You cannot use just any doctor for your DOT physical. The examiner must be listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, a federal database of clinicians who have completed approved DOT exam training and passed the National Registry test.
Use the National Registry search
The official search tool is at nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov. Enter your ZIP code and a search radius. The tool returns examiners in clinics, urgent-care centers, occupational-medicine practices, chiropractic offices, and primary-care offices that are certified to perform the DOT exam.
Pricing varies widely
The same DOT physical can cost $65 in a rural primary-care office and $185 in a major-metro urgent care. Call ahead and confirm the cash price. Some chains (Concentra, US HealthWorks, NextCare, AFC Urgent Care) post nationally consistent pricing of $80 to $140. Truck-stop clinics in major freight corridors often run $90 to $120.
What to bring
Bring a list of all current medications (with dosages); a list of any specialist physicians you see (cardiologist, sleep medicine, endocrinologist); your most recent eyeglass or contact lens prescription if you wear corrective lenses; your CPAP compliance report if you use one; and your most recent A1C result if diabetic. The examiner will ask for all of this and the visit will be faster if you have it ready.
What to expect during the exam
The visit takes 20 to 40 minutes. Vision and hearing are screened first, then blood pressure (sitting, after 5 minutes of rest — if it's high, ask for a re-check at the end of the visit when you're calmer). The examiner reviews your medical history, performs a brief hands-on exam, and issues either a 24-month card, a 12-month conditional card, or a temporary 3-month card pending additional testing.
If you're denied
If you're disqualified for a specific medical condition, you may be eligible for a federal exemption (for vision, diabetes, or seizure disorders). The exemption process is administered by the FMCSA and typically takes 4 to 8 months. See our DOT physical guide for the medical-condition details.