DOT physical and medical card: what a new carrier needs to know
Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 6, 2026
Your DOT physical must be done by an examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. [4]
If you drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, you have to be medically certified as physically qualified before you drive it. That's the DOT physical. It applies to these drivers whether or not they have a CDL. [1][2][5]
On this page
Who needs a DOT physical
For the general federal safety rules, including the medical requirement, an interstate commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle or combination with a weight rating or actual weight of 10,001 lbs or more, whichever is greater.
A driver covered by Part 391 must not operate a CMV unless medically certified as physically qualified. This applies to CMV drivers with or without a CDL. [1][2][5]
How long a medical certificate lasts
A driver must be re-examined if not medically certified within the preceding 24 months, so a medical certificate lasts at most 2 years.
Some drivers need a new exam every 12 months, including insulin-treated diabetics certified under 391.46 and drivers certified under the vision standard in 391.44. [3]
Who can do the exam
The DOT physical must be done by a medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. There are limited exceptions, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist for the vision part. [4]
The June 2025 change for CDL holders
Since June 23, 2025, CDL and CLP holders with a current medical certification no longer have to carry the paper medical card.
For CDL drivers, the carrier meets the medical-certificate requirement by getting the CDLIS motor vehicle record from the current licensing state and placing it in the driver qualification file. [5][6]
Non-CDL drivers
For a non-CDL driver, the driver qualification file keeps the medical examiner's certificate (or a copy) and a note verifying that the examiner is on the National Registry. [6]
Why carriers should check
Knowingly using a physically unqualified driver is an automatic failure of the new entrant safety audit. [7]
Common questions
Do I need a DOT physical if I don't have a CDL?
Yes, if you drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. The medical requirement covers CMV drivers with or without a CDL, and the federal CMV line for these rules is 10,001 lbs. [1][2][5]
How long is a DOT medical card good for?
At most 24 months. Some drivers, such as insulin-treated diabetics certified under 391.46 and drivers certified under the vision standard in 391.44, need a new exam every 12 months. [3]
Can any doctor do a DOT physical?
No. The exam must be performed by a medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, with limited exceptions such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist for the vision part. [4]
Do CDL drivers still have to carry the medical card?
Not since June 23, 2025, as long as their medical certification is current. [5]
Sources (7)
- 49 CFR 390.5 - Definitions (commercial motor vehicle, FMCSRs) (accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- 49 CFR 391.41 - Physical qualifications for drivers (accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- eCFR - 49 CFR 391.45 Persons who must be medically examined and certified (via eCFR versioner API) (accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- eCFR - 49 CFR 391.43 Medical examination; certificate of physical examination (via eCFR versioner API) (accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- eCFR - 49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers (via eCFR versioner API) (accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- eCFR - 49 CFR 391.51 General requirements for driver qualification files (via eCFR versioner API) (accessed Oct 6, 2026)
- eCFR - 49 CFR 385.321 Safety audit: Failure (via eCFR versioner API) (accessed Oct 6, 2026)