Passed DOT today, question about company standards?

I had my own physical done so I could get my CLP on my own, was given a 2 year med pass easily.

6'0 and only about 170 lbs. 31 inch waste. Decent shape. I can load my own trailer without a problem.

Then my company tested me with their doctor and would only give me a 1 year pass. Second year went in same thing. Did not eat, drink caffeine, or dip tobacco before my exam. Safety lady recommended I go see a doctor about my BP.

Those tests are weird. I dont get it.

 

When you get self certification, the doctors are easy because they just want their $65. Your blood pressure can be 165/100 but they said you are 123/80. Lol

That’s why most company will do their own medical. Lots of people going to Swift orientation with 2 year medical card and get rejected because their blood pressure is no where close to being acceptable. I mean, I see people who easily weight 350lbs but get 2 year medical card, I mean, come on.

 

Congratulations to you on taking charge like that!

The better companies are stricter on the pre-hire DOT exam than the super lenient exams you can get, if you need one. Sometimes, once you are hired they ease up. Some companies, like my last one, implemented a health check discount for employees if they saw a visiting nurse hired by the company and gave a blood sample, had various simple medical test done. If you opted out of the exam your insurance was $600 more per year.

It varies by company. Talk to drivers at the company you want to work for.

 

I'm over 50 and the sleep test isn't mandatory. I think many drivers are so out of shape that by 50 they qualify for the test.

 

They will give you a chemical push into sleep. I was a night driver for years. The drivers at my company on my shift were scheduled to sleep on a normal day employee's schedule if they got a sleep study.

 

It could be all that fantastic Truck stop food I am eating. I team drive right now so not a lot of time to stop and not a lot of free space to store better food. We both pretty well just eat on the run. No refrigerator or microwave. So its whatever I can scavenge at a Loves or Petro.

 

I blame the sedentary lifestyle in the truck and unlimited fountain drink at Loves. Not to mention all the inflammation you get from not brush your teeth often.