Med Card Dilemmas

Got job offer at Performance Foodservice/Reinhart Foods. Entry level as I just got my CDL A. Now they are requiring me to get a med card through PFG group itself as they have a DOT team and such, dont ask me why. So PFG contracts with HireRight which contracts through MEExpress a DOT clinic. Went to ME Express multiple times all this week and just road block after road block. First off BP was slightly high. Normal BP is 140/90 I was 156/94 not alarming but it took literally five different associates to check and recheck BP. I failed to tell them that I consumed two Red Bulls prior so that’s why BP was spiking. Was then told to go to my primary doctor get BP recheck and have doctor sign a letter. So did that, BP was 124/78, normal range. Went back to ME Express, was told first DOT exam was voided. Huh?? So then they said I needed a full audiology report from my audiologist because I wear two hearing aids. I have a valid waiver on a med card that was issued on 8/30/23 to go to trucking school, but ME Express says need audiologist reports also to supplement this waiver. Then another DOT physical has to be done. Wow!!

"I failed to tell them that I consumed two Red Bulls prior so that’s why BP was spiking."

LOL What did you think was going to happen? And telling them that, as if it were a prescription medication, won't make a difference. The upper limit for DOT BP is 140. Above that, you may not get a 1 year medical card. And since you are in the hiring stage, the 90 day one (allows you to get it fixed and still have a job), might not be a green light either. Explain your situation to your regular physician and get your BP meds going. (I have had mine for years, and there are no noticeable side effects.)

My medical hearing check included the question "Do you wear hearing aids?" (Yes) and a snap of the fingers behind each ear. I have the hearing aid restriction on my license, and that is about as troublesome as the eyeglass one.

Now, your hiring company may have a stricter standard for their own purposes, which may be what you're running into here. So can you get past the medical exam?

I would do whatever they need you to do, whether it’s a pain or not. Very good company and normally requires a minimum of one year of experience.

Also understand that almost every company will send you to their own doctor for a new physical. Most are urgent care clinics for driver convenience. And anytime you fail a physical, yes the old one is voided, you are no longer legal to drive. Everytime you get a new diagnosis or have surgery... you will need a new one.

It is quite possible to have several physicals a year.

Your shock of "dont ask me why i need a new card" and "huh? My old card is voided" is indicative of your inexperience. Trucking invloves lots of drug tests and phsyicals.