Is it a basic physical? :?: ie: eyes, ears and blood pressure.

The question is what does it consist of ??

 

It is a basic physical, although they don't usually check the prostate. They check your eyes, heart, lungs, blood pressure, flexibility, etc., They may have you do some squats and running in place. I have even had to do some stretching. It will differ somewhat from one doctor to another. They are usually pretty thorough. The blood pressure and drug test are probably the two they seem to be most concerned. If you are in reasonably good health, you should not have any trouble passing.

 

Thanks,

GMAN I don't have a problem with any of that. I have never used drugs and I don't drink. I had a DOT physical for the school district I worked for and it seems what you explained is exactly the same physical. I thought that it might be a more in depth physical with more test and such. If necessary, does the DOT allow blood pressure medications to be taken? I know they allow you to take insulin medications by pill but, not by injection. Oh, by the way does the doctor issue you a DOT card??

 

You can take blood pressure medication. I believe you can now pass the DOT if you take insulin injections. If you take insulin, I believe you have to take a physical annually instead of every two years. The doctor will issue the long form and card once you pass the physical.

 

Physical Exam

 

It just so happens I'm going for my DOT physical and drug test today at 2:30 so I can get into tech. school.

So you can have diabetes and still drive 18-wheelers? If so, can it be OTR? I'd always thought you could, but someone said you couldn't drive OTR...

 

I checked the FMCRA website and found that you can drive otr as long as the diabetes can be controlled by diet or pills. Apparently, they still will not allow you to driver otr if you are on insulin. I know there was some discussion, earlier this year, about allowing insulin depend drivers to go otr, but that must not have passed. I apologize for the mixup. Good luck with the physical.

 

Depending on your doctor, he may decide to check for a hernia. My DR. just asks me every time If I've had a hernia since the last visit. Also, when they check your BP. If It seems high to you, don't hesitate to ask If someone else can check It as well. I've seen many newbie nurses that had problems reading the old sphygmomanometer. Just my $.02 worth.

 

Actually they will allow an insulin dependant diabetic to drive but they must be granted an excemption first from the regs and to get that excemption you have to jump through about 20 extra hoops, like be under the care of an endocrinoligist, have zero episodes of low blood sugar for 3 months, and so on.

The only good news is that they did away with the 2 years of driving on insulin requirement.

 

Just had mine done on the 6th...more health questions then actual examination. Was prepared for the worst, but really not much to it.