A DOT physical stands for Department of Transport physical. It is a physical exam conducted for people who drive commercial vehicles. The exam is done under the strict guidelines mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The purpose of this exam is to ensure that people who drive commercial vehicles are fit to, on all aspects, such as physically, emotionally, and mentally.
As a commercial driver, the DOT physical is necessary for you to be able to return to the road. The strict rules guiding the exam can be a lot to handle, however, with proper understanding, it can still be easily passed. This article will discuss with you what to expect in a DOT physical exam and what you should come along with.
Necessary evaluations for a DOT physical
When a DOT physical is performed a patient is evaluated on several aspects, all to ensure he is capable of driving over 15 people.
Here are some of the aspect a patient is evaluated on:
● Vision
It's not enough that you can just see, your vision has to be clear. A test will be done on your eyes to confirm that you pass the requirement.
According to the guidelines, drivers are to have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. A test will also be done on each eye to ensure the driver has a measurement of at least 70” peripheral in the horizontal meridian.
● Hearing
To pass the DOT physical, a driver's hearing capacity is tested. The requirement is for the driver to be able to hear what is known as a forced whisper at a distance of 5ft, with or without a hearing aid.
● Physical examination
An overall physical exam will be done on the patient. This is to ensure full capability. The exam will include a medical check on ears, eyes, mouth and throat, lungs, hearts, abdomen, and neurological. Your physical appearance will also be examined.
These exams will be conducted by a medical examiner, certified by FMCSA
● Blood pressure
High blood pressure or irregular heartbeat disqualifies you. The medical examiner will inspect this and determine if the driver qualifies or not.
● Urinalysis
According to the guidelines, the driver will also need to pass a urinalysis test. This test is to discover any underlying conditions, such as diabetes.
What to carry along to you DOT physical
Following the series of tests to be done, there are certain things or documents a commercial driver should carry along. It is important that you carry your medical history report and a list of your medications including dosage regimens if you are using any.
To ensure the exam goes smoothly, drivers should also go along with their eye glasses or hearing aid if they use them.
Conclusion
Even though the entire process can be long because of their strict guidelines, it isn't difficult to pass, as long as you don't have any health issues that disqualifies you.
If you have a DOT physical renewal or need one to begin driving, visit an urgent
care center and walk-in clinic today!
