DOT physical frequency

some companies accept your med card
some require their own physical
until you give us companies we cant tell you the difference
I know Trans Am requires you to have your med card before orientation

 

Every company I've been to makes you take their company sponsored physical. They might have the doc look for stuff above the regulations.

If you have high readings it's time to consider BP medicine.

Don't smoke or drink coffee before the physical. Avoid eating a big breakfast. Try to relax at least 3 minutes before the BP reading by meditating and breathing calmly. Even the walk back to the testing area can raise your BP. If you do get a high reading they'll give you a chance to calm down and they'll do a second and possibly third reading. If they see a problem like you pass on the third time they'll give you a reduced card and tell you to get on the meds.

 

I agree with those posts above me. If a company you go to work for requires a new physical, they will cover the cost.

Keep in mind, there is a change regarding who can perform a DOT physical that goes into effect on May 21, 2014.

https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot...._Driver-trifold_final_version_for_website.pdf

 

Normally, your medical card is good for 2 years BUT there are exceptions.
.Exception number 1 - if you are on blood pressure meds, your med card is good for 1 year.
.Exception number 2 - if you just got a pacemaker you get a 6 months med card and then you get re-examined for either a 1 or 2 year card.
.However if you have a pacemaker that has a defibrilator component, Dot regulations disqualifies you from getting a med card at all. And no med card means you cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle.

 

Good points in this thread. The medical card will vary within high BP as well - stage 2, 3, etc.

The overall best point is to work on modifiable factors in reducing BP for your own good! BP wreaks havoc on organs and systems, therefore for your own health it is important to pay attention to this. Driving is secondary.

That being said, we make sure to help drivers give their best/lowest reading - we put them on our Aqua bed if need be to relax them (we are a chiropractic clinic).

I want a true representative reading without other factors (stress, white coat symdrome, etc.) giving false high.

 

Hey guys! I really need some help. I've been driving for a year and have taken two physicals already (left company and came back). My current is valid til Sept 2016. I head to orientation with Roehl in two weeks for my new job as an experienced driver. I know I'll have to take the drug test but will I have to retake the physical? My vision is boarder line right now at 20/30. My recruiter is out of the office until after Christmas that's why I came here to ask. All responses are appreciated!

 

The medical card (physical) is good until that date (Sept 2016) regardless of where you are working - it is a federal certification, therefore it is not dependent on a given job. That being said, I have seen drivers who work for companies who require an annual physical or have certain guidelines on their own - but that would be in their contract that you sign and something you are agreeing to so you should know that upon hire/up front I would think. Same with drug testing of course. The vision is fine if that is what you are. Let me know if you have any further questions.