DOT Physical Question: Company Doctors

Morning folks! I shared on another thread about how I’ve been recertified for a 1-year med card after a waiting period this summer for starting new meds. Unfortunately, Wilson wound up rescinding my rehire offer for unstated reasons. No hard feelings, I understand the liability. My assumption is that simply having a DOT card was not enough and that I don’t meet their medical eligibility requirements. (For what it’s worth, my medications are not on the disqualifying list.)

My question is this: can anyone chime in with companies that definitely require an in-house full DOT physical upon arrival at orientation? I have received an offer from Stevens Transport, but my recruiter confirmed that if their DOT examiner disagrees with the last one, that would qualify as a fail and I would wind up losing my med card for the second time in only two months. Having this med card is vital to employment and I want to make sure I don’t lose it!

Meanwhile, western express has confirmed I don’t need to go through a full DOT physical if I have more than six months remaining on my current certification, so that’s a no brainer and I’m accepting the offer. I’m just trying to be cautious and make sure that, in the event I’m disqualified for some reason, I don’t go somewhere else only to have my med card yanked again.

Again, no hard feelings towards companies for having their standards! Just trying to avoid prolonging this unnecessarily. Thanks so much

USXpress does the full DOT exam in house at orientation. I just went through it Monday, 8/23.

I've been driving for six companies. All did the physical at orientation.

Thanks Packrat, do you mind if I ask which ones? I know you’re with Crete now.

Western Express confirmed required they only ask experienced drivers to complete the DOT physical at orientation if you have six months or fewer remaining on your certification OR if you do not bring your long form.

C.R. England confirmed they only require CDL students to complete the physical on-site, not experienced drivers with a valid medical card and long form.

CRST, Roehl, Millis, Crete, Knight, Conway, Independent O/O leased on with another company I'll not mention.

CFI only does a drug test at orientation, unless you don't have a current med card. When I renewed mine they sent me to a local clinic to get it.

Thanks for the help! I’m feeling confident about Western Express tomorrow and am ready to get back to work with this opportunity.

Just a general question, however, since some companies require a complete DOT physical for all drivers and some do not if you already have your med card:

I completely understand companies having their own internal medical standards, regardless of one’s DOT certification status, and sending you home disqualified if you don’t meet them. That’s only fair, as companies should be rigorously strict to make sure their drivers are safe to be on the road.

What I don’t understand is why—if you already have a DOT medical card, with a certification—they would then have an examiner rescind it and disqualify you from driving anywhere else, simply for disagreeing with the examiner who certified you. Then you are not only sent home from orientation, but you then no longer have a medical card and can’t work anywhere else! Of course I’m sure there’s no answer to this other than “different companies have different policies.” It just seems unduly harsh to have a company DOT examiner yank your certification, especially for drivers who waited patiently and worked hard to get recertified. If they simply say “sorry, you don’t meet our standards,” at least you can keep the certification you have and try some place else.

Mark, I'm home now, have my 1 year med good til next June 2022. CRST didn't like I got 2nd opinion lol called it "DR shopping", which it wasn't. And when I began this new gig, I started with them in 2019, had a medical already they accepted, all I had to do was pee test at the school.

Which ever medical is on file with the DMV is valid, they can't rescind my card as invalid. So, I can go drive anyplace else, that will accept my current card, and there are a LOT that will accept that......

Just haven't found 1, I wanna drive for YET.