Question About The DOT Physical
Topic 33968 | Page 1
Your employer is free to require more than your state. I've always had to go to the doctor my company suggests. I'm so old that the company wants me to go through a bunch of physical agility tests. I'm a flatbedder and I've never had any issues with not passing these tests.
You can choose which molehills you want to make into mountains. This is not one I'd choose to die on. An added benefit is when I go to my company chosen physician, the company foots the bill. They've done that for ten years now, saving me hundreds of dollars and unnecessary trips home to my state.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Copy that.
Is there a DOT standard/reg that supports your position? I’m not gonna argue with your answer (we all hate it when someone asks a question, we provide an answer, then the questioner wants to argue with the answer).
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.
Hey Cincy, I've got an answer for you, but I want to hear your answer to this question first. Does this doctor you go to have you drop your pants and check you for a hernia?
Copy that.
Is there a DOT standard/reg that supports your position? I’m not gonna argue with your answer (we all hate it when someone asks a question, we provide an answer, then the questioner wants to argue with the answer).
There is no DOT reg that says you have to go to the doctor they choose. That's not the part that matters though.
The part that matters is that there is no law that states they can't. An employer can require you to use their doctor and you can refuse, but they can terminate you for refusing.
Just like your employer requiring you to submit the long form. There is no law that says you have to, but there's no law that says they can't require it as a condition of employment.
If they're not breaking the law, they're in the clear.
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.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Is there any particular reason you don't want to see their doctor? Sleep apnea concerns maybe? I'm genuinely curious why you would rather pay for a physical than have your employer cover the costs. Some doctors are more lenient or more strict when it comes to testing for sleep apnea that's why I ask. In my area there's a few doctors that have a reputation for being lenient which is likely why my employer sends me to the doctor of THEIR choice.
I can't pinpoint any specific regulations but it's basically industry standard at large companies. Most companies provide a new DOT physical during orientation regardless of how much your previous card has left. Yes, it can be irritating waiting for the office to setup an appt but you're still saving $100 or so.
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.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
There is no law or DOT reg regarding doc’s to provide exams other than they have to be registered with FMCSA to proivide the service.
Each company has the right as an employeer to dictate where that is done. You have a choice, go to their provider or find another job.
Those who sign the paycheck have the right to set the rules.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I had this very issue with my 1st company during my 2nd year with them. Their clinic doctor said I had high keto's in my urine=sign of high blood sugars (340) Dr was an idiot, I had a white pea on my eyelid(clogged tear duct) she says "Oh you have a sty?" uh NOPE a clogged duct.SMFH @ her lol
She says go home, return tomorrow to retest? Didn't tell me what to do or try the night before? I'm not an idiot, knew i'd waste a drive there, to only fail. So instead, I went where I had my DOT's done 3 times before. Now they BOTH used the same brand of test strips, I watched both times, and yet the 2nd test showed no excess ketos?? Really?
Ok fast forward, a month later am in Tennesee, they call me, and told me I cannot drive anymore due to blood sugar issue. Safety said I "Dr Shopped"?? Really? I said everyone is allowed a 2nd opinion on medicals and I didn't "Shop" I only went to 1 other clinic, and passed, not 3-4-5-6 etc. Besides that Dr never gave me any paperwork like she should've, besides telling me to return tomorrow.
It wasn't my job to teach my DM or safety the LAWS on the books of the FMCSA regarding "dr shopping" which I hadn't done.
So you really have no choice in NOT going where the company sends you. The Fed's over ride states period. Good Luck hoping your stress is for nothing, and you pass fine!!
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I passed the DOT physical just fine in February (it wasn’t due until May). I thought I was doing myself and The Company a ‘solid’ by being proactive and handling the requirement well before my card was set to expire.
I know that truck driving is way different than any other job out there. I also know that I truly value my ‘home time’. I’m simply not interested in giving up any of my 34 hour reset to go to a pointless appointment when I’ve already satisfied the DOT requirements.
I’m guessing that the company with which I’m partnered is headquartered in a ‘right to work’ state, therefore if they want to separate from me, then they will.
As for submitting the ‘long form’, I gotta wonder when we get into the murky area of my ‘HIPA’ (sic) rights to privacy as it relates to my medical history.
Banks: Great stuff…if it isn’t prohibited, then it’s legal. I can’t argue with that.
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.
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.
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As a holder of a valid CDL , I know I have a responsibility to ‘sit’ for a DOT physical every two years.
Can my employer dictate the doctor/health care professional used for this exam?
Here’s my position (and I look forward to reading responses from others): My state of residence granted me the CDL. I must meet their standards in order to hold the license. If my state is satisfied that I’ve done that (using a health care professional from DOT’s ‘list’ for my exam), how can my employer compel me to take the exam at an office specified by them?
Back story: my CDL would expire in July, 2024, however I took the DOT physical in February when I was on home time. My state of residence agreed that I satisfied the DOT physical exam requirement as I was able to renew my license. My employer is advising that they will not recognize this as I didn’t visit ‘their’ doctor.
What say you, readers?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.