What are the medical requirements for driving a bus?

Question

i went for an interview today with First busses, and they are sending me on a medical. does anyone know what this involves?

i have a history of borderline high blood pressure, could high blood pressure stop me passing the medical?

Answer 1

I assume it's a DOT physical. Simple, noting to worry about.

Involves, Hight, weight, drug test, reflexes, vision..

High blood pressure shouldn't be a problem.

Answer 2

Yes it could and they will ask you about this and your meds both past and present but they may not allow you to drive....

Answer 3

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulatio...

If the blood pressure is consistently above 160/90 mm. Hg., future tests may be necessary to determine whether the driver is qualified tocontrol and safely operate a school bus.

Every school bus operator must be strong enough to drive the bus with ease. To drive a school bus, you should be able-bodied and free of physical handicaps. You should not suffer from chronic diseases such as heart trouble, seizure disorders, high or low blood pressure, fainting or dizzy spells, diabetes, or any other physical or mental disability that could reduce driver control, and you must never use narcotics, drugs or abuse alcoholic beverages. To safely operate a school bus, you must be in good physical condition. When you are very fatigued or have an illness that requires narcotic drugs or sedation, the school principal should assign a substitute driver. By North Carolina law, every school bus driver must have a valid health certificate. The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the N.C. Department of Human Resources have adopted joint regulations concerning physical requirements for school bus drivers based on the federal requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). An activity bus driver operating out-of-state must hold a current NCDOT Medical Card certifying that he or she has passed a physical examination, as required by the ICC.

i. Vision:

    * Visual Acuity: at least 20/40 for each eye and both eyes together, with or without corrective lenses.

    * Field of Vision: at least 70 degrees in the horizontal median in each eye.

    * Depth Perception: demonstrated ability to distinguish the relative distance of objects from the bus.

    * Color Vision: demonstrated ability to distinguish colors that pertain to driving and traffic control.

ii. Hearing:

To operate a school bus, you must have good hearing to distinguish the warning sounds made by vehicle horns, screeching tires, emergency sirens, railroad crossing signals and train whistles. The ability to hear a whispered voice at five feet is considered adequate. If you use a hearing aid, you should always bring along a spare battery.

iii. Reaction Time:

Your reaction time is the time you need to recognize a driving hazard, remove your foot from the accelerator and engage the brake pedal. Most drivers require a reaction time of about 3-4 seconds. The instructor will judge your reaction time during behind-the-wheel training.

iv. Illness:

You must have no physical or mental illness that interferes with your ability to control and operate a motor vehicle. You must have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a motor vehicle. To operate a commercial motor vehicle, you must have no mental nervous, organic, or functional diseases or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with your ability to drive a motor vehicle safely.

7. Legal Requirements:

To meet legal requirements to drive a school bus, you must:

    * Pass the written examination administered at the conclusion of school bus driver training by the DMV School Bus & Traffic Safety Section;

    * Have a good driving record;

    * Satisfactorily complete behind-the-wheel training,including the three skills tests, in school buses, under the instruction of the DMV School Bus & Traffic Safety Section;

    * Be at least 18 years of age with at least six months driving experience as a licensed operator of a motor vehicle;

    * Have a school bus driver certificate and a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL);

    * Have approval from the principal, transportation director, superintendent, and local board of education.

Answer 4

I've no idea what your medical will involve, but I wouldnt worry about it too much.

I cant see borderline high blood pressure getting in the way though, you're not on medication to manage it so the hospital/your GP cant think it is that dangerous to be borderline high so, I cant see it being a problem for First. They will probably ask about it a lot...and if available may ask you to have a blood pressure check so they can check for themselves thats its only borderline and itsnt likely to cause problems with your driving.

I think the biggest concern with high blood pressure is, if it is high enough you may black out etc, and thats not good when in control of a bus.

Good Luck with your medical and I'm sure you'll fly it :)