Pre-physical Or Not Before School?

Hi All,

The recruiter is now telling us that we have to have our physical done ahead of time. I have read/seen videos etc of guys/gals going to school saying they were told to get their physical ahead of time only to have the school ignore it. Which way is right/normal?

Thanks!

Hi All,

The recruiter is now telling us that we have to have our physical done ahead of time. I have read/seen videos etc of guys/gals going to school saying they were told to get their physical ahead of time only to have the school ignore it. Which way is right/normal?

Thanks!

I think this varies by company. When I spoke to a recruiter about it, they said I would do a physical for them (the company) but would also need another one to get my medical card (basically a physical for the DMV). I think its best to get one ahead of time anyways due to some companies require you to have your permit before attending school which in most states would require you to get a physical/medical card so that you can get your permit.

Yup...each company is different...go by what your recruiter sez....Good Luck !! and Welcome to TT...we are here to help

Thanks Starcar and Joshua B,

I inquired at my doctor's office today and found out what I will need to do to get one done with them. I think just to cover my bases I'll get one done with my doc and present it to the school when I go and then see what they require after that.

Thanks again and thanks for the welcome too! :)

If you go to your doctor to get your physical chances are it will be OK for the DMV , but not for your company. Most companies only accept DOT physicals from their list of approved clinics.

When I went to Swift I was originally told I'd get a physical when I went to school. Then I found out Indiana required a physical to get my permit. So I talked to my recruiter and asked what I needed to do. I was told just go get a physical because I would need my permit to start school.

Unfortunately, one of the many things the recruiter never mentioned to me was that I had to get a physical from a Swift approved clinic. So I got down to Tennessee to start training and they told me I needed to cough up $40 for another physical because they wouldn't accept the one I had.

All of this is in the process of changing right now.....they're requiring doctors to become certified to do DOT physicals so before long there will be a list of approved doctors. Hopefully (but not likely) that will eliminate some of the confusion over where you can go to get physicals and when you should take them.

Lori, some of the confusion is because of various circumstances coming together:

1) By law a company must give every new driver a physical, regardless of whether or not they've had a physical recently.

2) An awful lot of new drivers get brought into companies for training or orientation and wind up failing the physical or drug test.

3) Some states require you to have a physical card before you can get a permit, some don't

So the landscape is changing a bit when it comes to physicals and I would expect companies will try to take advantage of this by requiring physicals before someone comes to orientation or training. That way the company saves a lot of time and money not having to transport someone to their facility just to send them home the next day for failing the physical.

Do whatever the recruiter says is required but try like crazy to get the important things in writing. This is no small matter so there should be no issue putting it in writing for you. If they have a clear company policy on when a DOT physical must be taken by incoming drivers then it's in writing somewhere and you should be given it in writing also.

Keep in mind the differences between a COMPANY PHYSICAL - and a DOT Med Card one.

Recent changes of FMCSA Rules, do require stricter certification of medical practitioners in order to "sign off" on DOT Med cards. As of this year, current cards MUST BE ON FILE with your licensing authority (DMV where you hold your CDL), in order for you to KEEP YOUR CDL.

This is important FOR EVERYONE (old and new) - as CDL's expire every 6 years or so (or 4 years for folks with HM endorsements), but DOT Med cards expire EVERY TWO. If your Med Card expires, your CDL will be AUTOMATICALLY DOWNGRADED to a Class E (regular operators license). For those of us that are OTR and don't get to to your mail that often - you could miss the notice from your DMV informing you that you are about to lose your CDL to a "downgrade". You do NOT WANT TO GET CAUGHT operating a CMV , without a valid CDL.

I found this out, when I went to change my address on my CDL - and they wanted to issue me a Class E, because my Med Card was going to expire within 30 days. And I don't currently work in the industry - but I do keep all my certs, endorsements, etc. current.

CDL Permit Issuance by states, assume that you will be operating a CMV - though perhaps not in "Interstate Commerce". Technically - an election of "Intrastate or Interstate Exempted" could waive this requirement (for a Med Card) - but CDL SCHOOL is not considered an exemption in the rules - and - some Company Schools will have you operating in Non-Exempted Interstate Commerce while with a trainer, BEFORE you actually get your CDL.

DOT Med physicals are pretty easy - Vision, Color, Hernia Check, Blood Pressure, Urine (sugar and ketones for diabetes, not drug testing) and hearing (whisper test - they whisper in both ears) - and you're out the door with a card (less the $60-100 places are currently charging). I've had 3 so far, and they are the easiest things going - unless you are blind, deaf, have diabetes or high blood pressure (worse than 140/90).

COMPANY PHYSICALS on the other hand, may have mobility, agility, lifting and other components to them - to ensure you are physically capable - as well as drug/alcohol testing (are required by DOT).

Med Card rules for Permit/CDL issuance are "supposed to be" uniform between the states, but as always - your mileage may vary. If the company you're hiring onto requires a permit from your home state, and your home state requires a DOT Med Card for a permit - then you are going to have to get one.

Rick