The exam, the report, and the certificate
The DOT physical is the medical exam required under 49 CFR Part 391 (Subpart E) to confirm you're physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
The exam must be performed by a Medical Examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners — an exam from someone not on that list doesn't count, regardless of how thorough it was. Your examiner documents the exam on a Medical Examination Report (Form MCSA-5875) and, if you're qualified, issues you a Medical Examiner's Certificate (Form MCSA-5876). That certificate is what's commonly called your "medical card."
The exam covers standard areas including blood pressure, vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and more. Glasses or contacts correcting your vision to at least 20/40 are acceptable, as are hearing aids that bring you within the hearing standard, and a formal FMCSA exemption process exists for drivers who don't meet the standard vision requirement but can demonstrate a safe driving history.
Your certificate can be shorter than 24 months — and how it's reported to your state is changing
A Medical Examiner's Certificate can be valid for up to 24 months, but your examiner has the discretion to issue it for a shorter period based on your individual health — the date printed on your actual certificate always controls, not the 24-month maximum.
Separately, FMCSA has been rolling out a new system where your exam results are transmitted electronically from your examiner to FMCSA's National Registry, which then forwards your certification status to your state licensing agency to post directly on your CDL driving record. This removes a step that used to require you to personally deliver your paper certificate to your state DMV.
Because that electronic pipeline hasn't been working perfectly everywhere, FMCSA has issued a series of temporary exemptions allowing a paper certificate to serve as valid proof for a limited window after issuance while the system catches up nationwide. These exemption windows have already been adjusted more than once, so the smartest move is to check FMCSA's site directly for the current status rather than relying on a specific date from any single source, including this one.
What every driver should know
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Your examiner must be listed on FMCSA's National Registry. Verify anyone before your exam — it's a quick lookup.
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Certification can last up to 24 months, but your examiner may issue a shorter period based on your health. The date on your certificate controls, not the maximum.
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Exam results are now transmitted electronically from your examiner to FMCSA's National Registry, then to your state licensing agency, which posts your status to your CDL driving record.
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Temporary exemptions currently allow a paper certificate as valid proof for a limited period after issuance while this electronic system rolls out nationwide. These exemption windows have changed more than once — check FMCSA's site for the current status rather than relying on any specific date.
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Check that your own driving record actually reflects your current medical certification. If it shows "not medically qualified" or an expired status, even due to a reporting delay that wasn't your fault, your state can downgrade your CDL — so don't assume it's correct without checking.
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Medical examiners are required to keep your Medical Examination Report and a copy of your certificate for at least 3 years.
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Vision and hearing accommodations are built into the standard. Glasses or contacts correcting to at least 20/40, and hearing aids that bring you within standard, are both acceptable.
Go straight to the source
These links go directly to FMCSA and other official U.S. government resources. Clear To Roll does not operate, control, or maintain any of these websites.