DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate
The DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate, commonly called the DOT medical card, certifies that a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver meets the physical qualifications required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under 49 CFR Part 391. The exam must be performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry. Without a valid medical card, a CDL holder cannot legally operate a CMV in interstate commerce.
Who Needs This
Every driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce must carry a valid DOT medical card. This includes CDL holders, as well as drivers of vehicles with a GVWR over 10,001 pounds, vehicles designed to transport 9-15 passengers for compensation, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding. Intrastate drivers may also be required to hold a DOT medical card depending on state regulations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Driving a CMV without a valid DOT medical card is an out-of-service violation. The driver is immediately prohibited from operating the vehicle until a valid certificate is obtained. Fines for operating without a valid medical certificate range from $1,000 to $2,750 per violation. Employers who allow drivers to operate without valid medical cards face fines up to $16,000 per violation. Repeated violations can lead to a driver's CDL being downgraded by the state DMV.
Key Requirements
Schedule an examination with a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
Pass vision testing with at least 20/40 acuity in each eye (with or without correction) and a 70-degree field of vision in each eye
Pass hearing testing — must perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet or less, or pass an audiometric test with specific frequency thresholds
Meet blood pressure requirements: readings above 140/90 require annual certification; readings above 180/110 result in disqualification until controlled
Complete a urinalysis to screen for underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease
Disclose all medications, medical conditions, and surgical history on the MCSA-5875 examination form for the examiner's review
How CertTracker Automates DOT Medical Card Tracking
Tracks the exact expiration date of each driver's medical card — including shortened certificates for drivers with monitored health conditions — and sends timely renewal alerts
Links each DOT medical card to the driver's CDL record so fleet managers can see at a glance whether both credentials are current
Provides a centralized dashboard that flags any driver whose medical card is expiring within 30, 60, or 90 days, allowing proactive scheduling of re-examinations
Stores scanned copies of the Medical Examiner's Certificate and examination forms, keeping all documentation audit-ready in one place