Is it time to put your driving skills to the test in a new career as a commercial driver? Maybe you decided to drive trucks or buses or take people on party bus tours. When you wish to convert over to this career or remain in compliance, you need a DOT physical. A visit to Owens Chiropractic in San Diego, CA, makes the process simple. Dr. Lynn Owens is an experienced chiropractor who always conducts a thorough exam to see whether you are qualified to drive safely for the public.
What Does This Physical Involve?
When it's time to get a DOT exam, be prepared to have a comprehensive examination from Dr. Owens. She will check your blood pressure, vision, and hearing. A urinalysis will be taken to test you for drugs. You'll also do a consultation where you'll discuss your overall medical history. If you have any lingering problems, you should disclose them to your examiner. You'll be checked for heart condition, reflexes, respiratory health, and possible sleep issues. If you're currently being treated for other conditions by your main practitioner, bring that documentation with you. Show Dr. Owens your medication to treat heart problems, sleep apnea, asthma, or anything that might be detrimental to your driving before the physical starts.
Who Needs It?
Anyone who operates a commercial vehicle must get one of these comprehensive exams. After all, when you drive such a vehicle, you may be in charge of several people or loads of expensive or dangerous cargo. A commercial vehicle may transport more than 15 people, such as a bus or tour van. You may be transporting hazardous materials between states and the highway. You may be carrying freight deliveries that weigh 10,000 pounds or more. Passing a DOT physical is necessary to apply for or renew an existing commercial vehicle driver's license. Once your doctor signs off on your health clearance, approval will last up to 2 years. However, Dr. Owens in San Diego, CA, may look at your overall health and decide you should get more frequent checkups and return for another exam in a shorter time.
Get started or maintain your commercial driving career with your DOT physical in San Diego, CA, at Owens Chiropractic. Dr. Owens is a professional who knows how to work with all sorts of clients. Call Dr. Owens at 619-265-9336 to schedule your exam.
Who Needs a DOT Physical?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates a DOT physical for everyone applying for a commercial vehicle driver’s license. This includes people who operate:
- Vehicles that carry more than 15 people or more than eight people if the driver is paid
- Vehicles that transport hazardous material and have a placard
- Vehicles that have a gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more
What Does a DOT Physical Consist Of?
All DOT physicals must be completed by a medical examiner licensed by the FMCSA. In the first part of the physical, you will need to fill out a medical examination form with your detailed medical history. This form can also be filled before the appointment to save time.
For the medical checkup, your doctor will test:
- Hearing
- Vision
- Blood pressure
- Urinalysis (drug testing)
- External and internal health including, but not limited to: motor skills, lungs, neurological reflexes, heart conditions, sleep apnea, and limb impairments.
What to Bring to a DOT Physical
Before you come to your physical, bring a complete list of all medications with dosage amounts and the prescribing doctors’ names and addresses. If you’re a driver with medical issues, you’ll have to bring documentation from your physician. Below are a few examples:
Drivers With Vision or Hearing Problems:
- Bring contact lenses, glasses, or any device you normally use to see
- Hearing aids
Drivers With Heart Issues, Brain Tumors, or Previous History of Strokes:
- A detailed history of your health and a letter that designates you as safe to work from your cardiologist or neurologist.
- For heart issues, results from a recent stress test or cardiogram test
Drivers With Permanent Limb Loss:
- A Skilled Performance Examination (SPE)
- An overview from your doctor about any work restrictions of the injury