DOT Physical Exam - CDL License

If you drive a truck, a bus or any commercial vehicle, you need a current DOT medical certificate to get or renew your CDL. At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Pasadena we do the exam in Spanish or English, no appointment needed, and hand you the certificate when you finish if you meet the requirements.

What is checked in the DOT physical?

The exam follows the format required by the FMCSA (the federal transportation agency). It includes: a health questionnaire and medical history; blood pressure and pulse; a vision test, where you need at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without glasses, and must tell traffic-light colors apart; a hearing test, with the ability to hear a forced whisper at 5 feet; a urinalysis to detect protein, blood or sugar (it is not a drug test); and a general physical exam covering heart, lungs, abdomen, spine and limbs. At the end the physician decides whether you qualify and for how long.

How long is the DOT certificate valid?

Up to 24 months when there are no conditions to monitor. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea or another controlled condition, the certificate may be for one year, three months or less, so the physician can recheck your control more often. Blood pressure is the most common reason for short certificates: a reading of 140/90 or higher usually shortens it, and 180/110 or higher disqualifies you until it comes down.

What if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?

You can pass the exam if your condition is controlled. Bring your medications and, if you have diabetes, your latest A1C result; if you use insulin, the FMCSA requires an additional form from your treating physician. If your blood pressure is high on exam day, the physician can repeat the reading or issue a short certificate while you get it under control; at the same clinic we treat high blood pressure and diabetes.

How much does the DOT exam cost in Pasadena?

We give you the price by phone before you come; no health insurance is needed, and we accept cash and cards. If you need to repeat a measurement or bring extra paperwork, we tell you at the same visit so you do not lose time.

What should I bring?

• A valid driver's license.
• Glasses or hearing aids, if you use them.
• A list of medications with doses.
• If you have diabetes, a recent A1C result; if you use insulin, your physician's form.
• If you use a CPAP for sleep apnea, the device usage report.
• Your previous DOT certificate, if you have one.

What is the visit like?

Walk in during our hours, 9 AM to 9 PM every day. You fill out the health questionnaire, go through the measurements and then see the physician. If you qualify, you leave with your signed medical certificate, ready for Texas DPS and your employer.

Related services

If your company also requires a drug or alcohol test, we do it under drug and alcohol testing. The lab work that complements the checkup is under blood tests.

Medical center near you in Pasadena and Houston, TX

We are a Hispanic clinic in the Houston, TX area: we care for patients across Pasadena and South Houston, South Belt, Genoa, Sagemont, Galena Park, Deer Park, Hobby (Houston) and surrounding communities.