CDL Physical

[wvglockguy]

I'm looking into getting my CDL soon to drive church bus for my church. Don't think I will have any problem with getting the CDL, the part I dread is the physical. Anyone here recently gotten a DOT physical? What is involved and how in-depth does it go? I don't have any health problems that would hinder it, I just hate going to Drs of any kind for any reason.

[Guest spoolie]

Blood Pressure...sugar in the piss...eyes....

[wvglockguy]

thanks that is what i have been finding from most sources, just dont want any surprises (finger)

[Oh Shoot]

I'm looking into getting my CDL soon to drive church bus for my church. Don't think I will have any problem with getting the CDL, the part I dread is the physical. Anyone here recently gotten a DOT physical? What is involved and how in-depth does it go? I don't have any health problems that would hinder it, I just hate going to Drs of any kind for any reason.

Best I remember, standard eye chart, identify red green yellow (point to colored objects in room), low down hearing check (whisper), blood pressure, low level check of leg and arm strength, pee sample for blood or high sugar, quick stethoscope listen, quick look at ENT, like that.

I think that's about it. 'Bout 40-50 bucks best I remember from places that routinely do it.

Here's actual medical form from FMCSA:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/forms/649f.pdf

Even though I'm retired from everything, gonna re-up my CDL just in case, and you have to have current medical card to do it, even if you're not currently working as a driver anywhere.

Edit: no finger up the ass.

- OS

Edited October 20, 2011 by OhShoot

[BrasilNuts]

If the Dr. tries to check your prostate for a DOT physical you need to leave.

Most people have a problem with their BP.

[MudBugjr]

Yeah the Bp was an issue for a ot of guys I used to work with. I dodrive anymore but I hang onto my liscence just in case. you never know.

[willis68]

The standard DOT physical is nothing, Blood Pressure as mentioned before, I still keep my class A even though I have not used it in over 12 years, my last DOT was 9 months ago my Offshore certification physicals make the DOT physical seem laughable,

Best of luck to you

[laktrash]

nevermind

[wvglockguy]

thanks for all the input! hopefully ill be working on getting it sometime this winter when my work slows down

[Bad_Bowtie]

Been thincking about getting my medical card, and taking on a little side work running a dump truck for a friend. Ive never needed one before since I drive for a goverment agency. Glad to hear theres no finger...

Edited October 21, 2011 by Bad_Bowtie

[56FordGuy]

Like the others said, not much to it. Closest you'll get to a finger test is a hernia check.

[NextExit]

Edit: no finger up the ass.

- OS

Depends on the company. Schneider National requires it and they don't care what your age is. And some, like Knight Transportation, require a stress test. And some are very lenient. If you can walk into the exam room and not be out of breath, you passed.

Also, if you wear glasses, you will need to have a second pair with you. Blood pressure is the main thing. If it's high, the doctor will check it again in about 5 minutes. If it's still high, then they will tell you to come back the next day to test again. If it's high for 3 consecutive days then you fail.

Just don't drink any of that Hi-Test coffee from Pilot and you'll be ok!!

[Oh Shoot]

Depends on the company. Schneider National requires it and they don't care what your age is. And some, like Knight Transportation, require a stress test. And some are very lenient. If you can walk into the exam room and not be out of breath, you passed. ...

Those are company specific physical requirements however, not part of the federally mandated CDL physical as specified under the FMCSA.

- OS

[AirCav]

I'm looking into getting my CDL soon to drive church bus for my church. Don't think I will have any problem with getting the CDL, the part I dread is the physical. Anyone here recently gotten a DOT physical? What is involved and how in-depth does it go? I don't have any health problems that would hinder it, I just hate going to Drs of any kind for any reason.

I think the easiest way to get it done is go to one of those walk-in "Doc in a Box" clinic places. The one I've used is in a drug store. Pretty cheap, no wait, no muss, no fuss. I think that most are staffed by nurse practitioners.

It beats the hassle of a doctors office for simple stuff.

[Oh Shoot]

In Knoxville, the big walk in at Family Care Practice on Middlebrook near the main Post Office does a ton of them.

- OS

[laktrash]

There's another one on Kingston Pike just below Rodgers Cadillac. I went there and it was one of the easier ones I've been to