DOT Physicals in Fairfield, CT

DOCS Urgent Care in Fairfield provides businesses with accurate DOT, or CDL, physicals for all of your employees. Self-employed commercial drivers are welcome to come by as well. At our Fairfield clinic, we welcome walk-in patients every day of the week.

Our medical staff consists of highly-trained professionals. We deliver the best quality of care at affordable costs. We take the majority of health insurances. All D.O.T. physicals done at DOCS Urgent Care in Connecticut are completed by Board Certified, NRCME-certified clinicians.

QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CARE

DOCS URGENT CARE – FAIRFIELD

ADDRESS
525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off
Fairfield, CT 06825

PHONE
203-870-1973

HOURS
Weekdays: 8AM – 6PM
Weekends: CLOSED

What to Know About DOT Physicals

What is a DOT (department of transportation) Physical?

Our Fairfield, CT facility can give you the required DOT Physical in our office. A DOT (Department of Transportation) physical is required for all commercial drivers every two years. It evaluates the mental and physical capabilities of the driver, in order to determine if they are medically fit enough to operate a commercial vehicle. DOT physicals are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and determine if a driver is in good health.

In addition, this physical is necessary to obtain or maintain a CDL (commercial driver’s license).

D.O.T. physicals, a.k.a. CDL physicals, are designed to determine if the driver has any physical, mental, and emotional issues that might impact a driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. D.O.T. medical examiners are specifically trained to interpret the current regulations in order to prevent drivers from being inappropriately disqualified. For more information or to obtain your D.O.T. Physical, stop by our Fairfield, CT urgent care.

ARE CDL PHYSICALS THE SAME AS DOT PHYSICALS?

The physical exam all commercial drivers need to take—the DOT physical exam—is sometimes referred to as the CDL physical exam. The change of name occurs when a commercial driver is looking to take the physical to fulfill requirements for obtaining a CDL (commercial driver’s license). Not all commercial drivers need a CDL, but the majority will need the Medical Examiner’s (ME) Certificate that they receive from a DOT physical.

What do i need to bring to the DOT Physical?

When you visit our Fairfield clinic for your D.O.T. (or CDL) physical, bring: a valid driver’s license, any prescription lenses or contact lenses, hearing aids if needed, list of prescriptions, and medical history. It is required for a driver to list if they have any of the following:

  • Brain injuries
  • Epilepsy/Seizures
  • Hearing loss
  • Diabetes (insulin dependency)
  • Impaired Vision
  • Stroke
  • Missing Limbs
  • Chronic Pain
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Able to recognize colors (red, green, yellow)
  • History of alcoholism or drug use
  • Heart attack or heart disease
  • Kidney disease

What is included in a DOT physical, Aka cdl physical?

Vision

Drivers must have at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses to pass the physical examination and be able to determine colors.

Hearing

Drivers must be able to hear a “forced whisper” at less than five feet away (with or without hearing aids are acceptable during the test).

Blood Pressure/Pulse Rate

Your blood pressure and pulse rate are taken to determine if you have high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats or other cardiovascular disorder. It needs to be below 160/100. (Medications are acceptable.)

Urinalysis

Drivers are required to take a urinalysis to uncover any underlying medical conditions. It helps to detect the early onset conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney infection.

Physical Examination

In the physical examination you will be tested for:

  • General appearance (weight, tremors, drug/alcohol problems)
  • Mouth & Throat (breathing and swallowing)
  • Lungs & Chest (breathing)
  • Abdomen & Organs (unusual masses, hernias, weakness)
  • Vascular System (weak pulse, blood flow, varicose veins)
  • Limbs (Loss or damage, weakness)
  • Skeletal (limitation, tenderness)
  • Neurological (balance, reflexes, speech)

Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A (Hep A)
  • Hepatitis B (Hep B)
  • Polio/ Tetanus/ Typhoid
  • Influenza (Flu)

What if i need to update my vaccinations?

The experts at DOCS Urgent Care in Fairfield, CT are happy to help make sure your vaccinations are current so you’re ready for your D.O.T. physical (CDL physical). Here is a list of Vaccinations that we give in our office:

  • Hepatitis A (Adult)
  • Hepatitis A (Pediatric) 
  • Hepatitis B (Adult)
  • Hepatitis B (Pediatric)
  • Japanese
  • Encephalitis
  • MMR
  • Menactra
  • Zostavax (Shingles)
  • Polio (IPV)
  • Pneumococcal
  • PPD
  • Rabies Vaccination
  • Tetanus Diphtheria (TD)
  • Tetanus Diphtheria
  • Pertussis (TDAP)
  • Typhoid
  • Twinrix (Hep A & B Combination)
  • Typhoid
  • Varicella
  • Yellow Fever
  • Gardasil
  • B-12
  • Ceftriaxone
  • Kenalog-10
  • Phenergan
  • Solu-Medrol
  • Toradol
  • Benadryl

what if i do not pass the dot physical?

If you don’t pass the vision, diabetes, hearing, or physical impairment sections of the D.O.T. Physical, you may be eligible for a driver’s exemption.

Care When You Need It in Fairfield

DOCS Urgent Care of Fairfield is part of the larger DOCS Urgent Care network. A network of professional Urgent Care clinics run by board-certified health care providers. Our goal is to give the highest quality care to our patients while providing affordable care.

Notice

During this surge in COVID-19 cases, our primary focus is meeting the high demand for tests, and we are seeing higher than usual wait times. This means we are unable to answer most phone calls. Please know that our teams are working very hard during this time to care for as many patients as safely as possible. Please click the button below for answers to common questions. We appreciate your understanding.