If you operate big rigs, then you already know that you must have a DOT medical card to be able to drive. And it’s important to keep your card up to date so it won’t expire because there could be some consequences.
Commercial driving privileges could be suspended depending on the state if you let the DOT medical card expire.
Personally, I would never want my driving privileges to get revoked. That could cost me a lot of money and time, so it’s important to stay on top of the renewal date.
Consequences for an Expired Dot Medical Card
The penalty for an expired medical DOT card varies from state to state, some states will suspend driving privileges immediately, while others can give a grace period to renew.
Repercussions for expired DOT medical card
- Could be forced to take medical evaluation over
- Driving privileges could be suspended immediately
- Time and money could be lost by retesting
Some states can also make a driver go through the entire testing process all over again if anyone fails to renew the DOT card in a timely manner. I wouldn’t want to go through that and you shouldn’t either.
For instance, Kansas requires drivers to retest if a DOT card has expired more than 90 days. Going through those hurdles to get certified again doesn’t sound like fun.
Most states do not have a fine associated with an expired DOT medical card, but I wouldn’t want to retest. Having to go through a retest would cost myself money and time. That could be valuable time lost, especially when I could’ve been on the road making money.
Steps to Renewing Your Dot Medical Card
As truck drivers, the DOT medical card is good for 24 months and it’s best to get it renewed before it’s close to expiring. When you go to get the card renewed, you’ll undergo a medical exam just like when you originally got your DOT medical card.
As long as the doctor is Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) certified, then they’ll be able to conduct a renewal exam. Be prepared for a very thorough medical exam, as the doctor will be checking to see if anything has changed health wise. The examiner will ask about any recent surgeries or if you’re on any new medications. They’ll also be asked if any new medical conditions have arisen since the last certification.
Medical conditions the DOT examiner will look for:
- High blood pressure
- Epilepsy
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Mental health issue
A urinalysis will also be done, but it won’t specifically check for drugs, but it will check for protein, blood, and sugar. These could highlight an underlying health issue if they came back with some type of negative results.
What If I Don’t Pass the DOT Physical Exam?
After an examination is finished, the examiner will notify you of a few different results of your exam. If the examiner passes you, they’ll decide if you meet the requirements for a two-year certificate or if periodic monitoring is needed.
If you don’t meet the standards for your DOT medical certification, then the examiner will either determine an “incomplete examination” or “determination pending.” And the examiner will explain why they’re making that decision.
Medical conditions such as hearing loss, vision loss, epilepsy, and loss of a limb could disqualify you from getting your medical certification. But if hearing or vision can be corrected then there’s a chance you can still pass the medical examination on another visit. It’s ultimately up to the medical examiner to determine if that’s possible.
Keep Your Medical Card Somewhere Safe
After passing the exam, make sure you file it with the state agency and the original copy inside the truck for at least 10 days whenever you drive. Once that time period passes you will not be required to carry the certificate. I like keeping everything safe and in one place, so it’s no problem being able to find it. That just makes everything easier.
However, if a skills assessment was taken to get the certificate, then it will need to be kept when you drive. Bottom line, keep it somewhere that it can easily be found.
Conclusion
I don’t believe in creating headaches and it’s best to make sure your DOT card stays active and you don’t need to renew it. Letting it lapse could cause a lot of problems in the future and that’s something you don’t want to deal with at all.
