Jun 30, 2013

What To Expect When Have A DOT Physical

By Lawanda Burch


A Department of Transportation is normally charged with making the roads safer for travelers and truckers alike. One of the ways they do this is by making sure the drivers of the big trucks on the highway are healthy enough to perform their duties and will not become a hazard to those they are sharing the road with. A driver who wishes to either obtain or hold onto their commercial drivers license with have to pass a DOT physical. They will be checked to make sure their physical condition is good enough to be put in charge of vehicles that could cause a lot of damage if they are involved in an accident.

Having good eyesight is important when one is driving down the highway. People who cannot see well might not notice a problem up ahead and end up causing a collision. Bad eyesight will not stop anyone from getting a license provided they take corrective action like having laser surgery done or getting a pair of glasses.

One of the first things that will be checked on a driver is their blood pressure. High blood pressure can create problems for a driver. They could end up losing their license or be denied to get a license.

What will happen to a driver with high blood pressure depends on high the pressure reading is. Those who are slightly higher can get a conditional license that can last anywhere from three months to a year. Those with very high levels might have to stay off the road until they get their pressure back under control.

A person should expect to have their sugar levels checked. This is done to determine is one has developed a case of diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes has been known to cause people to become unconscious without much warning. People suffering from a bout of high sugar levels have also been known to become disoriented and not know what is happening around them. Both conditions can be hazardous when driving a vehicle.

Operators who are diabetic present some concerns for Department of Transportation officials. An operator who is controlling their condition through the use of oral medications or exercise can usually still work. However, a person who needs to inject insulin to control blood sugars will often have to retire and find another job.

Another area that gets scrutinized is the health of the cardiovascular system. Those who are suffering from cardiac problems may not be able to operate a large vehicle anymore. One should expect to pass a stress test to see how advance the heart disease is before they can be cleared to continue working in their current capacity in the transportation field.

The health of a driver is of great concern for agencies acting as caretakers for the highways. They will make an operator go through a DOT physical to check for certain conditions that could negatively affect a drivers ability to handle a tractor trailer. Failing the tests does not always mean that a driver cannot operate a vehicle anymore, but they will probably have to seek medical attention to correct any health concerns that are noticed during the examination.




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