The DOT Physical and Medical Card: What Drivers and Carriers Need
An expired medical card is one of the easiest violations to get — and one of the easiest to prevent with a little tracking.
The DOT physical
Commercial drivers must pass a physical exam performed by a medical professional listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Passing produces a Medical Examiner's Certificate — the "med card."
How long the card lasts
A medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months, but the examiner can issue a shorter certification when a driver has a condition that needs monitoring. That means not every card lasts two years — you have to track each driver's actual expiration date.
What the carrier must do
- Keep a copy of the medical certificate in the driver's qualification file
- Confirm the examiner was on the National Registry at the time of the exam
- Track expirations and re-collect the card before it lapses
Frequently asked questions
How long is a DOT medical card valid?
Up to 24 months, but a medical examiner may issue a shorter certification when a driver has a condition that requires monitoring.
Where does the medical certificate go?
A copy belongs in the driver qualification file, and the carrier should verify the examiner was listed on the National Registry at the time of the exam.
See where your records stand
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