👷Why are local companies like ESI, Meta, Micron and hundreds of other companies across the Treasure Valley requesting DOT Physicals for their employees, even though they don’t have a CDL or drive a vehicle over 10,000lbs?  In fact Most of these employees are driving company pickup trucks!

As you can guess, it has to do with Safety.🦺

🛻 These companies want to make sure their drivers are Mentally & Physically Fit to drive their vehicles (no matter what size the vehicle is).  So they send their driver to get a DOT Physical Exam to obtain the Medical Certificate (called MCSA 5876).

Quick Example:  I had a driver come in the other day with a history of Seizures.  Seizures are a Major concern with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The FMCSA says a driver must be seizure free and off anticonvulsant medications for 10 years before they can be considered for a Medical Certificate!

The driver had no clue about this and was pretty shocked when I told him, you need to wait another 8 years! He said “I don’t drive a semi-truck, I drive a Ford F150”!  I told him, your company has chosen the Highest Standard of Safety when it comes to driving one of their vehicles. It’s not about the size of the vehicle, it’s about your safety and the safety of the general public.

Now, imagine if this was your driver, and you didn’t use this as your standard…what if they  caused an accident!

This is an extreme example, but I see many cases like this every day.

Whether it’s uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled sleep apnea, or drivers taking certain medications that are prohibited by the FMCSA. Someone needs to make sure your drivers are safe…for your company’s sake (liability), and the general public’s sake.

Does this mean you should get rid of that employee?  No!  It just means they shouldn’t be driving a company vehicle if they have a serious health concern.  

Does My Company Get To See The Details Of Their Health?

No.  Under the HIPAA Guidelines (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), you don’t have access to your drivers health details (unless they give you permission).  But, you don’t need to know their personal health details, all you need to know is “Are they eligible for a DOT Medical Certificate or not!”.  

What Do You Check For During The Exam?:

Height

Weight

Blood Pressure

Urinalysis (this is not a drug test, it’s looking for Diabetes).

Hearing 

Vision

Skin, eyes, ears, mouth, lungs, 

Abdomen

Extremities/Joints

Neurological system

Gait

Vascular System

So What Happens At The End Of Their Exam?

At the end of their physical exam, the driver receives a Medical Certificate or Medical Card (form MCSA 5876) that signifies they are fit to drive, and you (the employer) get a copy of that to file away.

With a Corporate Account you will have access to a Company Portal, where medical certificates are emailed to you immediately after the exam.  You will also be able to see all drivers who have had an exam, and when they need to renew. This way there is no lapse in coverage.

How Long Does A Medical Certificate Last?

If your employee is healthy, the maximum they can obtain a DOT Medical Card is 2 Years.

How Do We Pay For Our Exams?

If you are a smaller company (less than 75 drivers locally) we can take direct payment, you can call and pay over the phone, or we can send you a link to pay for your drivers.

If you are a larger company we can bill you once per month.

How Do We Get Started?

➡️ If this is something you would like to install into your business to decrease work place accidents  and increase safety and compliance email me at [email protected] or  We can chat on the phone at 208-283-2876

🧑🏻‍⚕️I’m Dr. Omar Anguiano Nationally Certified Medical Examiner for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. I practice in Meridian Idaho, and also have locations in Boise, and Caldwell.