The Medical Physcial

I don't know why MI would be any different. But the physical for the CDL has no strength or endurance aspects to it. Just vital signs: BP, hearing, sight, the basics.

Individual companies may have stricter requirements and that is probably what you are hearing. Some have you lift, some squat and walk, some carry and climb. Just depends on what the job calls for. No touch freight and drop and hooks don't require anything really.

 

There are various guidelines that they look for. Here is everything you would need..... form, regs, and the whole nine yards straight from the horse.

Also, all of the standards are on the pages following the form that the doctor would fill out

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safetyprograms/Medical-Report.pdf

 

The DOT physical shouldn't be a problem.
However, I know that Swift and Schneider have a physical ability test. With Swift you have to lift 75 lb.s from hip height, carry it 60 feet, put it down and do that 3 times.
Next you have lift the 75 lbs. from hip height to the crown of your head 3 times.
Then pull and push with a force of 100 lbs.
Squat 5 times. And last balance on one foot 10 seconds each.
The whole time your heart rate and blood pressure are being monitored.
As a 54 year old woman, I failed the very first one and got sent home. I can do 50 lbs all day, but that 75 lbs did me in.
So, I'm working with a trainer to get my strength up and will try again when I'm stronger and know I can do it.....

 

A good idea too is to get your bone density checked and make sure there's no early osteopenia or osteoporosis creeping in. Even if you can do it strength-wise it still may not be a good idea. But even if you are at-risk, a prescription for a bisphosphonate such as Fosamax or Boniva would go a long way.