DOT Physical?

Question

Are DOT physicals done by family doctors?Also, for those who have passed, I am overweight and don't know if the doctors will find me suitable for a truck job . Will trucking companies hire people to drive even if they are very overweight?

Answer 1

Yes, DOT physicals can be done by your family doctor. I don't believe your weight is as big a factor as blood pressure. As long as your weight doesn't impede you getting in and out of the truck (don't forget about having to hook up the glad-hands), I really don't see this as a problem. I doubt that your doctor will draw any conclusions about your suitability for a particular job, but the companies definitely will.

Answer 2

At least for right now,   who can perform a DOT physical is controlled by state law.   Check your CMV Driver's handbook for your state or call the DMV.

The problems brought on by obesity can disqualify a driver.   These include sleep apnea,  diabetes,  and high blood pressure can disqualify a driver.   Whether or not to hire an individual is up the the company.

If overweight drivers weren't allowed to work,  Americans would starve!

Answer 3

Try it and see---but lets face it--would you want your family killed by some big fat guy who could not control the truck properly or got sick while driving?? This is the whole situation--a truck job is not a game--and companies are not going to have the wrong people driving and being a possible hazard--that's the long and short of it. Good luck.

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

Yes but...............

Most certification examinations of commercial drivers are simple, and relatively few drivers are disqualified.

If these examinations are not done properly, however, the public can be exposed to potentially unqualified drivers.

Should an accident occur, the physician who examined the driver may be found liable. In performing driver certification examinations, the physician's primary responsibility is to the public.

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations and supporting documents provide guidelines for the conditions that may be disqualifying and the conditions that may allow only temporary certification until better medical control is achieved.

Some medical diagnoses, such as insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus, are automatically disqualifying, no matter how well the disease is controlled.

Other conditions may require documented clearance from a specialist before certification is granted.