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DOT Physical With Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, or High Blood Pressure: What to Bring

KH
By Kee Health·October 2026·5 min read
Driver in a hi-vis vest checking in at the Kee Health front desk with his paperwork
Quick answer

If you have sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, a heart condition, or a vision issue, bring recent records from the provider who treats it. For sleep apnea, that means a CPAP compliance report. For insulin-treated diabetes, it means the MCSA-5870 form. For heart conditions, a recent letter from your cardiologist. Missing records are the most common reason an exam cannot be finished the same day.

For most drivers, a DOT physical is quick. If you manage a health condition, the exam depends on more than your vitals. The medical examiner needs proof that the condition is under control. This guide covers what to bring for the conditions we see most often in Waunakee.

The basics, in brief

Every driver needs a photo ID, glasses, contacts, or hearing aids if you use them, a full medication list with doses and prescribers, and your current medical card if you are renewing. For the complete list, see our DOT physical what-to-bring checklist.

Why records matter when you have a condition

Your exam is done by a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry. You fill out the health history on the Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875, and the examiner reviews it with you. A medical card can last up to 24 months. When a condition needs closer watching, the examiner may issue a shorter card. Without the right records, they may not be able to certify you that day at all.

What to bring for common conditions

Gather these 1 to 2 weeks ahead. Some forms need a signature from your own doctor, and that can take time.

Condition

Sleep apnea

  1. A CPAP or BiPAP compliance report. Most machines or their apps can print one.
  2. We ask for the last 90 days of use.
  3. A common benchmark is at least 4 hours a night on 70% of nights. Your examiner makes the final call.

Recently diagnosed? Bring your sleep study and the date you started treatment.

Condition

Diabetes

  1. Your most recent A1c, ideally from the last 6 months, and recent glucose logs or CGM reports.
  2. If you use insulin: the ITDM Assessment Form, MCSA-5870, filled out and signed by the clinician who prescribes your insulin.
  3. Your DOT exam must take place within 45 days of that signature.

Insulin users need 3 months of electronic glucose records to qualify for the maximum 12-month card.

Condition

High blood pressure

  1. Take your blood pressure medicine as usual that morning.
  2. Bring your medication list and any recent home readings.
  3. Skip extra coffee, energy drinks, and nicotine before the exam.

See how your reading affects card length below.

Condition

Heart conditions

  1. A recent letter from your cardiologist saying your condition is stable and you can drive safely.
  2. Your latest EKG, stress test, or echo report, as your condition calls for.
  3. If you take a blood thinner such as warfarin, bring a recent INR result.
Condition

Vision or hearing

  1. The standard is 20/40 in each eye and both eyes together, with or without glasses, plus a 70-degree side field.
  2. If one eye does not meet it, bring a Vision Evaluation Report, MCSA-5871, from your eye doctor, signed within 45 days.
  3. Bring any hearing exemption or SPE certificate you hold.

How blood pressure affects your card

FMCSA guidance uses these ranges when deciding how long a card lasts:

  • Under 140/90: you may get up to 2 years. If you are on blood pressure medicine, expect a card of 1 year at most.
  • 140 to 159 over 90 to 99: usually a 1-year card.
  • 160 to 179 over 100 to 109: a one-time 3-month card. If you get it down to 140/90 or lower within that time, you can be certified for 1 year.
  • 180/110 or higher: you cannot be certified until it is 140/90 or lower. After that, cards are issued every 6 months.

Tips for a smooth visit

  • Bring originals or clear copies. Records on a phone screen can be hard to review. Printed reports are best.
  • Call ahead if you are unsure. Text or call us at least 24 hours before your exam and we will tell you what to bring.
  • Plan extra time. Most exams take about 30 minutes. Complex health histories can take longer.

How Kee Health helps with DOT physicals

We do DOT physicals in Waunakee with a nationally registered medical examiner. We see drivers from Waunakee, Madison, and across Dane County, including many drivers who manage one of the conditions above.

Questions about your records? Text or call us at (608) 207-8212.

Book your DOT physical→

Frequently asked questions

Can I pass a DOT physical with sleep apnea?

Many drivers with sleep apnea do. Bring a CPAP compliance report showing your use over the last 90 days. A common benchmark is at least 4 hours a night on 70% of nights. The examiner reviews it and decides whether you qualify and how long your card lasts.

Do I need the MCSA-5870 form if I do not use insulin?

No. The MCSA-5870 form is only for drivers who use insulin. If you manage diabetes with diet or pills, bring your most recent A1c and glucose logs instead.

Can I pass a DOT physical with high blood pressure?

Often, yes. A reading under 140/90 can qualify for a card of up to 2 years, or up to 1 year if you take blood pressure medicine. Higher readings usually mean a shorter card. At 180/110 or higher, you cannot be certified until it comes down.

What should I bring if I have a heart condition?

Bring a recent letter from your cardiologist saying your condition is stable and you can drive safely, plus your latest EKG, stress test, or echo report as your condition calls for. If you take warfarin, bring a recent INR result.

This article is for general education and is not medical or legal advice. FMCSA rules and guidance can change, and your medical examiner makes the final decision. Talk with your examiner or your own health care provider about your situation.