DOT Physical Requirements For Women

When it comes to the physical do women have to meet the same requirements as men in every part of it? I have a DOT physical question up in the Ladies Forum. One lady said she didn't have to lift weights but another lady said she did. She said she had to push about 125 pounds across a room and back. Seems like a lot of weight to expect females to have to do. I just want to drive truck not load/unload product. I know i can't do as much weight now vs when I was younger. Who pays for this test anyway me or the company I'm applying to?

I went through Swift's Academy in Phoenix last April. There were NO tests or exercises of a physical nature whatsoever. You just need to be able to get in and out of the Tractor/ Trailer in a safe manner. Some Companies do have some lifting, pushing, pulling requirements. The best thing to do is ask the recruiters. Good Luck!

There's a difference between DOT Physical Requirements - and COMPANY AGILITY/STRENGTH requirements.

Much of the time - the testing is done simultaneously at the same location (even though it's not supposed to be).

Physical agility/strength vary from company to company. Most are about the ability to perform an inspection and get in/out of the trailer/cab. Flatbedders will have to demonstrate a little more strength and agility for throwing tarps/chains and climbing on loads.

While everyone would love to be 100% no touch freight (myself included) - there might be that rare occasion where you have to re-stack a pallet, or drag a pallet jack and move stuff off your truck. Some people go their entire career without having to step inside a trailer - some get stuck doing it once a week - some (the dedicated Dollar Store for example) are self hand unloads. Companies that do these kinds of stores may test all applicants the same - since no one knows where they're going to end up at orientation typically.

Every companies requirements are a little different. If you have a particular one you're looking at, speak up and one of our members might be able to help you out.

Rick

There's a difference between DOT Physical Requirements - and COMPANY AGILITY/STRENGTH requirements.

Much of the time - the testing is done simultaneously at the same location (even though it's not supposed to be).

Physical agility/strength vary from company to company. Most are about the ability to perform an inspection and get in/out of the trailer/cab. Flatbedders will have to demonstrate a little more strength and agility for throwing tarps/chains and climbing on loads.

While everyone would love to be 100% no touch freight (myself included) - there might be that rare occasion where you have to re-stack a pallet, or drag a pallet jack and move stuff off your truck. Some people go their entire career without having to step inside a trailer - some get stuck doing it once a week - some (the dedicated Dollar Store for example) are self hand unloads. Companies that do these kinds of stores may test all applicants the same - since no one knows where they're going to end up at orientation typically.

Every companies requirements are a little different. If you have a particular one you're looking at, speak up and one of our members might be able to help you out.

Rick

I have yet to make final decision but top 3 contenders are Knight, Swift and CRST. I have ruled out flatbeds. I won't be able to do 100 pound tarps so pushing something 125 pounds across room.. I think not. Please note: the school I attend must be company sponsored not able to do anything else financially.

Janet, from your list of your three top choices I would recommend that you focus on going with Swift. Here's the reason behind my thinking: CRST is going to be a forced team situation, and that just has a lot of unwanted problems that come with it. There are people who think they would love having someone along with them, and then they quickly discover how terrible it can be to have to sleep in a constantly moving truck while the other person is listening to their favorite tunes, or their team partner turns out to be a slob, or... well the problems associated with teaming as a newbie with a total stranger are endless, and can make your transition into this new lifestyle absolutely unbearable.

Knight has a very rigorous physical that all their drivers go through. It includes a good bit of weight lifting, stepping up and down steps, squats, etc. All of these various exercises are then immediately followed by monitored heart rate measurements. I am a flat-bed driver for Knight, but all of their drivers be they van, reefer , or pulling containers from the ports all went through the same very demanding physical that the flat-bed drivers went through. Also their Squire training program is extremely limited to a very few locations. I think you need to be in Arizona, and maybe one other location to qualify for their Company-Sponsored Training Program.

Those are the reasons why I would choose against those two options if I were in your shoes. On the other hand, Swift will put you into their company sponsored program from just about anywhere in the country, and their physical is much less demanding than the one at Knight. Best of luck to you, and don't let those crazy internet reviews about Swift deter you. It is a great place to start your career, and also a great place to continue with for many long years to come.

Janet...of the three carriers on your short list, please be aware that CRST is 100% team operation. Not that it's a bad thing,...just a data point.

I looked at your previous posts and noticed that you haven't been formally introduced to the now famous Trucking Truth Starter kit:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

All three pieces will provide valuable information to help set realistic expectations and assist in building a knowledge base enabling you to more easily pass the CDL Permit exams and progress through school with less stress and questions.

Of the three companies on your short list; I know the most about SWIFT. I initially attended and graduated from their Richmond Academy and subsequently road-trained for 240 hours with a SWIFT Mentor/Trainer. Over four years later, I still drive for SWIFT on their Walmart Dedicated account. Errol, Jim J, TractorMan, GladHand and Paul all drive for SWIFT.

For Knight Transportation I'll refer you to OldSchool. To help you find specific information about these companies you can use the search bar in the upper left, top of page and also reference this link: Trucking Company Reviews

Good luck!

Janet, from your list of your three top choices I would recommend that you focus on going with Swift. Here's the reason behind my thinking: CRST is going to be a forced team situation, and that just has a lot of unwanted problems that come with it. There are people who think they would love having someone along with them, and then they quickly discover how terrible it can be to have to sleep in a constantly moving truck while the other person is listening to their favorite tunes, or their team partner turns out to be a slob, or... well the problems associated with teaming as a newbie with a total stranger are endless, and can make your transition into this new lifestyle absolutely unbearable.

Knight has a very rigorous physical that all their drivers go through. It includes a good bit of weight lifting, stepping up and down steps, squats, etc. All of these various exercises are then immediately followed by monitored heart rate measurements. I am a flat-bed driver for Knight, but all of their drivers be they van, reefer , or pulling containers from the ports all went through the same very demanding physical that the flat-bed drivers went through. Also their Squire training program is extremely limited to a very few locations. I think you need to be in Arizona, and maybe one other location to qualify for their Company-Sponsored Training Program.

Those are the reasons why I would choose against those two options if I were in your shoes. On the other hand, Swift will put you into their company sponsored program from just about anywhere in the country, and their physical is much less demanding than the one at Knight. Best of luck to you, and don't let those crazy internet reviews about Swift deter you. It is a great place to start your career, and also a great place to continue with for many long years to come.

Thanks so much that helps out a lot. I was eye balling Swift b/c the training can be free after driving w/them 2 yrs. I also like that they'll hire you after training which eliminates job searching. I will concentrate on Swift per your suggestion. Right now I first need an eye exam and am studying the CDL info on this site.

I was the lady who had to push the weights across the floor. It was in a DOT physical for school so I could get my permit. I also had to carry about 50 lbs.in a crate across the room. The weight was the same for both men and women, because, well, I am trying to be a truck driver :-).

I have not yet had to take a company physical. Or agility test.

The weight portion really wasn't that hard. I did have to put in some effort for the crate, but pushing the weight across the room was a breeze.

The DOT physical was required before I could get a permit in my state. They went ahead and also did a drug screen for school at the same place.

It really wasn't that big a deal and a lot of companies have agility tests, so it may behoove you to just make sure you can lift 50 lbs and scoot something heavy across the floor. It won't hurt any to be prepared!

Good luck!

To reitertate.

When I walk in for my DOT Physical (not at a COMPANY - at my clinic) - I stand on one foot (shows balance), touch my toes. Doc has me push his hands up/down/in/out - and checks my grip.

There is NOTHING in the DOT requirements - that says anything about weight lifting, pushing or carrying weights, or anything of that nature.

DOT Physicals are 100% related to being able to drive a truck. Not loading/unloading or athletic ability.

Everything else is a COMPANY PHYSICAL - which can make you do the log walk, flaming hoops, clean and jerk - nd some of the other weirdness we see around here.

You may WELL BE ABLE TO PASS A DOT PHYSICAL - and yet FAIL A COMPANY ONE.

Try as I might - I can't "duck walk" without touching with my hands, or putting a knee down. But I can get under any trailer to do a pre-trip. But some companies require you to duck-walk.

Folks just need to understand the difference between DOT & COMPANY.

And again - since both are usually done at the SAME TIME - there would be no reason to NOT ISSUE A DOT MED if you pass that - and still FAIL YOU on the company-agility-side and not get a hire because of that.

Members here can relate what each particular company requires.

I've heard Prime requires a 100lb weight for their flatbed and wants everyone to lift it - even if they aren't going FB.

I can GUAREN-DAMN-TEE you that I will NEVER GO FLATBED (EVER - and that's not to say there's anything wrong with it - just that I know my physical limitations and have no desire to challenge them). And I probably wouldn't do the 100lbs lift - because my hernia surgeon tells me I shouldn't.

You need to be able to yank a kingpin lock, a tandem slide lock - and sometimes these can be pretty stubborn. For us lazy folks, there are "mechanical helpers" that take a lot of the strain out of it.

Some of these olympic style tryouts, just have me wondering what the heck they expect of you - if all you plan on doing, is dragging a reefer/dry behind you. Neither do I care about the $25 I can get by unloading/assisting - here's a comcheck - where are your lumpers?

Rick

Janet actually reads the info!

Thanks so much that helps out a lot. I was eye balling Swift b/c the training can be free after driving w/them 2 yrs. I also like that they'll hire you after training which eliminates job searching.

A lot of people skip over/miss this part. Thanks, Janet, for pointing the out. If you can stick with them, Swift is the only company I know of that will pay you back your entire tuition. And don't think this is "slavery" because for those two years you are making decent money as well.

The thing about training -> getting hired works for any Company-Sponsored Training Program. A lot of the pre-hire work is done before you are admitted to the school. And having a job already arranged means you can focus on getting the school done.