If you want to work for the Department of Transportation or if you want to be a truck driver, you must be willing to have a DOT physical annually. This physical provides the DOT with the data they need to ensure you are healthy enough to be on the road hauling. Revive Medical Center conducts DOT physicals and drug testing. Here is what is involved with the DOT physical.
Vision Test
You will not qualify for a commercial driving license if you don’t have at least 20/40 vision. You must also pass the peripheral vision test showing that you have peripheral vision in each eye of 70 inches or more. If you cannot maintain these vision requirements with correction or without, you will not be able to receive your commercial driver’s license as this will cause you to fail this portion of the DOT physical.
Hearing Test
Truck drivers must also be able to hear well. It is important to be able to hear the things around you, as this helps you avoid automobile accidents. Hearing loss is limited in DOT physicals. If you have a hearing loss of more than 40 decibels in what is considered your better ear, you do not meet the hearing requirements to pass the DOT hearing test.
Vital Statistics
Your vitals are also taken during a DOT physical to find out what your blood pressure is. If you have high blood pressure, you cannot drive a commercial truck. You will not pass the DOT physical with high blood pressure. You also can’t pass it if your blood pressure is too low, as this can affect your awareness behind the wheel. We will also check your pulse to make sure that it is strong and you don’t have anything irregular about your heartbeats.
Urinalysis
You must also agree to a urinalysis during your DOT physical so we can check for medical conditions such as diabetes and for drug and alcohol abuse. If you refuse to take a urine test, we will not be able to give you a passing grade on your DOT physical. Naturally, if you are a commercial truck driver, regular drug testing is required to make sure that you are not abusing drugs and alcohol while you are on your routes.
Complete Exam
Finally, we will also do a complete physical exam to look for things that would suggest you are not in good health, this includes eye conditions such as macular degeneration, ear problems such as perforated eardrums, issues with your breathing or swallowing, issues with your heart, a breathing test, testing for organ abnormalities, testing for muscle weakness, checking your extremities and spine, and a neurological exam.
This complete physical assures us here at Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA, that you are ready to become a commercial truck driver or that you may continue on your driving routes. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
