Preparing for a DOT Physical: What Drivers Need To Know

If you need a DOT physical, your medical provider can help. Family Nurse Practitioner Gloria Orellana at La Vida Health in Temple Terrace, FL, offers a wide range of medical services, including DOT physicals.

What You Need To Know About DOT Physicals

A DOT physical is a thorough physical examination you must have to work for the Department of Transportation. A DOT physical is a requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, for anyone driving a commercial vehicle.

So, why do you need a DOT physical? It’s to ensure safety–your safety, the safety of your workplace, the safety of the general public, and the safety of other drivers. A DOT physical is a key requirement to receive a commercial driver’s license or CDL.

A DOT physical is comprehensive and has several steps, including: 

• Checking your vision, which has to be at least 20/40 in both eyes, with or without corrective glasses. You need to also distinguish between different colors to pass the exam.
• Checking your hearing, which has to be able to hear a “forced whisper” from less than five feet away, with or without hearing aids.
• Checking your blood pressure and pulse rate, which are key indicators of whether you can handle the stress of a job requiring long hours of staying seated.
• Ordering laboratory testing, which includes a urinalysis to check for underlying medical conditions requiring treatment.

A comprehensive physical examination is another part of the DOT physical. During the physical examination, your medical provider will examine your:

• Overall appearance, including weight, tremors, or drug/alcohol indications
• Mouth and throat, including breathing and swallowing
• Chest and lungs, including respiration
• Abdomen and organs, including any hernias or masses
• Vascular system, including pulse, and blood flow
• Extremities, including injury, damage, or weakness
• Skeletal system, including tenderness or limitation of motion
• The nervous system, including speech, reflexes, and balance

Your medical provider may also administer necessary vaccinations as part of your DOT physical. You may need vaccinations for:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Polio/Tetanus/Typhoid
• Influenza

Want To Know More About DOT Physicals?

To find out more about DOT physicals, talk with an expert. Call Gloria Orellana at La Vida Health in Temple Terrace, FL. You can reach her in the office by calling (813) 405-8058, so call today.