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Winter Trucking in Wisconsin: Staying DOT-Ready All Season

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By Kee Health·November 2026·5 min read
Kee Health provider fitting a blood pressure cuff on a patient's arm at our Waunakee clinic
Quick answer

To stay DOT-ready this winter, check your medical card date now and book your DOT physical a few weeks early, because there is no grace period. Keep your blood pressure in range, since 140/90 or higher can mean a shorter card. Protect your sleep and break up long hours in the seat. A DOT physical must be done by a certified medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry, and we have one in Waunakee.

Snow on I-39 and I-94, short days, and long waits at the dock make a Wisconsin winter hard on drivers. Here is how to keep your medical card, and your body, ready for the season.

Why winter can catch your card off guard

A DOT medical card can last up to 24 months. It can be shorter if the examiner needs to watch a condition.

  • No grace period. The card expires at midnight on its date. After that, you are not medically certified to drive a commercial vehicle, and Wisconsin DMV may downgrade your CDL.
  • Paper is no longer proof. Since October 12, 2026, a paper card no longer counts as proof in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DMV usually has your exam information within about 48 hours.
  • Busy season. Holiday freight and storms eat up time off. Book before your date, not on it.

4 ways to stay DOT-ready this winter

Step 1

Check your card date today

  1. Check the date on your last certificate or your Wisconsin DMV record.
  2. Book a few weeks before it expires, not the day of.
  3. Bring the items on our DOT physical checklist.
Step 2

Keep your blood pressure in range

  1. Under 140/90 can mean a card for up to 2 years.
  2. 140 to 159 over 90 to 99 usually means a 1-year card. 160 to 179 over 100 to 109 may mean a one-time 3-month card.
  3. Take your medicine as prescribed, including on exam day.
Step 3

Protect your sleep

  1. Aim for 7 or more hours. A dark, cool, quiet sleeper helps.
  2. If you use CPAP, use it every night and bring your usage records.
  3. Loud snoring or daytime sleepiness? Tell your doctor. Sleep apnea does not automatically disqualify you.
Step 4

Break up the sitting

  1. Use your 30-minute break to walk for 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Stretch your neck, back, hips, and calves before you climb in.
  3. Use three points of contact on icy cab steps.

On the road: snow, ice, and your hours

  • Slow down. Wisconsin's CDL manual says to cut speed by about a third on wet roads and by half or more on packed snow. On ice, slow to a crawl and stop when it is safe.
  • Watch bridges and shade. Bridges freeze first. Below freezing, a wet-looking road may be black ice.
  • Know the adverse conditions rule. Unexpected snow or ice may let you extend the 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour window by up to 2 hours. Note it in your ELD.
  • Pack for a long wait. Water, healthy snacks, medicines, and warm layers.

When to get checked

  • Your card expires in the next 60 days. Book now.
  • Something changed. A new diagnosis, surgery, or medicine can affect your card.
  • You use insulin. Your treating clinician fills out form MCSA-5870, and your exam must happen within 45 days of their signature.
Pull over when safe and call 911 for:
  • Chest pain or pressure, or trouble breathing
  • Sudden numbness or weakness on one side, a drooping face, or trouble speaking
  • A sudden, severe headache or vision change

Have diabetes, a heart condition, or sleep apnea? See DOT physicals with medical conditions for the records to bring.

How Kee Health helps drivers stay DOT-ready

Need a DOT physical in Waunakee or near Madison, WI? We do DOT physicals with Dr. Bret Toftness, DC, NRCME, RN (Dr. B), a certified medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.

We do not do FAA pilot medicals or federal agency exams. See federal physical vs. DOT physical. A DOT physical at Kee Health is $95. Appointments are preferred, and same-day visits may be available. Text or call us at (608) 207-8212. We are at 5939 State Road 113 in Waunakee. Hours: Monday 8am to 4pm, Tuesday through Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 12pm, by appointment only.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is a DOT physical good for?

Up to 24 months. The examiner may certify you for less time, such as 1 year with high blood pressure. Drivers who use insulin can be certified for up to 12 months.

Can you pass a DOT physical with high blood pressure?

Often, yes. Under 140/90 can mean a card for up to 2 years. Readings of 140 to 159 over 90 to 99 usually mean 1 year. At 180/110 or higher, you cannot be certified until it is under control.

Does sleep apnea disqualify you from a CDL?

Not by itself. The examiner decides based on your health and your treatment. If you use CPAP, bring your recent usage records, such as the last 90 days.

What happens if my DOT medical card expires?

There is no grace period. You cannot drive a commercial vehicle until you pass a new exam, and Wisconsin DMV may downgrade your CDL.

This article is for general education and is not medical or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm requirements with FMCSA or the Wisconsin DMV. Passing a DOT physical is never guaranteed. In an emergency, call 911.