Starting with Roehl in February

>>What are the blood pressure requirements to pass the DOT physical?

Here are the medical guidelines according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Note that employers are allowed to impose more stringent medical requirements.

• A driver with a BP of less than 140 / 90 may be medically certified to drive for a two-year period.

• A driver with a BP of 140 – 159 systolic and /or a BP of 90-99 diastolic, has stage 1 hypertension, and may be medically certified to drive for a one-year period. Certification examinations should be done annually thereafter and should be at or less than 140/90.

• A driver with a a BP of 160-179 systolic and/or a BP of 100-109 diastolic, has stage 2 hypertension, and is a candidate for antihypertensive drug therapy. The driver is given a one-time certification of three months to reduce his or her blood pressure to less than or equal to 140/90. Provided treatment is well tolerated and the driver demonstrates a BP value of 140/90 or less, he or she may be re-certified for one year from the date of the initial exam. The driver is certified annually thereafter.

• A driver with a BP at or greater than 180 systolic and / or 110 diastolic has stage 3 hypertension and is disqualified. The driver may not be qualified, even temporarily, until blood pressure is reduced to equal to or less than 140/90 and treatment is well tolerated. The driver may be certified for 6 months and biannually (every 6 months) thereafter if at recheck BP is equal to or less than 140/90.

Drivers with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease require treatment if their blood pressure rises above 130/80, since they already have a high risk of heart disease.<<
From this website> http://dotphysicaldoctor.com/faq/blood-pressure-and-hypertension/

 

Check your local library , can check out audio books ,

 

When I was in CDL school, I researched dozens of companies and Roehl finished second out of my top 3. They have a solid reputation within the industry, although they are not at the top of the wage scale their pay is above average for new drivers and appear to have decent well maintained equipment. A huge factor for me is the fact they are veteran friendly and one of the few firms which have a VA OJT Program which runs for 24 months. One big negative is a new hire must pay their own way to Orientation. Almost every other company I checked out will at least give you a Greyhound bus ticket - not the most luxurious mode of travel but if you choose to travel by other means the company will almost always reimburse you for what bus fare would have cost them.

 

Thanks but I was looking for specifics on Roehl's testing that they do . Not DOT requirements.

 

Where do you think THEIR requirements come from?

 

They could have seperate requirements to meet during their physical assessment test. I'm on BP meds and it's under control but has a tendency to go up under stress but will come back down. I can pass DOT but I just don't want to quit my current job to be sent home on the first day because of my BP or heart rate being too high during the testing. I tried asking my recruiter but she just said check with my PCP.

 

If you can pass the DOT stuff then you can pass Roehl's tests. They need you. It is in their best interest to help you get through the test.

If this four eyed middle aged fat man can do it.....I am sure you can with ease.

 

Thanks. That puts my mind at ease. Not knowing how strict or lenient they are with numbers I wasn't sure if I should give up a 16 year career just to get sent home on day one. Much appreciated!

 

Definitely ask your recruiter about the specifics of the physical agility test if you are concerned. I was given a pictoral sheet of all of the exercises that need to be done to pass the test, which also included the required heart rate. They also included a tip sheet for how to get the best result on the testing day. I have been very impressed with how transparent they have been about the requirements. I am hoping that within the four months I have till I finish my CDL, I will be able to improve my stamina a bit.