DOT Physical Checklist

DOT Physical Checklist: What to Bring, What They Test, and How to Prepare

By Dr. David Jacobsen, DC — FMCSA-Certified Medical Examiner, OneCare CDL, Daytona Beach, FL

You've got a DOT physical coming up in the next few days. Good. Getting ahead of it is exactly the right move — and that's what this guide is for.

After more than 40 years as an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, I've seen drivers show up fully prepared and sail through their exam in under an hour. I've also seen drivers show up without their medication list, with uncontrolled blood pressure from three days of bad sleep, or without their glasses — and leave without a medical card. The difference almost always comes down to preparation, not health.

Use this DOT physical checklist as your step-by-step prep guide. Print it out. Work through it before your exam day. It'll make everything faster, smoother, and a whole lot less stressful.

What to Bring to Your DOT Physical — Day-of Checklist

Here's everything you need to have in hand when you walk through the door. Don't leave any of these behind.

Required Documents

Valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, state ID, or passport. This is non-negotiable.
List of all current prescription medications — include the medication name, dosage, prescribing physician's name, and what condition it's treating. If you take something daily, it goes on the list. If you're unsure whether to include it, include it.
Relevant medical records — this isn't required for every driver, but if you have a known condition, bring documentation. That means specialist letters, sleep study results, CPAP compliance reports, blood pressure logs, or recent lab work. These records can be the difference between a 1-year card and a 2-year card — or between passing and being deferred.
Payment information — check your payment method before you arrive so there's no delay at the desk.

Corrective Lenses and Hearing Aids

Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to see clearly. The vision test is part of the exam. If you drive with corrective lenses, bring them — your medical card will note the requirement.
Hearing aids if you use them. Same deal — bring them and wear them for the hearing test.

Pro tip: Bring your most current eyeglass prescription if you have it. If you're borderline on vision, this gives the examiner the full picture. Learn more about what's required in our guide to CDL vision requirements and the DOT eye test.

How to Prepare for Your DOT Physical — 3 to 7 Days Before

What you do in the week before your DOT physical matters. Here's what I tell every driver who asks how to prepare:

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is one of the most common reasons drivers get a shortened card or a deferral. If yours tends to run high, start taking readings at rest — morning and evening — for a few days leading up to your exam. This helps you know where you stand and catch any spikes early.

For a complete breakdown of the FMCSA blood pressure stages and what each one means for your certification, read our post on DOT physical blood pressure requirements.

Reduce Sodium and Caffeine

Both spike blood pressure — sometimes significantly. In the days before your exam, cut back on salty foods and limit your coffee intake, especially on exam day morning.

Prioritize Sleep

Fatigue affects blood pressure, heart rate, and your ability to focus during the exam. Get full nights of sleep for at least three days leading up to your physical. This isn't just good advice — it's practical exam strategy.

Refill Your Prescriptions

Make sure your medication information is current. If a prescription has changed recently — new dosage, new medication, discontinued med — update your list before you come in. Running out and skipping doses before your exam is the last thing you want.

Contact the Examiner Ahead of Time for Borderline Conditions

If you know you have a borderline condition — blood pressure that's been creeping up, a blood sugar reading that's high, a vision issue you're worried about — reach out before exam day. At OneCare CDL, we'd rather talk through it with you in advance than have you show up uncertain. Call us at (386) 226-0011 to discuss your situation before you come in.

What the Examiner Tests — Step by Step

Here's exactly what happens during a DOT physical exam, in the order it typically occurs. No surprises.

Vision Test

Distance acuity: You must see at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses.
Field of vision: At least 70 degrees peripheral vision in each eye.
Color recognition: Ability to distinguish traffic signal colors.

Hearing Test

Whisper test: The examiner whispers a number from five feet away. You must hear it in at least one ear, with or without a hearing aid. Learn what to expect in our CDL hearing requirements guide.

Blood Pressure and Pulse

Taken at rest. FMCSA sets clear thresholds — Stage 1, 2, and 3 hypertension each carry different certification outcomes.

Urinalysis

A urine sample is collected and tested for glucose (sugar) and protein. This is not a drug test — it's a screening for diabetes and kidney function indicators.

Physical Examination

The examiner evaluates each of the following systems:

Head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat
Cardiovascular: Heart rhythm, murmurs, pulse quality
Pulmonary: Lung sounds, breathing
Abdomen: Organ enlargement, hernia
Musculoskeletal: Range of motion, limb function, any prosthetics or assistive devices
Neurological: Reflexes, coordination, tremors

The whole exam, when you come prepared, typically takes 45 minutes to an hour.

What Happens If You Don't Pass One Component?

Not passing one part of the exam doesn't automatically mean you're disqualified. Here's how it usually works:

Temporary Certification

If your blood pressure is elevated but below the Stage 3 threshold, the examiner may issue a shorter-duration medical card — sometimes 3 or 12 months — to give you time to bring it under control with treatment.

Re-examination

If a condition needs to be addressed — a new specialist referral, updated records, a prescription adjustment — you can return for a follow-up exam once that's handled.

Waivers and Exemptions

FMCSA offers exemption programs for certain disqualifying conditions, including vision, hearing, diabetes, and epilepsy. These are federal programs with specific applications. If you think you may qualify, bring it up with your examiner. For a full rundown of what can and can't disqualify you, see our post on DOT physical requirements for 2026.

Questions Drivers Ask Before Their DOT Physical

Do I need to fast before a DOT physical? No fasting required. Eat normally. That said, a heavy, salty meal right before your exam isn't ideal for blood pressure or urinalysis results.

How long is the exam? For a well-prepared driver, plan on 45 minutes to an hour. Bringing complete documentation keeps things moving.

Can I get my medical card the same day? Yes. At OneCare CDL, Dr. Jacobsen issues your medical card same-day once you pass your exam.

What if I take a medication that might be a concern? Disclose it. Every medication. Hiding a prescription is never worth the risk — and many medications that drivers worry about are completely compatible with CDL certification. Our post on how to pass your DOT physical covers medication disclosure in detail.

How OneCare CDL Makes It Simple

At OneCare CDL in Daytona Beach, we've built the exam experience around one goal: helping qualified drivers get their medical card as efficiently and confidently as possible. Dr. Jacobsen has performed thousands of DOT physical exams for Florida CDL drivers over four decades — and he approaches every single one the same way: thorough, straightforward, and on your side.

We offer same-day medical card issuance. We work with drivers who have complex medical histories. And we make time to answer your questions before, during, and after your exam.

We are appointment-based only — so the best thing you can do right now is get on the schedule.

Ready to Get Certified? Book Your DOT Physical Today.

Don't leave your medical card to chance. Use this checklist, get prepared, and come in ready to pass.

Book your DOT physical exam at OneCare CDL →

Or call us directly at (386) 226-0011 — our team can help you schedule your exam and answer any questions you have before you come in.

OneCare CDL | Daytona Beach, FL | FMCSA-Certified Medical Examiner on staff