Everything You Need to Know About DOT Physical Exams

If you're new to the commercial motor vehicle industry, you might be wondering what a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is and what's involved with it. We here at WiseCare Urgent Care in Severna Park and Pasadena, Maryland, would like to answer those questions for you.

What is a DOT physical exam?

A DOT physical exam is an exam you're required to have before you operate a commercial vehicle. The exam ensures you don't have any health problems that may affect your ability to drive the commercial vehicle safely. In addition, it will determine whether or not you're fit for this line of work based on your current health status and medical history.

For you to comply with federal law, the DOT physical must be completed by a qualified doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant. Luckily, you can comply with federal law by seeing Dr. Perry Weisman and our team here at WiseCare Urgent Care. 

You'll need to bring a list of any medications you currently take, including your dosages, dosage regimen, and the name and address of the prescribing doctor. You should also fill out a health history questionnaire before coming to our office to save time.

To ensure the exam is thorough, if you have any medical problems, you'll need to bring the appropriate items or documents along with you, such as:

• Your hearing aids and eyeglasses or contacts if you have hearing or vision problems.

• Recent hemoglobin A1C (HgAIC) lab results and blood sugar logs if you have diabetes.

• A letter from your cardiologist outlining your current medications and medical history and stating if it's safe for you to work if you have a heart-related problem.

What happens during a DOT physical exam?

During your visit with us, we'll ensure your body is at peak function. We'll closely monitor you for any potential problems and intervene if necessary to ensure your overall wellness. During your exam, we'll likely:

• Perform a vision test (drivers need to have a minimum of 20/40 acuity in both eyes).

• Check your pulse and blood pressure.

• Look at your throat and mouth for issues swallowing or breathing.

• Examine your ears and check your ability to perceive a "forced whisper" from a minimum of five feet away.

• Perform a hernia check.

• Check for spinal deformities.

• Listen to your lungs and heart and check for impaired respiratory functions and murmurs.

• Perform a neurological exam to ensure your reflexes and coordination aren't impaired.

• Check for abnormalities in your abdomen.

• Conduct a urinalysis to check for indications of any underlying medical conditions.

Your DOT physical exam will be valid for up to 24 months; however, we may also provide a medical examiner's certificate that's less than this time if your condition needs to be monitored, like with high blood pressure.

For your DOT physical exam, schedule an appointment with us at either of our two locations to get the best treatment so that you can get back in the game as soon as possible.