Commercial Driving, as a profession, is gaining a lot of attention mainly as an individual does not require a lot of experience or a high qualification to pursue this career and make an honest living. However, many individuals are unaware of the prerequisites such as a DOT Physical Exam and a CDL.
While commercial driving license (CDL) is a common topic, a lot of mystery surrounds the DOT Exam. For today’s blog, we will lift that shroud of mystery and learn all about the DOT Physical, including how to prepare for it as well as what will make you fail a DOT physical. So, let’s dive right into it.
An Introduction To DOT Physical
The first question that comes to our mind is “What exactly is a DOT Exam?” Well, the Department of Transportation, commonly known as DOT, is the governing body that requires every commercial driver to go through a physical evaluation. This is a mandatory exam that checks a driver’s ability to safely drive as well as their health conditions.
Without clearing a DOT Physical, an individual cannot obtain a DOT card or certificate which is a legal requirement for all commercial drivers.
Importance Of DOT Exam
The DOT Physical is a crucial matter for every commercial driver. It not only checks for an individual’s capacity to drive on the road but also evaluates their physical health. This is done through an eye exam and a hearing test. The licensed medical examiner may also ask you questions about your health conditions and check for blood pressure and sugar levels. These simple tests ensure that a commercial vehicle’s driver is fit to drive and there is no compromise in the safety of human lives.
Driving a commercial vehicle can be an extremely exhausting task. Drivers need to be vigilant and attentive behind the wheel. Letting go of that concentration for even a split second can have dire consequences. The DOT exam serves as an important step to filter out individuals who are medically not fit to drive on the road for long hours under high pressure.
How To Prepare For the DOT Exam?
A DOT Exam, like any other test, requires you to prepare and be ready for the evaluation. As such you don’t need to learn anything or go through vigorous preparation. If you’re healthy and fit, you’re likely going to pass the exam without doing much. However, it is essential to note that you will need to prepare the required documents and carry them with you on the test day.
Make sure that you carry a valid photo ID along with your commercial driving license. You should also make a list of your current medications and carry it with any recent diagnosis or medical records. If applicable, hearing aids or glasses/contact lenses should be taken for the exam so that you can clear the hearing and vision parts of the test.
Avoid drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes before your DOT physical as nicotine and caffeine can slightly spike up your blood pressure and give the examiner an incorrect reading.
What Will Make You Fail A DOT Physical?
One of the biggest questions people have is “What will make you fail a DOT physical?”
Well, a DOT Physical exam is an extensive evaluation of your medical condition and physical fitness. Hence any health problems could result in failing the test.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that may affect the results of your exam.
- Having blood pressure can be a cause, for concern. It is important to manage it through medication and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
- If your vision is impaired and not corrected with the use of glasses or contact lenses it can pose challenges. Failing to meet the standards may impact your ability to pass certain requirements.
- Insufficient hearing capability that compromises road safety could potentially result in failure. The utilization of hearing aids often proves beneficial in addressing this concern.
- A history of seizures risks your ability to drive a commercial vehicle. It may be necessary to provide evidence that you have these episodes under control and managed appropriately.
- Diabetes can negatively impact your ability to drive safely. It is crucial to manage this condition for the sake of road safety.
- A history of substance abuse could potentially lead to failure. Maintaining sobriety and adhering to a treatment plan are crucial when driving down the highway.
- Certain medications have the potential to induce drowsiness or other side effects that can affect driving abilities and your examiner will take note of that.
- Severe heart problems are another thing that may limit you from getting the DOT card. Obtaining approval, from your doctor and undergoing checkups are requirements.
Cost and Affordable Exam Centers
DOT Physical Exams are generally not too expensive and more often than not, you can opt for walk in DOT Physicals, which is really convenient. Usually, the exam can take anywhere between $100 to $300. However, there are some exam centers where you can get the evaluation from a licensed medical examiner for less than $100. A good example of this is the Dr. Arman’s $80 DOT Physical Exam and Drug Testing Center between Norco, Riverside, and Ontario, CA.
FAQs
Does Health Insurance Cover DOT Physicals?
Generally, health insurance does not cover the DOT Physical Exam, but there are some exceptions. Some companies enter an agreement with health insurance firms to cover the DOT Exam for their commercial drivers.
What Happens After A DOT Physical?
After completing the examination and passing it, you will be issued a Medical Examiner’s Report, which will showcase your test results. This report can be used to obtain your DOT card or your DOT certificate.
Who Can Conduct A DOT Exam?
The DOT Exam can only be conducted by a licensed medical professional. These include Doctors of Medicine (MD), Doctors of Chiropractor (DC), Advanced Practice Nurses (APN), and even Physician Assistants (PA).
Conclusion
To sum it up, DOT exams are extremely important evaluations for drivers before they are allowed to get behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. They evaluate the health and physical fitness of an individual and should not be taken lightly. Once you prepare, just head out to one of the nearest walk in DOT Physicals exam centers near you. If all goes well and you’re in good health, you will easily get your DOT card and the green light to drive a commercial vehicle.
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