use of a narcotic, amphetamine, or other habit forming drug without a prescription from a treating physician automatically disqualifies you.
5. Loss or impairment of an arm or limb that interferes with commercial driving or tasks related to driving, unless accompanied by a Skills Performance Certificate (SPE). 6. A history of alcoholism disqualifies you.
*If you don’t meet the vision standards or you are using insulin for your diabetes, it is possible to apply for an exemption by going to the Federal Diabetes and Vision Exemption Program on the FMCSA website.
Action Steps For Physical
STEP 1: Schedule your appointment. Call us at (510) 795-2700. We accept walk-ins, but recommend you schedule an appointment prior to your visit to reduce your wait time.
STEP 2: Get your physical We will perform an examination, including: Health history review A thorough physical exam A urine test
STEP 3: We will complete the Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination form and its supporting documentation, including DOT physical forms.
You must pass all DOT physical requirements in order to be cleared for your CDL medical card. To speed up your visit please fill out the driver’s portion of the Medical Examination Report prior to your visit.
Insurance does not cover this exam – some employers may pay for this exam.
Dot Tips For Best Test Results
For having your blood pressure taken:
- Don’t drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before having your blood pressure measured.
- Before the test, sit for five minutes 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 so your arm is exposed.
- Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change your blood pressure reading.
- Get two readings, taken at least two minutes apart, and average the results.
- Ask the doctor to tell you the blood pressure reading in numbers.
How to prepare for your DOT physical
- Eyeglasses? Contact lenses? Hearing aid? Whichever you use, bring it with you.
- Bring a list of your current medications as well as the name and contact number of the doctor who prescribed them.
- Complete the Driver Information and Health History sections of the Medical Examination Report form. Don’t forget to sign and date the form.
- Supply Dr. Tereo with medical records for conditions such as diabetes, cardiac disease, sleep disorders, neurological conditions, etc. If you take medications for pain, psychiatric conditions, attention deficit disorder, or smoking cessation for example, bring a letter from your treating doctor.
What to Bring to the Examination
- Glasses if vision requires a prescription
- Last MER Card
- List of medications with dosages
- Yearly clearance letter from Cardiologist or for other chronic conditions may be required before clearance.
- MEDICAL EXAMINATION REPORT & DOCTOR CERTIFICATION FORM
- [Form: MCSA-5875 (Revised: 12/09/2015)]
- Medical Examination Report Form (for Commercial Driver Medical Certification). The link follows:
- https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2021-12/Medical%20Examination%20Report%20Form%2C%20MCSA-5875.pdf
- To save time, have pages 1 and 2 completely filled out. Each question under the Health History part requires a “YES” or “NO” response.
- If you cannot obtain this form, we will supply one for you.
Medical Examination Report
MEDICAL EXAMINATION REPORT & DOCTOR CERTIFICATION FORM
Link to Form MCSA-5875 (Revised: 12/09/2015)
Medical Examination Report Form (for Commercial Driver Medical Certification)
Link to Form MCSA-5876 (Revised: 12/06/2015)
Medical Examiner’s Certificate (for Commercial Driver Medical Certification)