How Many Times Can You Fail a DOT Physical?

As a commercial driver, you must complete a DOT physical exam every two years. This physical examination verifies that your health status enables safe commercial vehicle operation. After passing your physical, you’ll obtain a DOT medical card that certifies your abilities from a qualified medical examiner. 

Sometimes, drivers fail this exam, which thwarts their careers. How many times can you fail a DOT physical before it permanently impacts your career? FMCA Filings provides pertinent details. 

What Happens During a DOT Physical?

A typical DOT physical consists of the following assessments.

• A physical examination determines your overall health and identifies anything that could negatively impact your performance. 
• A vision test concludes that you have 20/40 acuity in both eyes. 
• A hearing test determines whether you can pick up on soft sounds like whispers from a distance. 
• A urine sample provides information about drug usage and underlying health conditions. 
• Blood pressure tests show whether you have hypertension or irregular heartbeats that could affect your safety while driving. 

If you report certain symptoms related to daytime fatigue or discomfort upon awakening, your examiner may call for you to undergo a sleep apnea test. The examiner will also consider your full medical history and other present medical conditions. 

Who Needs DOT Physicals?

All drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles need DOT physicals. Without exams performed by qualified medical professionals, they cannot obtain the necessary medical certifications for legal vehicle operation. DOT physicals and medical cards ensure that all drivers can safely operate their vehicles without endangering other occupants on the road. 

Basic Physical Disqualifiers

Certain health conditions may disqualify you from passing your physical exam. These conditions may affect your ability to react to certain situations or prevent you from picking up on important safety cues while driving. Some basic physical disqualifiers include:

• A history of seizures
• Untreated hernias
• Heart conditions
• Any condition that could cause loss of conscious
• Untreated sleep apnea 
• Hearing or vision impairments
• Untreated blood pressure issues or diabetes

If an examiner finds that you have conditions including but not limited to those listed, they may disqualify you from obtaining a medical card. 

How Many Times Can You Fail a DOT Physical?

How many times can you fail a DOT physical if you failed your first exam? You can retake your physical exam once or twice more; however, use caution during your third attempt. 

The FMCSA and DOT don’t permit “doctor shopping.” Doctor shopping refers to actively seeking more lenient examiners to ensure you obtain your medical card regardless of your health conditions. Remember that transportation authorities retain records of all your previous examinations. 

The FMCSA and DOT also forbid omitting or changing information during subsequent exams. 

Obtain The Necessary Permits Through FMCA Filings

How many times can you fail a DOT physical? At FMCA Filings, we recommend seeking only one subsequent second opinion following a physical exam failure. Learn more about how long a medical card remains active and other details regarding DOT permits through FMCA Filings.