DOT Physical Question

Topic 21458 | Page 1

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Curt S.'s Comment
member avatar

I have a question concerning the DOT physical exam. Do I have to already have my CDL before I get the exam? I am asking because 11 years ago, I was taken off of anti seizure medication and have been seizure free for twenty some years. The rule says off meds for 10 years so I want to take the physical before I invest any money on the training costs to get my CDL. Thanks for any information.

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.

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.

Deke's Comment
member avatar

You will need to get your dot physical before you can test for your cdl permit.

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.

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.

Pete B.'s Comment
member avatar

I was sent to get my DOT physical and drug screen on Day 2 of CDL school; the next day we took the written tests to obtain our CDL permit.

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.

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.

Deke's Comment
member avatar

I would recommend that you get your DOT physical and study for the permit test using the High Road Training materials here on TT. Once you are prepared, go take your permit test and get that before you go to CDL school. This way you can be reasonably sure that your financial investment for school will not be in vain....

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.

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.

Curt S.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks for clarifying this for me y’all. I appreciate it. Wish me luck, I’m going for my DOT physical this afternoon

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.

Pete B.'s Comment
member avatar

Good luck, Curt. Drink a fair amount of water between now and then, for the urinalysis test. Stay off the coffee and soda also, you don’t want the caffeine or sugar throwing off your blood pressure test.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Curt S.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks Pete and Deke, Pete, I'm way ahead of you on the water thanks. Good advice. I stopped drinking coffee this morning. I'll keep you guys posted after my exam.

Dave Reid's Comment
member avatar

Curt, please be aware that some companies have higher standards that the DOT. I would think that with the length of time you have been seizure free, you should be fine, but what I think does not matter...it is up to each company.

Even though you obtain a DOT card prior to school, be aware that many, likely most, companies will have you retake the physical with one of their examiners.

So...before you finalize plans to go to any particular company orientation, you might try asking them about your situation. Hopefully, they will check it out and give you an accurate answer. Regardless, I am sure that you can find a suitable company to take you, provided that you can indeed pass the DOT...many companies require just the DOT and their PT tests.

I have a question concerning the dot exam. Do I have to already have my CDL before I get the exam? I am asking because 11 years ago, I was taken off of anti seizure medication and have been seizure free for twenty some years. The rule says off meds for 10 years so I want to take the physical before I invest any money on the training costs to get my CDL. Thanks for any information.

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.

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.

Curt S.'s Comment
member avatar

Good News....I passed my DOT Physical. I do have to go back in 1 year because of seizure history, but I passed!. Dave....Thanks for the heads up. I will take your advice seriously and make sure I test the waters. Thanks for all of the encouragement Gentlemen. I appreciate it.

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.

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Outstanding!smile.gif

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