Working as a commercial vehicle driver isn’t easy. It can take a toll on both your mind and body. This is why not everyone can take up this job, and survive in it for long.
But how is one’s ability assessed for working as a commercial vehicle driver? Miami DOT medical exam is one method that has successfully helped people identify their potential and go on to become successful truck drivers over the years.
DOT Physical
As a commercial vehicle driver, you will know your job better than everyone. Even then, you are expected to clear a physical exam that assesses your physical ability to continue being on the road for several hours at a stretch. DOT Physical is a check-up process required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ascertain your physical and mental ability to do the job safely.
Drivers Who Should Take This Exam
While clearing Miami DOT medical exam can benefit every professional vehicle driver, some have to mandatorily take it. These drivers are the ones who:
- Transport hazardous materials in heavy vehicles and have a hazmat placard on display
- Drive motor vehicles with more than 15 people on board
- Drive motor vehicles (for private purposes) with more than 8 people on board
- Drive heavy commercial vehicles with a combined gross weight of over 10,000 pounds
Components of DOT Physical Exam
A DOT Physical exam begins with a quick assessment of your medical history. That covers assessment of any condition you suffer from, and what you are doing about them.
The exam also comprises an assessment of your vision, hearing ability, as well as the health of your mouth and throat, heart, and even abdomen.
You further have to take a urine test, which will assess your protein levels as well as blood sugar levels
You will also be diagnosed for consumption of any kind of drugs that violate DOT standards.
Your blood pressure will be assessed, followed by a review of your mental ability, which is necessary to determine how you react to critical situations. You need to be able to ace it, which determines if you can continue doing that while being on the road for hours in one go.
Validity of DOT Medical Card
For healthy individuals, a DOT medical card has a validity of 2 years. Post that, you need to take the exam again and get a further extension.
However, the validity of your DOT physical card can be as low as 3 months if you suffer from high blood pressure situations. You can still clear the exam but you must make sure to bring all your prescriptions and medications while walking in.
Where Can You Take Your Exam?
Know this, not every medical facility has the authorization to conduct DOT physical exams. Only the top medical facilities with DOT-certified medical examiners can conduct these exams. Medical examiners who conduct these exams can be:
- Chiropractors
- Medical Doctors
- Physician Assistants
- Osteopathic Doctors
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
You can get details for the leading medical examiners based near you by referring to FMCSA’s National Registry Tool.
Can You Fail a DOT Physical Exam?
There are different methods through which you can overcome most of the medical issues that can stop you from becoming a commercial driver. However, you can fail the exam due to certain medical conditions that are beyond recovery. These include:
- Very poor vision that cannot be corrected
- Permanent deafness
- Diabetes Mellitus disorder, which abnormally increases blood sugar levels
- Narcolepsy, which is a rare yet serious sleep disorder
- High blood pressure of over 180/100, which is the maximum permissible limit for CDL
- Epilepsy, or recurring seizures
If you don’t suffer from either of the above conditions, you can breathe a sigh of relief. You have one less major issue to worry about.
Come prepared with all the documents that are required for confirming your identity as well as medical status and history. Fill the form available at the clinic and submit it to start the exam.
Get in touch with your nearest Miami DOT medical exam center today to know more.
