When trying to complete something as crucial as commercial vehicle drivers, a medical exam called the DOT physical to obtain a DOT medical card can be a daunting experience for first-timers. To not only have to worry about a physical exam, oblivious as to what will be happening and asking of you, but also worry about the costs.
In general, the cost of a DOT medical card is included within the price of the DOT physical exam. The physical exam cost depends on where you live and who will be the performing FMCSA certified medical examiner. However, on average, the price of a physical exam can average from $50-$226.
The price of the physical exam can be daunting to see. However, for the price, there are many benefits to receiving the exams and other various options that will help determine the pricing of your exam. Keep reading to learn more about different options for a cost-efficient physical exam.
How Much Does A DOT Medical Card Cost?
In most cases, a DOT physical exam is paid out of pocket as most insurances do not typically cover a CDL physical. So, out of pocket, you will have to pay around $50-226, depending on where you are conducting your exam.
There are, however, three options as to where you can have your physical performance:
- Local provider: Completing your DOT physical exam locally ensures that you will have your exam completed in time and prevents traveling further out than you need to.
- Out of state, nearest to you: If you cannot find a certified medical examiner to complete the physical examination within your state, there are websites such as quicktransportssolutions.com where you can quickly see which medical examiners are certified in what state.
- CVS: CVS, within your state, conducts DOT physicals and averages to a price of around $109 out of pocket and provides follow-up physicals for an estimated $35.
Having a DOT physical exam as a commercial vehicle driver can have many significant benefits for your health and career as a CDL driver. Keep reading to learn more about if getting a DOT card is worth the fee and the various benefits of getting a DOT card.
Is Getting A DOT Card Worth The Fee?
The price can scare a lot of commercial drivers away. So the question lies, is it worth it paying all of this money for a DOT card. For many commercial vehicle drivers, the price and physical exam are worth it for the DOT card.
Benefits of Having A DOT Card
The cost, especially out of pocket, can easily spook someone from wanting to have a DOT physical completed. However, contrary to belief, many benefits come with completing the DOT physical exam and receiving your DOT card. Continue reading to learn about the four benefits of having your DOT card.
Ability to File A Waiver
Suppose you happen to have a medical condition that could potentially get you disqualified from receiving your DOT card. In that case, there is a chance that you can be exempted from being disqualified by filing a waiver.
For example, if you happened to lose an arm or leg, you would still have a chance to qualify for the DOT card by having to perform a skills performance evaluation to determine whether or not you would be eligible. In these given scenarios, you would need to provide additional documentation.
Apply, and Renew for a DOT Card Anywhere
You can perform your DOT physical form in any state and try to qualify for the DOT card. When it comes time to renew your DOT card, which is within two years, you can also renew from any state.
So, if you qualified for a DOT card in one state, then that does not mean that you have to renew in that same state. For example, suppose two years prior, you had your DOT physical in North Carolina. In that case, you can have your updated physical in Texas as long as an FMCSA does a certified medical examiner.
Two-Year Certification
After you’ve completed the exam and are qualified for the DOT medical card, your information will be kept on file. You will be certified for two years before renewing another DOT medical card. Also, the physical exam takes an average of 30-45 minutes from start to finish.
Depending on if you are to have a pre-existing condition or any other health concerns, there is a possibility that your renewal will be slightly less than the two-year certification. For the performing medical examiner, this is to ensure annual monitoring of your health.
Major Job Opportunities
After the physical exam, receiving a DOT medical card has significant career benefits as a CDL driver. Having a DOT medical card validates both you and those who hire you that you are well equipped for the job and are not a liability. You can also be shown to be more qualified by receiving a higher-paying job and a CDL driver.
Closing
You have now learned about the cost of a DOT medical card and the various options to receive a physical exam. You have also known about some of the significant benefits of completing your DOT physical exam and receiving a DOT medical card.