DOT Physical Exam in Reisterstown MD and Halethorpe MD

The United States of America is one of the countries with the most traffic-related deaths when taken per 1 million people.

Driver health in Reisterstown MD and Halethorpe MD is a crucial factor in preventing fatal accidents and ensuring the safety of both passengers and drivers. A DOT physical is a preventive measure, which encourages commercial drivers to be more responsible on the roads.

A DOT or Department of Transportation medical exam is a physical examination performed to qualify drivers for commercial driving. A DOT physical examines if as a driver of a commercial vehicle, you are physically qualified to do the job. The FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – makes DOT exams mandatory for commercial drivers.

A DOT exam includes different types of tests, including auditory, vision and blood pressure tests. If you are going to take a DOT physical, then find out all relevant information about the process here.

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Where are DOT Reports Used?

As a commercial driver, you are likely to put in long hours and may be required to adhere to a stringent work schedule. Your body and mind should be able to cope with this stress to ensure safety. A DOT exam examines if you can keep up with the intense job demands.

If you are applying for a license as a commercial driver, then you will need a DOT medical card. Officials evaluate your physical and mental ability to meet the demands of commercial transportation.

A DOT physical is required if you are:

• Executing a job that involves transporting more than 8 people for a fee (including driver)
• Involved in a job that requires transportation of over 15 people regularly (including driver)
• Transporting hazardous materials that necessitates a hazmat placard on your vehicle
• Using a motor vehicle featuring over 10, 000 pounds of gross combination weight rating

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Validity of a DOT Physical in Reisterstown MD and Halethorpe MD

Upon completion of a DOT exam, you are issued a medical certificate. A DOT certificate is valid for up to 2 years.

This certification time depends on your physical health though. If you have any of the following medical conditions, then you will be required to have an annual DOT exam:

• Hypertension / high blood pressure
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Heart conditions -stents, heart attack, AFib, bypass
• Sleep Apnea
• Recent Cancer
• Kidney failure

In some cases, the severity of a medical condition may be high, and the patient may be undergoing treatment. In such cases, the individual may have to undergo a DOT physical every 3 months.

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What does a DOT Physical Involve?

A DOT physical involves completion of a form about your complete physical condition. You need to fill in details about:

• Your current medications
• Surgeries you may have undergone
• History of use of substances such as tobacco, alcohol or other
• Any medical symptoms you may be currently experiencing

You can obtain this form a few days before your DOT physical and submit the completed form on the day of the exam.

A DOT physical includes different tests, including:

Vision

Vision test requires that each of your eyes possesses a 20/ 40 acuity. This acuity standard can be achieved either by using corrective lenses or without them. If you have a permanent impairment to one eye (monocular vision) you can still pass if you have your eye specialist, Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, fill out MCSA Form 5781. Your eyes should be able to identify traffic signal colors. For more on DOT vision test, see here.

Hearing

DOT hearing test requires you to be able to hear a forced whisper 5 feet away or at a greater distance. You can use a hearing aid for the test or test without any device.

An alternative option is to undergo a formal hearing test using an audiometer.

Blood Pressure

To qualify, a candidate should show a reading less than 140/ 90. Any reading greater than or lesser than the standard may qualify for a certificate but the period of validity is lesser than the 2-year period.

Urine Test

A urine test is performed to test your blood sugar levels and derive information about other health indicators. A urine test shows if your kidneys are functioning well, whether you are hydrated or not, and if you may have a urinary tract infection or possible kidney stones.

The objective of all DOT tests is to understand your complete health condition. This helps medical examiners and officials evaluate if you are fit to drive a vehicle safely.

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Preparing for a DOT Test

In addition to preparing for the above tests, ensure that you do the following to be well prepared for a DOT test:

• Keep your medical history reports. List all your current medications and dosages
• Take your contact lenses or glasses for the vision test
• Carry your hearing aid if you use one. Keep your Audiometry report
• Keep details of specialist doctors you may be seeing, along with their contact details
• Request a clearance letter from your doctor if you are receiving any treatment from a doctor for heart conditions, depression, anxiety, psychiatric conditions, ADHD, or if you take insulin.
• Bring your 90 day CPAP usage report in you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Bring your latest A1C report if you have Diabetes

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Who Conducts a DOT Physical?

According to the FMCSA, a DOT physical exam must be performed by a “medical examiner”. The FMCSA recognizes only medical examiners listed in its national registry. A medical examiner can include the following practitioners, according to the FMCSA:

• Doctors of Medicine or MD
• Physician Assistants or PA (working under an MD)
• Doctors of Chiropractic or DC
• Doctors of Osteopathy or DO
• Advanced Practice Nurses or APN

You can use the FMCSA tool to search for eligible medical examiners.

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Is it Too Difficult to Pass a DOT Physical?

The purpose of a DOT exam is to evaluate your physical condition and your suitability for the job of a commercial driver. If you are taking treatment for any medical condition, then you may get a DOT certificate. This is because treatment can cure/ correct/ alleviate symptoms of the condition, which makes the condition manageable.

But certain medical conditions may directly make you ineligible for a DOT exam:

• Deafness
• Diabetes that is not under control
• Vision problems that cannot be corrected (must have MCSA Form 5781 - Vision)
• Epilepsy (must be seizure free for 8 yrs)
• Lung or heart conditions that are not properly managed
• Narcolepsy
• Insulin – (must have MCSA Form 5870 - Insulin)

Follow some healthy practices to improve your chances of passing a DOT physical:

• Stop intake of energy drinks and coffee on the day of the test
• Ensure that you follow your medication schedule correctly
• Stay away from heavy alcohol intake
• Drink more water
• Avoid salty snacks and other foods that can increase blood pressure
• Avoid sweets with excess sugar as they can alter your blood sugar levels
• Maintain a healthy and stable body weight (BMI less than 33 is ideal)

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In Conclusion

Passing a DOT physical is mandatory if you want to drive commercial vehicles. This examination is vital to know if you can be a responsible commercial vehicle driver. You can visit an FMCSA-recognized medical examiner to get a DOT physical exam.

If the medical examiner finds you physically eligible for commercial driving, then he/ she will issue a long form report (4 pages). The examiner will also issue a Medical Examiner’s Certificate/ Card. You can use this certificate/ card for 2 years. In case of any severe medical conditions or ongoing treatments, you may be asked to take a DOT exam more frequently.

Ensure your safety as well as the safety of your passengers. Start with a DOT physical.

References

• FMCSA
• Healthline
• naomedical
• FMCSA2
• Work Health Solutions
• DOT Physical Doctors
• ArcBest
• DOT Exam Locations
• InterState Medical Group