A DOT Physical: What Is It? Everything You Must Understand
If your company mandates that you possess a driver’s license for professional trucks or buses, then
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You might be asking what the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) physical is.
Every person wishing to operate a commercial motor vehicle must pass the DOT physical examination (CMV). This test ensures that every business driver performs at their best and meets the requirements for their daily health exams. It guarantees that the long hours and strain of driving a commercial vehicle won’t be too much for you or other CMV drivers to bear physically.
To find out if you need a DOT physical and what happens during an exam, keep reading our guide on physicals.
What Is Included in This Exam?
A driver’s blood pressure, eyesight, and whole medical history are all assessed during a DOT physical. This can assist guarantee that a driver is fit to safely operate a commercial vehicle and does not have any preexisting health issues. The many components of a DOT Physical Exam are listed below.
A Visual Examination
Your doctor will check that you can see at least 20/40 in both eyes during a DOT Physical. Please remember to bring your prescription glasses if you wear them. The ability to discern between different hues both with and without your prescribed lenses will also be evaluated.
A Test of Hearing
A hearing test is one of the exam’s additional components. A motorist must be able to hear a forced whisper from fewer than five feet away, with or without hearing aids.
Analyzing urine
There will be a urine test that you need to take. This test can assist identify any abnormalities that need to be addressed right away, or whether you might have a medical issue.
Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
A test for your pulse and blood pressure will also be performed. This will assist in determining whether you are healthy enough to sit for extended periods of time and help look for any irregularities.
Physical Inspection
Your DOT Exam will include a physical examination as well. The following will be tried on you:
overall look (weight, tremors, issues with drugs or alcohol)
Throat and Mouth (swallowing and breathing)
Chest & Lungs (breathing)
Organs & Abdomen (abnormal masses, weakness, hernias)
Vascular System: (blood flow, varicose veins, weak pulse)
Limbs (injury, loss, and weakening)
Skeletal (tenderness, limitation)
neurological (reflexes, speech, balance)
During your checkup, you can also be asked about or required to get any necessary immunizations. These may consist of:
Hepatitis A (Hep A)
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Tetanus, polio, and typhoid
Influenza (Flu)
The ability to operate a commercial vehicle is granted to drivers upon passing the DOT physical examination. The duration of this certification varies from three months to two years, depending on the driver’s health. It is also possible for a driver to fail the DOT physical due to a health condition that prevents them from performing at their best.
What I Need To Bring To My DOT Exam
Be ready to present any documentation that lists the medications that have been prescribed by physicians during the last month when you attend your DOT physical. Should there be a medical handicap, kindly provide a medical release letter demonstrating your doctor’s clearance for you to work with this condition.
Where Can I Get A Physical Examination for DOT?
A DOT Physical may be obtained for about $75 at any of our 15 urgent care sites, including DOCS Urgent Care servicing Connecticut. Make an appointment by giving your closest location a call. Walk-ins are also welcomed.
DOCS Urgent Care is here to make sure you are driving at your best, so don’t let this quick checkup stop you.