Need a DOT physical near you in Jackson County? Our Vancleave clinic on Hwy 57 takes walk-ins every day, 7 AM to 7 PM, no appointment, so you can get your commercial driver medical exam done on site whenever your route allows. We’re a quick run up Highway 57 for drivers in Gautier, Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, and Moss Point, and we can knock out both the DOT physical and a DOT drug screen in one visit.
What is a DOT physical, and who needs one?
A DOT physical is the medical exam the federal government requires for people who drive commercial vehicles. If you hold a CDL or drive a truck, bus, or other commercial motor vehicle over the federal weight and passenger thresholds, you need a current medical certificate to stay legal on the road. The exam checks that you’re healthy enough to drive safely, and it has to be done by a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Total Health Urgent Care offers DOT physicals right here in Vancleave, so Jackson County drivers don’t have to drive out of the area for one.
Where can I get a walk-in DOT physical near me in Jackson County?
Right here on Highway 57 in Vancleave. Total Health Urgent Care keeps its doors open all seven days, 7 AM to 7 PM, and takes walk-ins, so you can knock out your DOT physical before a shift, after a run, or on a Saturday when most offices are closed. That 7 AM open time matters if you drive for a living, and a lot of our commercial-driver traffic comes off the shipyard-and-port corridor around Pascagoula.
Here’s roughly how far the exam is from around the coast:
Distances are approximate, but the point holds: whether you’re running out of the Port of Pascagoula, Ingalls Shipbuilding, or a fleet based anywhere across Jackson County, we’re an easy hop up Highway 57 from I-10. You can see the full service list on our urgent care services page.
What does a DOT physical check?
The DOT physical looks at the things that affect whether you can drive safely, not a head-to-toe workup. Your examiner reviews your health history and current medications, then checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and a urine sample. Here’s what each part covers, based on the FMCSA medical standards:
That urine sample trips a lot of drivers up, so it’s worth repeating: the DOT physical’s urine check looks at your kidneys and blood sugar. The drug test is a separate thing, and we’ll get to it below.
What should I bring to your DOT physical?
A little prep can keep your visit quick and help you avoid a repeat trip. Bring these along:
- A list of your current medications, with the doses and who prescribes them.
- Your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids if you use them.
- If you have diabetes, your recent blood sugar records.
- If you use a CPAP for sleep apnea, your machine’s compliance data.
- Any letters or clearance forms from your own doctor for a heart, vision, or hearing condition.
If you’re not sure what applies to you, call us at (228) 283-5045 before you come in and we’ll tell you what to grab. Coming prepared is the single best way to walk out with your card the same day.
Does a DOT physical include a drug test?
No, they’re two separate requirements, and that catches a lot of drivers by surprise. The DOT physical is the medical exam. A DOT drug test is a federally regulated urine test that screens a set five-panel: marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP, per the U.S. DOT’s testing rules. Your employer, not the clinic, decides when you’re tested.
The good news is you can knock out both in one stop with us. Total Health does rapid on-site 5-panel and 10-panel drug screens for pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing, right alongside the physical. One trip up Highway 57 instead of two.
How long is a DOT medical card good for?
A DOT medical certificate is valid for up to 24 months. Your examiner can issue it for a shorter window, though, if you have something worth watching, like high blood pressure or diabetes that needs regular monitoring. So keep an eye on the expiration date on your card, because a lapsed medical certificate can put your CDL on hold.
One thing that’s changed recently: as of June 23, 2025, certified examiners send CDL and CLP drivers’ exam results to the state licensing agency electronically, so most commercial drivers no longer have to hand a paper card to the DMV themselves, according to FMCSA. It’s still smart to keep a copy for your own records and your employer.
How much does a DOT physical cost, and do I need insurance?
DOT physicals are usually an out-of-pocket, self-pay service, since insurance and Medicare generally don’t cover an exam your employer requires. We keep our self-pay pricing straightforward and posted, the same way we list a flat $130 office visit and a $75 on-site X-ray. For the current DOT physical fee, just call (228) 283-5045 or check our pricing and insurance page, and you’ll know the number before you ever sign in. No surprise bill at the end.
What makes a good place to get your DOT physical near Vancleave?
A few plain things you can check for yourself. Is it open when your schedule actually allows, including early mornings and weekends? Can it do the drug screen in the same visit? Is the price posted up front? Total Health Urgent Care checks every one of those boxes: doors open daily 7 AM to 7 PM, walk-ins welcome, the drug screen handled on site, and self-pay pricing posted, all from one independent, nurse-practitioner-founded clinic on Highway 57. Whether you’re driving in from Gautier, Pascagoula, or Moss Point, that’s a straightforward place to get certified and get back to work.
Frequently asked questions
Can urgent care do a DOT physical?
Yes. Total Health Urgent Care in Vancleave offers DOT physicals, performed by a certified medical examiner as the FMCSA requires, with walk-in hours 7 days a week. You don’t need to book weeks out at a specialty office.
Is an appointment required to get a DOT physical?
Nope, no appointment needed. We take walk-ins every day, 7 AM to 7 PM. If you’d rather call ahead to line up the drug screen too, reach us at (228) 283-5045.
How long does a DOT physical take?
For most drivers it’s a quick visit. Coming in with your medication list, glasses or hearing aids, and any records for a monitored condition is the best way to keep it short and get your card the same day.
Is the DOT physical urine test a drug test?
No. The urine sample in the physical checks for protein, blood, and sugar as a health screen. A DOT drug test is a separate, federally regulated five-panel test. We can do both in one visit if your employer needs the drug screen.
What could keep me from passing a DOT physical?
Uncontrolled conditions like very high blood pressure, unmanaged diabetes, or vision or hearing below the standards can affect your certification or shorten your card. Many drivers still certify once a condition is documented and managed, so bring your records. Your examiner will walk you through your specific result.
Do you serve drivers from across Jackson County and the Gulf Coast?
You bet. Drivers head our way from Gautier, Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Moss Point, Biloxi, and D’Iberville. Our Vancleave clinic sits on Highway 57, just a short hop north of I-10.
Written by the team at Total Health Urgent Care, the independent Vancleave clinic founded by Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C. Consider this general background on DOT physicals, not medical or regulatory advice for your own situation. Got a question about your commercial driver certification? Phone (228) 283-5045 or stop by 12000 Hwy 57 in Vancleave, MS 39565.
