DOT Physical Gone Wrong...
Topic 11613 | Page 3
The blood clot issue has been documented as resolved, yes. I'll go for another sleep study. It will NOT allow me to start classes on December 26. By the time they order it, that I go for the appointment, that the medical equipment person makes the appointment to come at my house to set me up, then I believe they have to monitor me for 30 days on it, go back to the doctor office to get my medical card.....yeah....its not happening for me, again. Merry Christmas to me. :(
Does the private trucking school require a medical card before you start? Since you'll more than likely have to get another physical done by whatever company hires you, maybe you can wait. Or, do they perform their own physical? I would ask them if you don't know for sure before spending the money on a sleep study.
Any trucking school that allows/requires that you operate a CMV on public highways, is subject to pretty much the same regs for drivers as trucking companies.
While rules seem to vary from state to state - you definitely need one for a full CDL-A. And even if you're not driving a CMV - you need to keep the issuing state current on your med card, or they will AUTOMATICALLY DOWNGRADE IT to a regular Class E Drivers license.
Most DOT Medical Examiners are a lot more careful now about "rubber stamping" applicants - because of the potential liability of a medical certification they issue, coming back to haunt them down the road.
I believe that passes & failures of exams are entered into a FMCSA Database - though it's probably not completely implemented yet.
Anything that is potentially going to "trip you up" for a Med Card to get into school - is likely to trip you up again, when you get a company physical to hire on (at which point, the medical examiner at the company physical usually issues a new DOT Med Card).
I ended up with a 1 year card a few years ago - because of blood pressure. I got my weight back down, got off the meds - and scored a regular two year card last year.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.New Reply:
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DOT Physical Health Concerns Medical Certification Sleep Apnea Understanding The Laws
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In MA, you are required to get your DOT physical before you actually go take the test for your permit. :(
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.