Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all commercial vehicle drivers are required to take a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical in order to verify physical fitness for employment.
Who Must Get A DOT Physical?
All commercial drivers, meaning those operating any vehicle exceeding 10,001 lbs., any vehicle designed to carry more than 15 people, or any vehicle in possession of, or responsible for transporting, hazardous materials, must get a DOT physical. This may include bus drivers, truck drivers, and just about any other professional driver out there you can think of.
How Long Is A DOT Physical Valid?
Typically, a DOT physical will remain in good standing for two years, unless the driver has some sort of mental or physical condition that requires closer monitoring. Some of these conditions may include diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and high blood pressure. If you have one of these, or any other potentially debilitating condition capable of interfering with your ability to safely perform your duties and protect your passengers, you may be required to refresh your DOT physicals annually, or even quarterly, as necessary.
What To Expect Of Your DOT Physical
The first step of your DOT physical will be the information gathering portion, in which your provider will try to learn as much about your current health, and health history, as possible to verify your abilities to perform the jobs expected of you. You will need to disclose all information related to what medications you’re on, what surgeries you’ve had, what substances you partake in, any and all symptoms or diagnoses currently affecting your health, and whatever else may be deemed relevant.
The next step in your DOT physical process will be your actual physical exam, which is just a detailed assessment of your general physical health. Your doctor will check your height, weight, neck circumference, vision, hearing, blood pressure, heart rate, and everything else to ensure nothing is left out of your detailed medical report.
Lastly, you will receive a urinalysis and other testing to make sure your blood sugar, glucose, protein, specific gravity, and such all look great, your blood is healthy, and so on. If you have a specific condition that requires additional testing, this will likely also be the time for that as well.
Get Your Fresh DOT Physical At AS Medical Group Madison Heights Urgent Care
Because a DOT physical must be performed by a qualified, board-certified doctor, but you don’t have any time to waste, the most convenient thing to do is get your DOT physical at AS Medical Group Madison Heights Urgent Care. In fact, you don’t even need an appointment. Just come in, and let us know you’re here. We accept all forms of insurance, and have several Arabic and Chinese/Mandarin speaking practitioners on site to help you feel right at home if English is not your first language. We simply hope to provide you and your family with the best possible care!
Are you looking for a DOT physical exam in Madison Heights MI? Walk-Ins Welcome – No Appointment Needed! Call AS Medical Group Madison Heights Urgent Care at (248) 307-7796. We are located at 32600 John R Rd. Madison Heights, MI 48071. We hope to see you soon!