Do You Need a DOT Medical Card in East Brainerd, TN?

Picture of a commercial driver smiling and sitting in his truck.Is your Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card expiring? Or do you need to have one of these cards issued for the first time? Before you can obtain a new card, you’ll need to undergo a DOT physical exam. Luckily, if you’re in East Brainerd, Tennessee, you can have your commercial driver’s license (CDL) medical exam completed at Erlanger ExpressCare, a trusted urgent care provider that’s been serving patients since 2019.

What Is a DOT Physical?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to undergo a DOT physical at least once every two years to confirm that they’re physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy enough to maintain a CDL. So, what does this physical involve? After speaking with you about your medical history and checking your vitals, a certified medical examiner (CME) will assess your:

  • Eyes, ears, mouth, and throat
  • Spine and nervous system
  • Heart and lungs
  • Extremities
  • General appearance

If you pass the exam, the CME will electronically report your results to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) and issue you a copy of your DOT medical card (also referred to as a medical examiner’s certificate).

DOT Exams Without an Appointment

If you need to undergo a CDL physical to obtain your DOT medical card, simply stop into Erlanger ExpressCare whenever your schedule allows. Our East Brainerd, TN, office—which you’ll find at 1635 Gunbarrel Road—is open every day with extended hours and offers DOT medical exams on a walk-in basis for our patients’ convenience.