DOT Physical
Topic 17606 | Page 1
So with all the research I've done to see if I think trucking is for me, I haven't put much thought towards the physical I will have to get. My situation right now is that I haven't seen a doctor in about 7 years. And that was when I was getting out of military. I got my hearing tested then also because it would've been the only thing I would have been able to claim disability for but when I took the test they said I wasn't legally deaf but that my hearing dropped since my initial hearing test when I joined military. And having not seen a doctor and not feeling anything wrong with me to feel the need to see the doctor, I'm now just a little anxious about going through that process not being sure how thorough they are and if they end up finding some reason I'm not fit for trucking. I don't feel like I have any hearing issues after getting out of military and it not being bad enough that they would compensate me. And haven't had any concerns in last 7 years, so I believe it's safe to assume I will be fine. But just wondering if this is common that guys are like me not regularly seeing a doctor and such and this physical being the first time in a couple years that I'll have been seen by a doctor. I wear glasses too and have had an eye exam in the last two years and nothing changed much there either. I've had kidney stones before and have heard that those can spring up every we run couple years after getting them before, so not sure if that is a medical concern they would be iffy about.
Maybe I'm thinking it too much. Company I am in application process with had me do a medical interview on phone but those were all general questions that I easily passed. And go start training in three weeks.
I am like you and hadn't seen a doctor in years, before my first DOT physical and did alright. I did get sent for a sleep study and am on a CPAP machine, but my health has improved a little bit because of it.
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Here at prime, the physical was very basic. Blood pressure, heart rate, vision, etc. The hearing test was simple, must hear a forced whisper at like 6 feet. It's a rather loud whisper, not hard to hear at all.
The urine test will check for drugs, blood sugar, etc.
I had my primary doc at home do a DOT physical on me about 6 months prior to me attending orientation, to be sure I was ok, and I was. My bp flared up at orientation, but I was able to settle it down enough to pass.
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.
Here at prime, the physical was very basic. Blood pressure, heart rate, vision, etc.
Regarding the heart rate check, do they check it before the agility test, after it, or both?
Maybe I'm thinking it too much.
Yes........you are! Very basic physical. I honestly wonder how a lot of Truckers that I see out on the road pass one. If you have any concerns, get a physical from your own Doctor first. Two main things that can snag you on a DOT physical are High Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar. Vision, Hearing, and BP are almost always correctable. If you are considerably overweight, many Companies are seemingly pushing Sleep Apnea testing. Be aware that SA, while correctable, can bring your schooling to a screeching halt. You will need to be tested and possibly outfitted with a CPAP Machine (at your expense) .This will not prevent you from driving in most cases just slow down the process.
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.
We have mountains of information regarding the DOT physical. Not only does it include the requirements, but it also includes advice on things like how to lower your blood pressure for both the short term and the long term:
- Getting Started With The DOT Physical
- DOT Blood Pressure Requirements
- DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
- DOT Eye & Vision Exam Requirements
- DOT Hearing Requirements
- DOT Physical - Driver Exemptions
- Hair Follicle vs. Urinalysis Drug Testing: Breakdown By Company
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice
- Sleep Apnea , Truck Drivers, & BMI Calculator
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.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
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.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Yeah, just overturning it. Although since I haven't seen a doctor in so long i am curious about my BP because when I got out of Marines the doctor was concerned about my blood pressure. Was gonna prescribe me some medication to help with it but I was also smoking a pack of cigarettes a day back then and he said medication would help or quit smoking. Day I got out of Marines I quit cold turkey because I wasn't around it so much. But since getting out and working construction I haven't smoked but started using one of those Valerie things. So will see what happens at this point but I'm in good shape. Construction has helped me stay a little fit, so I will definitely need to figure out a workout routine since I won't be as active.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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So with all the research I've done to see if I think trucking is for me, I haven't put much thought towards the physical I will have to get. My situation right now is that I haven't seen a doctor in about 7 years. And that was when I was getting out of military. I got my hearing tested then also because it would've been the only thing I would have been able to claim disability for but when I took the test they said I wasn't legally deaf but that my hearing dropped since my initial hearing test when I joined military. And having not seen a doctor and not feeling anything wrong with me to feel the need to see the doctor, I'm now just a little anxious about going through that process not being sure how thorough they are and if they end up finding some reason I'm not fit for trucking. I don't feel like I have any hearing issues after getting out of military and it not being bad enough that they would compensate me. And haven't had any concerns in last 7 years, so I believe it's safe to assume I will be fine. But just wondering if this is common that guys are like me not regularly seeing a doctor and such and this physical being the first time in a couple years that I'll have been seen by a doctor. I wear glasses too and have had an eye exam in the last two years and nothing changed much there either. I've had kidney stones before and have heard that those can spring up every we run couple years after getting them before, so not sure if that is a medical concern they would be iffy about.
Maybe I'm thinking it too much. Company I am in application process with had me do a medical interview on phone but those were all general questions that I easily passed. And go start training in three weeks.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.