DOT Exam Fails That Could’ve Been Prevented with Better Prep

Failing a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam stops drivers from working until they resolve whatever health issue caused the problem. 

Many of these failures happen because drivers show up unprepared, discovering medical conditions that could have been addressed weeks earlier.

At Extended Care Medical in Dothan, Alabama, we see preventable DOT exam failures throughout the year. Most of these situations develop from issues drivers knew about but didn't handle before their certification deadline.

Blood pressure problems cause many failures

High blood pressure stops drivers from passing their DOT physical when readings exceed safe limits. DOT examiners can’t pass drivers whose blood pressure exceeds 140/90 during the exam.

Start managing it early

You need time to establish blood pressure control before your DOT physical. Starting blood pressure medication the week of your exam won’t help because most medications take several weeks to show full effects.

Regular monitoring at home helps you track patterns and adjust medications with our team’s guidance. Blood pressure can spike during certain times of day or under specific conditions that you might not notice without consistent tracking.

Vision and hearing requirements are stricter than you think

Sensory requirements for commercial driving are nonnegotiable. Even if you hear fine, DOT exams have specific standards examiners must follow.

Testing standards

DOT vision tests require 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction. You also need adequate peripheral vision and the ability to distinguish colors used in traffic signals.

Hearing tests check your ability to perceive a forced whisper at five feet or pass an audiometric test. You could even have mild hearing loss and not realize you’re borderline until exam day.

Get checked beforehand

Eye exams and hearing tests before your DOT physical give you time to address problems. New glasses or hearing aids need adjustment periods that you shouldn’t try to rush.

Some vision problems require specialist referrals and additional testing. Drivers who wait until exam day can miss out on substantial driving time while getting these issues resolved.

Certain medications can disqualify you

Prescription medications can disqualify drivers even when the underlying condition wouldn't. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration maintains specific lists of prohibited substances.

Medications that commonly cause problems include: 

• Anxiety medications
• Certain blood pressure medications
• Specific pain relievers
• Sleep aids

Your prescribing doctor might not understand DOT requirements when choosing medications.

Reviewing your medication list with our team before your official physical helps identify potential conflicts. Some medications have acceptable alternatives that meet both your health needs and DOT standards.

DOT exam preparation prevents costly delays and keeps you working. Schedule a consultation at Extended Care Medical to review your health status before your next DOT physical. Call our Dothan office today or book an appointment online to avoid preventable exam failures.