DOT Vision Requirements

Topic 24664 | Page 1

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Philip S.'s Comment
member avatar

I'm considering getting into trucking. I'm not worried about any health issues like blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep apnea , weight, etc. My concern is with corrective lenses, my right eye is about 20/30, while my left eye is 20/70. When I tested myself with both eyes and corrective lenses, I could easily read to 20/30. With just my right eye - 20/30, but my left eye (with glasses) was 20/70.

Will this disqualify me from passing my DOT unless I file for an exemption?

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.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

Welcome Philip. The following links summarize the requirements of the DOT CDL physical.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

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.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Old School's Comment
member avatar

You're going to need to have 20/40 in each eye with your corrective lenses.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

Visual acuity is vitally important in this job. It can safe your life and the lives of others.

Philip S.'s Comment
member avatar

Thank you for your prompt replies.

Does the vision test use the Snellen eye charts?

Old School's Comment
member avatar
Does the vision test use the Snellen eye charts?

That all depends on the physician. Most of them use those charts. I've had a few tests where I had to look into a piece of equipment to test with.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
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