The stress and anxiety of traversing icy mountain roads with a full load pale by comparison to taking the U.S. Department of Transportation’s mandated physical examination. The checkup is designed to ensure that only physically and mentally fit CDL-holders get behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer or other heavy-duty vehicle. Failing to pass the examination can sideline truck drivers with little warning while their livelihoods are put on hold.
There is some encouraging news for truckers who are concerned about health issues that make them marginal exam passers. A medical expert does not necessarily have the authority to scuttle your career based on a single checkup. Qualified truck drivers who do not meet the federal health standards enjoy the opportunity to appeal, make changes, and overcome DOT adversity. By understanding the expectations and taking corrective measures, truckers can satisfy the requirement and get back to work.
What Does the DOT Test Entail?
It may be helpful to break the examination into three categories — health history, physical examination, and urine test. The certified examiner typically collects background information regarding any health issues, surgeries, or medications, among others. This person may also ask questions about family health histories because some conditions are genetically passed along.
The physical examination does not necessarily consider fitness, per se. Rather it is designed to identify health-related issues that create a truck-driving safety risk to drivers and others on the road. These include the following.
- Effective Hearing
- Reasonably Safe Vision
- Blood Pressure and Hypertension
- Neurological Disorders and Indications of Muscular Weakness
What all these and others health issues have in common is they have the potential to put people at risk. Identifying objects, small vehicles, motorcycles, and the ability to effectively leverage driving skills during heightened situations are the underlying idea behind the test. However, a failed physical examination can be overcome.
How to Reverse a Failed DOT Exam
Corrective measures usually begin by contacting your primary care provider and scheduling an appointment. Bring your DOT results and work with a health care professional to make necessary changes. Things such as blood pressure, vision, and diminished hearing can be corrected with medication, eyeglasses, or hearing aids. Those rank among the relatively easy fixes for truck drivers. Other conditions, as well as severe ones, may require changes to diet, increased exercise, or rehabilitation services. The bottom line is that taking proactive measures can create an opportunity to retake the exam, pass, and return to work.
Experienced truckers are keenly aware of why a urine sample is required. The DOT will test for controlled substances and excessive alcohol use to ensure people who are impaired are not allowed to operate a heavy-duty vehicle. People who fail that test will be sidelined until certain conditions are met, and they are safe to return to work.
Sources: driveco.com, healthline.com
I was turned down my vision in right needs to be fixed waiting on dr appointments my BMI was 43 wanted me to do sleep test get c pack machine use for 3 or 4 months then come back my physical ends 9 16 21 been driving 55 years
They trying to get rid of the old war horses & bring in younger blood, legal or not. I been at it 40+ yrs
They didn’t give me time to get any of this done
A sleep study is not part of a DOT physical. They abandoned this years ago. Just go to a different examiner. As for the eyes, just get better glasses. You only need 20/40 vision to pass,
GET OFF YOUR ASS AND GET A PHYSICAL EVERY YEAR…
THAT GIVES YOU TIME TO “GET-FIXED” BEFORE YOU HAVE TO TURN-IN A PHYSICAL FOR RECORD
It might help the situation if all doctors did the physical the same way and got their info straight before hand. I’ve had physicals that took less than 10 minutes and others that took almost 45. I’ve passed some with blood pressure over 140/90 and “failed” others with 135/85. I use a CPAP machine the minimum required number of hours just to pass and now we are being told CPAP machines may cause cancer. It’s a money grab, just like 99% of what the federal government mandates. If it was really about ensuring only safe drivers are ont he road, EVERY driver, not just professionals, would be required to pass a physical with the same criteria.
Amen to that
I had a a examiner fail me because he looked at some history and decided for himself that I had a TIA. (He is a PA, not a MD.) Finally after 4 different appointments, and a letter from a Neurologist, I was able to pass the physical.
I have been driving semi trucks since 1978.and always received a 2 year card no issues & good health . Recently was rejected by Crete because when I was 10 years old I was hit by a car and was unconscious for a bit . Fully cleared by a neurologist with no side effects . The Crete doctor said I was not qualified because of that accident in 1965 ! That is ridiculous, I have excellent driving record and years of experience. The regulations are overbearing and push out older experienced safe drivers. I am 66 and in excellent health too. Government overreach.
How would Crete know about this unless you told them. Never and I repeat NEVER tell them anything if you don’t have to. I am 69 and don’t tell them what medicine I am on or any medical problems I have and pass test every time
What happens when a quack b*tch tells you, you have an irregular heartbeat you try to explain to her they just upped your blood pressure medicine 5 weeks earlier it cost me $40,000 bucks to keep my CDL and 3 and 1/2 months off work going through test they couldn’t schedule in one damn week, I passed all my tests and proved I was a okay I’m only out about 90 grand out no big deal us drivers have so much money we can poop it out more of the federal government sticking their stinking nose in our business where they don’t need to be. I want to know how much more restrictions they’re going to put on truck drivers before none of us can drive trucks anymore I’ve been out here 44 years
I took 2 DOT preemployment drug screenings the same day the next week an MRO notified me i had tested positive. Later found out that i had passed the other. Didn’t know i could have the split sample tested at another site. A month later i did another preemployment screening and no positive, however upon checking the clearinghouse found my cdl suspended for the positive result. Started driving at 16 and i’m 61 now no tickets or accidents ever but now i had to be assessed by a SAP, pay him $700 and follow his instructions. 12 hrs of AA,NA, or CA meetings and i must supply an email or phone number of person leading the meeting. Anonymous is in the name for a reason, no one is willing to do this. Also read a book and an article and write a 300 word essay on each. And i have to be quizzed on the book by the Substance Abuse Professional(psychologist). There is not other option but to do as this SAP instructs to get to reinstate my CDL. I am adamant about not using drugs or drinking and driving and believe it was a false positive test result. Yet feel that i have no option but to follow these instructions. For all my safe years i am now considered an addict due to this one test result.
Try This, Do as they say & File a lawsuit against the testing site that found a positive result. Not ONLY against the site but the tech personally & have them investigated for other false positives against drivers. (This IS if you are truly a false positive) A good lawyer will get this squared in reasonably short order with proven records. This IS part of the appeals process , so you DO have the right to file lawsuits (justifiable) against them. You HAVE to stick to your guns though. I did it & it worked, but was a real pain, but they don’t bother me anymore. I am 63.