Hello everyone, this is my first time here and it looked like the best forum to start my question! Everyone here seems very knowledgable and the forums is booming with activity!

My questions pertains to the DOT physical. Simply put, what is it?!
I know its the Dep. of Trans. but what is involved? How long does it take? Is it the type of physical where you get undressed, put on the paper gown and the doctor gropes your genitals?

I know this sounds funny, but what ALL is involved in this DOT physical?

I'm 6 foot even, and around 350lbs. I am aware I am overweight but other then that I have NO health issues (thankfully). This is one step in my quest to change my life for the better, and of course a more healthy lifestyle is ahead!

I will be leaving for CDL School here in the begining of November and will be headed to Swift Transportation in Phoenix, AZ. I am trying to get everything situated before I leave as I hate jumping into things blindly.

I've talked with many actual drivers, as I worked in a shipping warehouse prior to wanting to become a driver myself.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Typically like any other physical.... although the men will have to answer if they check "your undercarriage"... The doctor will check your vitals - pulse, respiration, b/p, they will check your weight, your respiration, your joints.. they always asked me to stand up and then squat then come back up.. they may ask you to bend over.. They will check your eye sight with or without glasses. I think they check to see if you have diabetes.. -- can't remember.. They will give you a drug test.. (study your drugs now)... They will ask you about your history, family history, any surgeries, etc. He will listen to your heart as well.

I probably left something out, but that gives you a general idea.

Good luck...

CA

You will also have to lift progressively heavier weights up to varying heights from the floor lifting with your legs and then squatting down and putting it on your shoulder and standing up to put it on the shelf for a total of six reps. The weights start at around 50 pounds and end up at 83. The shelves start at chest high and then go to about head high. Then you have to pull a handle that tests the force you put on it. You have to generate and hold 100 pounds pulling chest high, pushing chest high then pulling at a downward angle about chest high.
Then you will have to carry a box of weights of progressively heavier weights about 30 feet getting heavier each of three times. then you'll have to get on a step ladder by skipping the first two rungs and the ladder is also on a 6 inch high platform. Have fun.

__________________
Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
-Mark Twain

All of that is absolutely no problem.... I've done a physical like this before no problem, my main concern was stripping down and being violated by a doctor

I never did the sports physicals for that main reason.... and that was one of my main concerns. I mean i'll go through with it if I HAVE to, but if thats something that is NOT done, then it will be that much better in my books...

I just dont like the fact of another person who I dont know well groping my genitals!

The drug test does not worry me one bit, i'm not a user so that isnt even a concern... I guess you all catch my main concern here LOL

As far as I can find through my research, DOT doesn't require anyone to perform this type of testing. At least, not according to the Medical Report instructions found at DOT's website (neither I nor any of the other guys I go to school with had to do this either and you have to have a Medical Card before you can drive a Class A even with just a learner's permit).

More than likely, it was your company that required this portion of the exam. Who do you drive for?

From what I've found they will test the following (or are SUPPOSED to anyway):
Hearing (whisper from something like 5 feet away)
Vision
Blood Pressure
Diabetes test (usually stick test for protein in urine)
Pulse
Breathing
Hernia (yeah, grab the jollies)
Listen to heart
Check eardrums (stick the scope in the ears)
Check nervous system (they look for signs of problems such as shaking hands, etc.)
Check mouth and throat
Make sure you have all limbs, including fingers and toes and that they all work properly(will need a waiver if missing anything or have arthritis, etc.)
Scar inspection (will check to see if you have scars from major surgery)

To see the complete requirements for the Medical Report, go to DOT's website, then do a search for "DOT medical exam" and then click on the link for the Medical Examination Report. I'd post the link, but can't due to the anti-spam rules.

Very infomative, thank you very much!

Something I wont want to neccisarily go through, but will have to suck it up and go throught with it!

I am actually not a driver yet... Will be leaving for CDL training school for SWIFT in November!

It's a Swift physical qualification.

__________________
Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
-Mark Twain

Guess you Swift guys do a lot of your own lumping?

A big thing seems to be blood pressure. If it's a little high, they may wait 10-15 minutes before re-testing you to rule out any possability of "white coat reaction". If it's still high, they'll maybe okay you for only 6 months, and refer you for treatment (pills, diet, and exercise).

Also, it's my experience that copping to more than 10 alcoholic drinks per week is cause for the doctor to dis-approve a DOT physical, and a referal for evaluation/counciling, before signing off on it.

I'm on a dedicated route for a Bakery that makes food for Brownberry and there is some lumping involved, for which we are paid. But OTR will be allot more no touch.

__________________
Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
-Mark Twain