Everything You Wanted To Know About DOT Physicals

 

Before moving on with the bigger question, it is good to know about the basics of DOT. A DOT or more aptly the Department Of Transportation is an organization that appoints commercial vehicle drivers who are capable of running the vehicle both mentally and physically. But how do they know that a driver is capable?

This is where the DOT Physicals play a vital role. This is a medical examination that certifies that a driver is fit for commercial driving purposes. This exam is important as this one step would help ensure the safety of passengers and the vehicles run by a commercial driver. 

The following section puts light on everything you would want to know about DOT physicals.

 Who Are Required To Pass DOT Exam?

• All the drivers who hold a commercial driving license are required to undergo this test

• The drivers who run public transport vehicles with boarding passengers

• All those drivers who are likely to cross the state border

• Drivers who drive heavy load trucks that carry hazardous, sensitive or costly materials

What to Expect From Your DOT Exam?

First of all, you need to consult a doctor or a physician near you, who is effective at conducting a physical exam covering all the required tests. Talking about what to expect from this examination, read on further:

• The medical provider would communicate with you one-to-one to get an insight into your medical history and mindset

• A physical examination would be conducted to check your physical fitness, hearing or other sensing abilities

• The pulse rate, the blood pressure, height and the body weight would be recorded

• An eye test is another important part of passing a DOT Physicals

• A urinal exam would be conducted to check your blood and sugar intensities

• Screen test for the presence of any kind of drug in the system would also be conducted

What If You Pass The DOT Exam?

If all the medical tests report speaks in your favor, a certificate would be issued in your name that ensures that you are fit to drive. The certificate that would be issued to you would last for 24 months, after which, you have to renew it by getting the medical exam redone.

However, if any abnormalities are observed when on duty in this period of 24 months, the certificate can stand null and void. Also, if your doctor suspected anything such as hypertension in your test results, he may provide a certificate for only a year. This is done so as to rerun a test again, to check the status of the issue.

What Can Lead To The Failing Of DOT Exam?

There are several health conditions that may disqualify you from driving a commercial vehicle. Some of which include poor visibility, high blood sugar levels, cardiovascular issues, epilepsy, hearing issues or presence of drugs in the system.

Also, any kind of physical disability that can be anywhere related to affecting your driving abilities would result in the test failure.

This was some must know information about DOT Physicals that any commercial driver would want to know. Adding up further, it is advised to consult reputed medical service providers near you for getting a full-proof medical test done.