DOT Physical

What to do when you fail the DOT physical,stop attending the trucking school until you can take another one and pass it,then go back?How many times will the school and/or truck company pay for this physical?The the urgent care told me get my blood pressure and diabetes under control through a docter,come back and she would give me a three month certificate.Then my swift recruiter said she cant hire me unless I get a one year long form. Can I go back to the trucking school with a different company and go to see a different DOT doctor?I get a feeling this woman at urgent care does not like me and if I go back there I'll just get more of the same.Thanks for some advice,because I am trying to finish trucking school and this is the second school Ive been to because the first one I was forced to quit the school and take a job to avoid eviction.The instructor would not let me off early enough to do both work and school.

What to do when you fail the DOT physical,stop attending the trucking school until you can take another one and pass it,then go back?How many times will the school and/or truck company pay for this physical?The the urgent care told me get my blood pressure and diabetes under control through a docter,come back and she would give me a three month certificate.Then my swift recruiter said she cant hire me unless I get a one year long form. Can I go back to the trucking school with a different company and go to see a different DOT doctor?I get a feeling this woman at urgent care does not like me and if I go back there I'll just get more of the same.Thanks for some advice,because I am trying to finish trucking school and this is the second school Ive been to because the first one I was forced to quit the school and take a job to avoid eviction.The instructor would not let me off early enough to do both work and school.

If you FAIL a physical - then you are DISQUALIFIED from operating a CMV - which means - school or any other situation where you are operating a vehicle that requires a CDL.

Swift can't/won't hire someone on a 3 month med card. A 3 month card gives you time to get whatever health issues that would cause you to fail under control. But if it's NOT CONTROLLED when that 3 month card expires - you CAN NOT GET ANOTHER 3 MONTH CARD.

Trucking companies won't hire on a 3 month card - because once you get 3 months in, training and everything else - if you FAIL THE PHYSICAL AGAIN - you are UNEMPLOYABLE.

What sort of diabetes do you have? If it is INSULIN DEPENDENT - then you will need to get a WAIVER from FMCSA in order to qualify for a med card. How HIGH is your blood pressure? Have you already been taking medication for it? A lot of diabetes and blood pressure issues are DIRECTLY RELATED TO WEIGHT.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID MEDICAL CARD TO DRIVE. It's not about whether the medical examiner "has it in for you", or doesn't like you. If you DO NO QUALIFY, they cannot issue you a medical certificate.

Rick

Here's a link to a TT article on blood pressure: Lowering Your BP for the DOT physical.

Skipping the story, one day I had a BP of 130/80. Bottom of the range. The very next day, I was in a flustered state of mind, I had a 140/90, top of the range.

RT2812, I'm a little perplexed about the physician giving you a three month card after you get your blood pressure and diabetes under control. As long as those things are under control you should qualify for a one year card. I think you need to see a different D.O.T. certified physician.

But overall let's take a look at your situation - you've got some issues. Let's list them just for some clarity.

1) You've got high blood pressure.

2) You've got some form of diabetes.

3) You are broke - that's no condemnation brother, but it is something that is hindering you that you'll need to address.

Here's my advice. You probably won't like it but it is sound, and it will help you attain your goal of a new career as a professional driver. I give it because I suspect the path you're on is gonna be like hitting your head against a wall over and over. Does that sound familiar?

First off let's deal with the blood pressure. That one is not that difficult and can be dealt with fairly quickly. If you're not opposed to taking medication for it, you just make a visit to a Doc and they will prescribe something, monitor you for a few months to make sure it is working properly and then you are good to go. Here's some helpful information on the D.O.T. and blood pressure.

The next two issues take a little time to resolve. You don't want to be insulin dependent or else you are going to have to go through the hoops of getting a D.O.T. exemption. You will have to change your diet and monitor your blood sugar levels so that you can learn how best to keep it at a safe and compliant level. That will take time and effort on your part, but it will be well worth the effort. It is also something that will have to be a lifestyle change for you - it's not something you can do to just get past this point and then move on with your career because you will always be having to get re-certified each year for your medical card. Any person on blood pressure medications can only get a one year certification.

Now, as to being broke. I always recommend to folks who are trying to get into truck driving that they need to save up some money so they can take the time to get through school without being pressured and stressed form other sources. You already know how prudent that advice is, yet it sounds like you have tried two different schools with similar problems of you being able to move on into the workforce from school due to the issues that you are facing. My recommendation would be to hold off on this career move until you can get your health issues under control. While, you are doing that you need to formulate a plan to save up a thousand dollars in excess over and above any monies that you need to save to pay bills, if necessary, while in school. I think you are an ideal candidate for the Company-Sponsored Training Programs. That would ease your stress considerably because you would already be assured of a job on completion of your schooling, and as long as you have your health issues under control and apply yourself diligently at the training program you will be a shoe-in for a great start to your career. You can rely on that one thousand dollars you saved to cover any expenses you encounter during the initial part of the training which is basically for getting the permit, and then you could be getting paid as much as 700 bucks a week at some of those programs during the second phase of the training. After that you will be on your own in your own solo truck and have a chance to prove yourself and start making a real paycheck.

Okay, that's my plan for you. I don't know if you'll heed it or not, but it will give you a path to success if you take it.