What the DOT Physical Covers

1. Vision

Drivers are required to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. They are also required to have at least 70” peripheral in the horizontal meridian in each eye.

2. Hearing

Drivers must be able to distinguish sounds in what is known as a “forced whisper” at a distance of 5ft or less, with or without a hearing aid.

3. Blood pressure/pulse rate

The medical examiner will check the driver's blood pressure and pulse to look for high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats. BP at or below 139/89 is consider normal. Stage 1 Hypertension is a reading of 149/90-159/99

Stage 2 Hypertension is a reading of 160/100-179/109

Stage 3 Hypertension is a reading of 180/100 or above

4. Urinalysis

A urinalysis is required. This is not a drug test. The test looks for indications of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.

5. Physical Examination

The physical exam will cover a fourteen different categories:

General appearance
Skin
Eyes
Ears
Mouth/throat
Heart
Lungs/chest
Abdomen
Genito-urinary system including hernias
Back/Spine
Extremities
Neurological system including reflexes
Gate
Vascular system