Does anyone know if I have to be checked out by a doctor before taking it?

 

It has been an awful long time since I got mine (they were called a Class-1 back then) but I took the test and got my license and I got the green Medical Examiners Certificate which I had to take to my doctor then after I got my physical he stamped it then the Class-1 or "A" was valid.
Your medical certificate is good for 2 years and the license should be good for 4 years unless you get some tickets.
If your medical expires and you fail to renew it your classification will revert to a Class-3 until you renew it. You just have to go the doctor for another physical and pay money.
My last physical cost me around $175.00 such a rip off, he had me run in place for 10 minuets, thought he was trying to kill me. I think about all they are worried about is the vision test, peripheral, color blind and hearing also if you can hit the little bottle.
You might check around the truck stops like TA because last time I was at one I saw flyers to get your medical exam for like $19.00.

Also if you have a clean record your Class-1 can be automatically renewed just like a Class-3 can.
Don’t like to brag but I have not had to take a written test since 1974 I just get a new medical every 2 years. I did let go of my TX endorsements about 10 years back.
I take that back, I does feel good to brag.

BTW Good luck..
Jim

 

in indiana, cali is probably about the same, you will need a DOT interstate medical examiners certificate to obtain a class A CDL. its just a physical, cost me around 50 bucks, i think. as stated before, it does expire every 2 years.

 

every 2 years here in Cali... I have the TX on my CDL as well.