DOT / CDL Physicals

Custom Health Services’ Promise includes:

1. Maintaining NRCME Certification.
2. Adhering to the guidelines of medical standards set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations.
3. Registering qualified drivers in the Federal Database.
4. Electronically submitting completed Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MEC) to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division in Santa Fe.
5. Electronically uploading completed Medical Examiner’s Reports (MER) and MEC to employer’s designated results portal.
6. Utilizing electronic forms to ensure legibility and improved compliance.

Physical Exam evaluations are partially based on:

1. Vision in both eyes, as well as each eye individually, to ensure the minimum of 20/40 is achieved. The use of glasses or contacts are allowed.
2. The ability to distinguish colors of traffic signals.
3. Perception of a forced whisper at a distance of at least 5 feet.
4. Measuring blood pressure with an allowable 140/90. The use of prescription medication to achieve this threshold is permitted.
5. Evaluating an applicant with diabetes that is controlled through diet or medication. Diabetes controlled through insulin injections may need a federal waiver.
6. Measuring to ensure that blood sugar is not higher than 200 mg/dl.
7. Evaluating the use of Schedule I drugs, including amphetamines, narcotics, or any habit-forming drugs that are not permitted.

Before You Visit – Conversations You Should Have with Your Doctor

As a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver, you know you are driving a vehicle that is capable of causing serious harm. You understand that you are equally responsible for the safety of others, and driving a CMV is very different from driving a personal vehicle. It takes skill, knowledge, and a certain level of physical fitness beyond what is required for a passenger car.  As a CMV driver, you need to talk to your primary care physician (PCP) about the type of work you do and the physical qualification requirements you must meet to safely operate a CMV.   Here are some questions and issues to help in this discussion with your doctor.

1. Tell your PCP what you do, job responsibilities, and the tasks you perform. Be sure to include the driving and non-driving tasks, such as the inspections, load redistribution, the need to apply chains, etc. By doing this, your doctor will be able to make a better assessment of your health and performance of your job.
2. Ask what affects your injury or illness will have on your job.  What are the direct and indirect impacts on your ability to perform all driving and non-driving tasks safely?
3. Ask about your treatment. Specifically, ask what you must undergo to relieve the symptoms or treat the disease and how the treatment may impact your ability to drive a CMV safely.
4. Talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. Ask about equally effective alternate treatments that will not have an adverse impact on safe driving. Would any of these fit your driving requirements better?
5. Ask about the medications your doctor prescribes Will the side effects cause sleepiness, fatigue, drowsiness, lack of focus or concentration, or a decreased reaction time? Will the side effects interfere with safe driving?
6. Inform your doctor of the medications you are taking Identify prescription, non-prescription, dietary supplements, or herbal remedies, and discuss whether the medications will interact and cause any unsafe side effects. Some medications can interact with one another to cause serious adverse reactions and interfere with the effectiveness of another medication. Don’t let your treatment be undone because your medication doesn’t work properly!
7. Discuss the extent of treatment and how long you must take your medication
8. Ask what you can do to improve your chances for recovery Simple changes like, losing weight, exercising, stop smoking, drinking more water, improving your eating habits, or getting more sleep can make great improvements in your overall health.