Welcome to Comprehensive Id Care(Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease Physicians Internal Medicine

Dr. Shahbaz Ahmad is one of a  FMCSA-certified medical examiners who can perform DOT physicals. A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is a mandatory medical exam for individuals operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) such as buses or large trucks. This evaluation ensures that drivers are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to safely handle the demands of the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and enforces these requirements to help protect public safety.  Make an appoint online  today.

  You are required to undergo a DOT physical if you:

• Drive      a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers.
• Are paid     to drive a vehicle carrying more than 8 passengers.
• Transport      hazardous materials that require placards.

Operate a vehicle with a gross weight ratingor combination weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more across state lines. 

  A certified medical examiner will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including:

• Medical      history review: surgeries, medications, tobacco/alcohol/substance use,      past diagnoses, symptoms, and previous drug test results.
• Physical      examination: height, weight, vision, hearing, blood pressure, and      checks of various body systems (heart, lungs, spine, abdomen, skin,      reflexes, extremities, gait, etc.).
• Urinalysis:      to screen for sugar, protein, blood, and kidney-related issues.
• Additional      testing may be required for conditions like sleep apnea or based on      the examiner’s findings.

 Vision

• Minimum      20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction).
• Minimum      70° field of vision in each eye.
• Must      distinguish red, green, and amber traffic signal colors.
• If      standard is not met, you may qualify under FMCSA’s alternative vision      standard with a completed Vision Evaluation Report (MCSA-5871).

Hearing

• Must      hear a forced whisper at 5 feet in at least one ear (with or      without a hearing aid).
• Failing      this leads to an audiometry test.
• If      using a hearing aid, it must be worn while driving.

Blood Pressure

• 140/90      or below: Qualified for 2 years.
• 140–159/90–99:      1-year certification.
• 160–179/100–109:      Temporary 3-month certification, retest after BP control.
• 180/110      or higher: Not qualified until BP is controlled; then 6-month      certification.

  Some conditions require annual or more frequent exams:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Heart      disease

For example, very high blood pressure may require exams every 3 months while undergoing treatment.

  To streamline your visit, bring the following:

• A      completed driver's portion of the exam (if available).
• List      of medications with doses.
• Eyeglasses,      contacts, or hearing aids, if applicable.
• Blood      sugar logs and HbA1C reports, if diabetic.
• CPAP      machine data (90-day compliance), if diagnosed with sleep apnea.
• Cardiologist      letter, if you have heart conditions.
• Neurologist      letter, if you have seizure disorders or a history of stroke.
• Medical      clearance letters, if you take sedating medications or controlled      substances.
• Warfarin      (Coumadin) users must bring recent INR levels and clearance.

   Certain health issues may disqualify a driver from passing the DOT physical:

• Uncontrolled      high blood pressure or diabetes
• Heart      conditions, seizures, or dizziness-inducing illnesses
• Severe      vision or hearing loss (uncorrected)
• Substance      abuse (including marijuana—even if prescribed)
• Ongoing      oxygen therapy
• Kidney      disease with abnormal urinalysis

Some cases may be eligible for waivers or exemptions. If a condition is brought under control, a re-evaluation may allow for recertification.

  To improve your chances of passing:

• Keep      medications up to date and take them consistently.
• Update      your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription.
• Reduce      salt and sugar intake.
• Avoid      alcohol and recreational drugs.
• Manage      chronic conditions proactively.
• Maintain      a healthy weight and active lifestyle.
• Quit      smoking or vaping, if possible.