DOT Certification
Overview
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical health examination. Whether a driver is physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to drive a CMV is determined by a DOT physical. Our chiropractor Dr. John may conduct DOT exams for certification and are certified by the Department of Transportation as Medical Examiners (ME).
New DOT Medical Certification Forms: MCSA-5875 & MCSA-5876
The forms have a new expiry date of 11/30/2021. The FMCSA website provides links to PDF versions of the forms:
PLEASE FILL THIS PAPERWORK OUT BEFORE ARRIVING AT OUR OFFICE~
Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875
The date found on the top right corner of the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875, and Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876, is the date of expiration for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved information collection 2126-0006, which includes the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876.
Previously the expiration date was 08/31/2018.
Previously the expiration date was 09/30/2019.
Information from NRCME Support: The current forms posted on the FMCSA website are scheduled to expire on August 31, 2018. However, FMCSA has submitted the information collection renewal request for approval. Since the information collection renewal request has been submitted, we have approval to continue the use of the forms that are currently posted on the FMCSA website until we receive notification from OMB. Once the information collection renewal has been approved, new versions of the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-587,5 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876, will be posted on the FMCSA website indicating that the collection has been renewed. What does this mean to Medical Examiners and Drivers? Continue using the forms with the expiration date of August 31st, (Form MCSA-5875 & Form MCSA-5876) until FMCSA publishes new forms. DOTPhysicalDOCTORS will update this website when new forms are available.
Extension of Compliance Dates for the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule — see FMCSA official website explanation. The interim final rule has been extended through June 21, 2021. What does this mean to Drivers and Medical Examiners? Continue using the original paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA-5876, for all qualified drivers, including Commercial Learner’s Permit/Commercial Driver’s License applicants/holders. Continue submitting paper copies of Medical Examiner’s Certificates, Form MCSA-5876, to State Driver’s Licensing Agencies.
The Physical Qualifications Have Not Changed
The physical qualifications (FMCSA regulations and guidelines) to be applied by a medical examiner to qualify drivers for a medical card have not changed, even though the forms have changed since 2015.
The differences you’ll notice:
The forms ask for more information than the previous forms used before the changes in 2015. Medical examiners are required to submit more information to support their qualifying decisions, especially where medical conditions exist. This means medical examiners are being more thorough than some used to be regarding existing medical conditions.
What this means for drivers:
Be well prepared before you get to your DOT physical appointment.
Choose your medical examiner wisely!
- Find a DOT physical doctor who understands the big picture of commercial driving and the lifestyle challenges you face.
- You want to be evaluated by an medical examiner who considers your overall health condition and fitness to drive.
- Just going to any examiner who may disqualify you on a checklist item on the form may cost you lost time, lost money, or even your job.