Are you planning to get your DOT med card in Miami? In case you don’t know this already, this is one card you really, really need if you want to become a commercial vehicle driver. The U.S. laws mandate this, which is why you need this before you can give your driving test.

How to Get a DOT Med Card?

A DOT med card is issued to those who clear a DOT physical exam. You can take this exam at any of the nearest centers near you that conduct it. You must be careful here since many centers that claim to be authorized exam centers don’t have the authorization to conduct it.

Only a certified medical examiner can conduct this exam. You can find details about the registered DOT physical centers near you from the web link for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Important Things to Know about DOT Physical Exam

  • You need to be healthy to clear the exam: You need to be both physically and mentally fit to clear a DOT physical exam. When you walk in, you will be asked to fill a form with details about yourself. These details will include your personal information, along with a declaration of your eyesight and hearing ability. You must fill this form carefully, for a single wrong detail can directly lead to rejection. You don’t get that many chances to retake this exam. If you use visual or hearing aids, you can bring them along to take the exam.

Your hearing and visual ability are the most important senses that you need for driving a commercial vehicle. With that, you also need a quick-thinking ability that can help you make the best decisions. You have to be strong-willed and someone who can keep themselves cheered up despite being on the road for days! These strenuous measures are why only the strongest-willed people can get through this exam.

  • You are tested on multiple parameters: Besides your hearing and viewing ability, your body’s internal health is considered very important too. You need to have a regulated blood pressure level and must not suffer from a heart condition. The next step involves your blood and urine test, which assesses you on all kinds of medical parameters.

If you take medications for any health condition, you must bring suggested medication and paperwork along for taking the exam. Based on that, you may be given certain exceptions for clearing the exam.

  • You need to take this exam every 2 years or sooner: Barring a few very serious conditions, you will still be deemed eligible to clear the exam if you suffer from the above conditions, although you will need to take the DOT physical exam sooner than 2 years. It could be as short as 3 months, or 6 months or 1 year, depending upon how serious your medical condition is.
  • There is no shortcut to clear the DOT Physical exam: Whether you like it or not, you have to clear the DOT physical exam before you get your commercial driver’s license. You have to pass all the assessments and ensure that they are recorded properly on the DOT physical form. You may be able to take the exam again if you fall short of any parameter, but you must make sure that you are better prepared to take the exam the next time.

You can always discuss your shortcomings with the examiner, which can help you understand how you can overcome certain limitations and clear the exam satisfactorily in your next attempt itself.

Contact your nearest DOT Physical exam center in Miami to book your exam slot today.