DOT Physical in Houston: How to Show Up Ready

A DOT physical is not pass or fail — it is certified for a length of time. And that length depends mostly on your blood pressure. At Clínica Hispana Airline we perform it walk-in, in Spanish or English, with the certificate issued the same day, at 934 E Tidwell Rd.

If you drive a commercial vehicle, this is what is worth knowing before you come in.

What actually gets checked?

The exam follows FMCSA standards and covers medical history, vision, hearing, blood pressure, a physical exam and a urinalysis.

That urinalysis is not a drug test. It looks for protein, sugar and blood, which flag kidney problems or undiagnosed diabetes. Drug testing is separate, requested by your employer, and we handle it under alcohol and drug testing.

Blood pressure decides the duration

This is the part that surprises most drivers. Under FMCSA criteria:

• Under 140/90: certificate of up to 2 years.
• 140-159 / 90-99: 1-year certificate.
• 160-179 / 100-109: one-time 3-month temporary certificate, to give you time to get it under control.
• 180/110 or above: not certified until it comes down.

That is why a driver with untreated hypertension ends up paying for the exam three times a year instead of once every two years. If that is your situation, controlling your blood pressure is far cheaper — it is what we do in chronic condition care.

Vision and hearing

Vision: at least 20/40 in each eye and both together, with corrective lenses if you use them, plus a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in each eye. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them in.

Hearing: you must perceive a forced whisper at five feet in at least one ear, or meet the audiometry threshold. If you use a hearing aid, bring it.

What to bring

• Your license and your previous medical card, if you have one.
• Glasses or contacts, and hearing aid if you use one.
• A complete list of your medications, with doses.
• If you have sleep apnea: your CPAP compliance report.
• If you are diabetic: your recent lab work, especially your A1C.
• If you have had a cardiac event or surgery: the clearance letter from your specialist.

Bringing documentation for a condition that is already under control is what separates getting certified that day from having to come back.

How to show up in better shape

Skip the coffee and energy drinks before you come. They raise your blood pressure right when we are about to measure it. A well-controlled driver can land in the worst tier over two coffees on the way.

Sleep. Coming in straight off a long shift raises both blood pressure and pulse.

Take your medication as usual. Do not skip it thinking you will test better without it — you will test worse.

Bring your paperwork. It is the most repeated advice on this page because it is what saves the most certificates.

Do I need an appointment or insurance?

Neither. We see drivers walk-in, seven days a week, 9 AM to 9 PM, and no insurance is needed. Ask the price before the exam.

Where we are

934 E Tidwell Rd, Houston, TX 77022, on the north side of the city, with free parking. See the details at DOT physical exam for CDL.

If you have a condition you are worried about, call us first and we will tell you which paperwork to bring.