Core Primary Care Houston provides DOT physical exams for commercial drivers across the greater Houston area. Our physicians are listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, so your DOT medical card is issued by a provider recognized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Walk-ins are welcome, and same-day appointments are available.
If your CDL medical card is expiring or you need a DOT physical to get back on the road, our Houston clinic makes the process simple, fast, and driver-friendly. We also offer DOT physicals at our Sugar Land, Katy, and Needville locations for drivers outside the Houston Medical Center area.
Exams are completed by medical examiners listed on the FMCSA National Registry.
Quick scheduling for drivers who need their CDL medical card renewed fast.
Receive your DOT medical examiner’s certificate after passing your exam.
Serving drivers in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, and Needville.
A DOT physical is a medical examination required by the United States Department of Transportation for anyone who drives a commercial motor vehicle in interstate or intrastate commerce. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets the exam standards and requires that every commercial driver undergo a physical examination at least once every two years to confirm they are medically fit to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
The exam is conducted by a certified medical examiner who is registered on the FMCSA National Registry. Your examiner reviews your medical history, checks vital signs, performs a physical examination of major body systems, and administers a urinalysis to screen for underlying medical conditions. Drivers who pass receive a DOT medical examiner’s certificate, which is required to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license.
Truck drivers, bus drivers, and operators of any commercial vehicle over 10,001 pounds, vehicles transporting hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers are required to maintain a current DOT medical card. Driving a commercial vehicle without a valid certificate puts your CDL and your livelihood at risk.
Any commercial driver operating in or through the Houston area who holds or is applying for a commercial driver’s license must complete a DOT physical exam to obtain or renew their CDL medical card. This includes:
If you are unsure about your vehicle or route DOT physical requirement, bring your current license and any prior medical certification to your appointment. Our certified medical examiners can clarify your status and complete the dot physical exam houston requires in the same visit.
Your provider reviews your full medical history including any diagnosed conditions, past surgeries, and current medications. Bring a complete list of all prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs you take regularly. Some medications affect your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely, and your examiner needs to know your full medication picture before certifying you.
Conditions that may require additional review include hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, and vision or hearing impairments. Having a diagnosed condition does not automatically disqualify a driver. Your examiner assesses each case individually based on FMCSA guidelines.
The physical examination covers vision, hearing, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, respiratory function, neurological status, musculoskeletal condition, and abdominal health. Our examiner assesses each system to certify that the driver is physically capable of driving a commercial vehicle safely under federal standards.
Vision requirements: 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction, at least 70 degrees peripheral vision, and the ability to distinguish traffic signal colors. Hearing requirements: ability to perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear at 5 feet or less.
Blood pressure must be below 180/110 to certify for any duration. Drivers with readings between 140/90 and 179/109 are typically certified for one year with a note to follow up with their primary care physician.
Every DOT physical includes a urinalysis. You will provide a urine sample on the day of the exam, which screens for glucose, protein, blood, and other markers that may indicate undiagnosed medical conditions. The urinalysis required during the DOT physical is a health screening only, not a DOT drug test.
DOT drug testing and alcohol testing are separate processes governed by different FMCSA regulations. Drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers is conducted through an employer-managed consortium or third-party administrator, not as part of the physical exam itself. If your employer requires drug testing before certification, we can coordinate that through our drug testing services at the same visit.
FMCSA sets the federal medical standards that all certified medical examiners must apply during a DOT physical. Our Houston providers follow the 49 CFR Part 391.41 standards for commercial driver physical qualifications. Key requirements include:
Our examiners are listed on the FMCSA national registry, which means your certificate is issued by a national registry certified medical examiner in compliance with federal law. Texas drivers and interstate carriers accept no other certification.
Commercial drivers are required to undergo DOT drug testing and alcohol testing as a condition of their commercial driver’s license. This is separate from the DOT physical exam. Core Primary Care provides DOT drug test collection at our Houston clinic as a standalone service or in combination with your physical exam appointment.
DOT drug testing screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). Alcohol testing uses a breath alcohol technician (BAT) and a federally approved evidential breath testing device. All results are reported to the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which employers and safety officers use to verify driver compliance.
If you are enrolled in a random drug and alcohol testing consortium through your employer, your consortium administrator handles the random selection and testing schedule. Ask our staff about individual or employer consortium enrollment if your company does not currently have a testing program in place.
When you pass your DOT physical exam, your examiner completes the Medical Examination Report form and issues a DOT medical examiner’s certificate, also called a CDL medical card. This card must be carried with you while driving a commercial vehicle and submitted to your state licensing agency to maintain your commercial driver’s license.
Medical cards are issued for periods of up to 24 months. Drivers with certain controlled medical conditions such as hypertension or sleep apnea may receive a shorter certification period of 12 months or less, requiring more frequent physical exams to maintain compliance. Your examiner will explain the certification period and any follow-up requirements before you leave.
If you are completing your initial CDL physical to apply for a commercial driver’s license, bring your current state driver’s license and any medical records relevant to conditions we need to review. The medical examination report must be filed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the CDL application process.
Most drivers need their DOT physical done fast, on their schedule, without spending half a day in a waiting room. Core Primary Care offers same-day appointments and walk-ins welcome for DOT physicals at our Houston clinic. We keep wait times short because we know your schedule matters.
We are not an urgent care walk-in that sees DOT exams as an afterthought. Our examiners are primary care physicians who manage the chronic conditions that commonly affect commercial drivers: hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular health. If your physical exam reveals a condition that needs follow-up or treatment to maintain certification, you can schedule that care with the same provider on the spot.
Core Primary Care also coordinates with your employer’s drug testing requirements, handles prior authorization for condition-related exemptions, and provides documentation your consortium or fleet safety officer needs for driver compliance files. We have been a trusted care provider for Houston workers and families for nearly 50 years.
Commercial drivers spend long hours behind the wheel and often skip routine wellness visits because of their schedules. The DOT physical is one of the few medical exams that puts a driver in front of a physician regularly. Our providers use that opportunity to check your overall health, identify medical conditions early, and address anything that could affect your certification or your long-term health.
If you do not have a primary care physician, our Houston clinic can serve as your ongoing care provider after your DOT physical. We offer physicals, preventive care, and chronic disease management under one roof. Drivers who stay current with primary care tend to maintain their DOT certification longer because conditions like hypertension and sleep apnea are caught and treated before they become disqualifying.
To complete your DOT physical exam at our Houston clinic, bring the following:
You will provide a urine sample during the exam. Drink fluids before your appointment so you are ready. The physical exam itself typically takes 30-45 minutes depending on medical complexity.
Core Primary Care provides DOT physicals at four locations across the greater Houston area:
DOT physicals in Houston at our Medical Center office, serving drivers in the Houston Medical Center, Galleria, Westchase, Bellaire, Meyerland, and Greenway Plaza areas.
DOT physical exams in Sugar Land, serving commercial drivers in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Stafford, and Fort Bend County.
DOT physicals in Katy, serving drivers in Katy, Cinco Ranch, Cypress, Fulshear, and western Harris County.
DOT physical exams in Needville, serving drivers in Needville, Rosenberg, East Bernard, and rural Fort Bend County.
Most DOT physicals take 30-45 minutes at our Houston clinic. Drivers with complex medical histories or conditions requiring additional review may take longer. Walk-in appointments are accepted but scheduling online reduces your wait time.
DOT physical costs vary depending on your insurance coverage. Many health insurance plans cover preventive physical exams. Contact our office before your appointment and we can verify your coverage. Self-pay rates are available. We do not let cost be a reason a driver cannot maintain their certification.
A standard DOT medical examiner’s certificate is valid for up to 24 months. Drivers with certain conditions such as controlled hypertension or treated sleep apnea may receive a 12-month or shorter certification requiring more frequent exams. Your examiner explains the certification period before the exam is complete.
Texas intrastate commercial drivers are subject to both federal FMCSA standards and Texas Department of Transportation requirements. Most commercial vehicle drivers operating within Texas are still required to undergo a DOT physical and maintain a valid medical card. The specific requirements depend on vehicle weight, passenger count, and cargo type.
Not automatically. Your examiner reviews each medication individually against FMCSA guidelines. Some medications are disqualifying if they impair alertness or motor control. Others are acceptable with documentation. Bring your full medication list including dosages to your appointment. Never stop a prescribed medication before your exam without consulting your prescribing physician.
Drivers with diagnosed and treated sleep apnea can be certified if they demonstrate CPAP compliance. Bring your CPAP compliance report (typically a 30 or 90-day download from the device) to your exam. Drivers with untreated sleep apnea may be required to undergo a sleep study before certification. Our providers can help you navigate the FMCSA sleep apnea guidelines.
Your CDL medical card is how you prove you can safely operate a commercial vehicle. Let it expire and you are off the road. Core Primary Care Houston makes it easy to stay compliant. Walk-ins welcome. Appointments available same day in most cases. Book online today or call (713) 636-2621 to schedule your DOT physical exam. Serving commercial drivers across Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Needville, and the greater Houston area.
Contact us for any questions about the exam process, drug testing requirements, or what to bring. Our staff is familiar with FMCSA compliance requirements and can answer driver questions before your appointment.
