If you’re in the process of getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL), the Department of Transportation requires a physical exam to ensure you’re fit to drive. Jay Lao, NP, at A+ Total Care in Elko, Nevada, offers the federally mandated CDL physical. The full-service medical clinic is open seven days a week and takes walk-ins. You can also schedule your CDL physical online or over the phone.

request an appointment

What is a commercial driver’s license (CDL)?

A CDL is a special driver’s license that gives you the ability to drive commercial vehicles. A CDL license is classified depending on the size and type of vehicle you intend to operate, including:

  • Class A: tractor trailers
  • Class B: city or school bus
  • Class C: passenger vans

No matter what type of vehicle you plan on driving, in order to get your CDL, you must complete and pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination. A+ Total Care provides this specialized exam.

What are the health requirements for a CDL?

The purpose of the CDL physical is to verify that you’re fit to operate a commercial vehicle now and in the future. It’s a federally mandated test with strict health requirements, including:

  • 20/40 vision in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses
  • Ability to see and distinguish color
  • Can hear a whisper at 5 feet away
  • Blood pressure lower than 160/100; use of blood pressure medication is allowed
  • Diabetes controlled by oral medication or diet, not insulin
  • If you have diabetes, your blood sugar must be 200 mg/dL or less
  • No use of federally prohibited drugs

If you have concerns about the exam, your health care expert at A+ Total Care can answer your questions.

What can I expect during a physical examination?

The health care experts at A+ Total Care treat every patient who walks through the door like family. In addition to checking the required health parameters for your CDL, your health care expert will spend time getting to know you and your health history, so you’ll feel more comfortable and get the best care.

If there’s a health concern that may prevent you from passing your physical, such as elevated blood pressure, your health care expert at A+ Total Care can provide you with treatment options. A+ Total Care also provides primary care medicine and can provide continued medical care for wellness and disease management after your CDL exam.

If you need a physical exam for your CDL, A+ Total Care can help. Call to book your appointment today. The office is open five days a week.