DOT Physical Before Starting Trucking School
Topic 14709 | Page 1
From what I gather on here, you will still have to get another one if you go through a company sponsored school as they want their doc to say that you are good to go. I did the same thing though as I could get one for free through the VA just to make sure I wouldn't get a nasty surprise. It can still happen though as I am a big guy and the hot trend here lately seems to be for them to require a sleep apnia test. I asked the VA doc and she said that she saw absolutely no reason to supect that I need one as I sleep really well, am alert, with clear eyes, etc. None of the other indicators that she picks up on for that either. I already know that I will still have to take another physical next week at school with Stevens Transport's doc. Oh well, no biggie as my doc said I'm great! However, since I am type two diabetic (non-insulin meds.), she could only give me a one year card. But she said my A1C is only one tenth of a point over normal and my blood and urine were perfect, so that should be good.
Good luck on yours!
DSTURBD
DOT Physicals are registered in a Federal Database. I would not "just get one" to see if I could pass. Just go to your own Doctor and pay for an annual physical. People on certain prescription drugs have hit some snags with some Trucking Companies. Psych meds, anti depressants and ADHD meds. Pain meds(opiates) go without saying. Insulin dependant Diabetes is almost always a disqualification. It seems many Companies these days are a bit over anxious about the possibility ofSleep Apnea. If you are markedly overweight many will want a sleep study that can be quite expensive, not to mention the cost of a CPAP machine. Talk over all of these with your own Dr. before you end up in the Database with any of the above issues. If you have none of the above issues a DOT Physical should not be an issue. Hope this helps
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
DOT Physicals are registered in a Federal Database. I would not "just get one" to see if I could pass.
Excellent point that i didn't even know, Tractor Man. I don't want to be in a federal database before going to school so it looks like I will just wait. Thanks!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
I was wondering the same thing. I wanted to do a DOT before going to school, to avoid surprises. How similar are a regular physical and a DOT? I'm overweight like most other southern americans but I've never had issues with BP. Every doc visit is normal BP for me. My vision requires correction and my hearing is okay. I recently lost my hearing in my right ear after a work related incident but most of it came back and I still have some ringing. I'll probably still do a regular physical while I still am employed and have major medical, prior to going to a school. I just don't want to quit my current job and go through all that only to be kicked out because I fail a DOT.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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Hello all, Just curious about something. It may be six to nine months before I start applying to some trucking schools. I am considering getting a DOT physical and paying for it myself. I want to do this to see if I can pass before going to a school and then find out a day or two after class starts that I didn't pass.
I'm not taking any medications and I just got mt BP checked and it was 120/70. I'm assuming this is possible as long as one is paying out of pocket?
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.