Flatbed Physical

So my recruiter said I have to do the standard DOT physical and I have to get another one done in order to drive flatbed. What is it? What does in involve?

If it's like most, it's an agility test. They want to make sure that in addition to being relatively healthy, you can safely move around the trailer and the load, manipulating the tarps and securement devices properly without hurting yourself.

If it's like most, it's an agility test. They want to make sure that in addition to being relatively healthy, you can safely move around the trailer and the load, manipulating the tarps and securement devices properly without hurting yourself.

Ive hear that standing on one leg for 1min and picking up the trap (I was told can weigh up to 150lbs) and placing it on the trailer.

If it's like most, it's an agility test. They want to make sure that in addition to being relatively healthy, you can safely move around the trailer and the load, manipulating the tarps and securement devices properly without hurting yourself.

Ive hear that standing on one leg for 1min and picking up the trap (I was told can weigh up to 150lbs) and placing it on the trailer.

Some of the flatbed guys here can chime in on the weight of the tarps but I don't think they're that heavy. Plus, using the proper technique, moving them about isn't that big of a deal.

The Melton agility test (when I took it) was standing on the right foot for a minute and the left foot for a minute. Then we went to the rear of a nearby trailer where three tarps were on the ground. We were to pick them up and place them on the back of the trailer. I believe they were checking for two things. Strength and technique. Keep your back straight and use your legs. Putting them back on the ground was easy. I just dropped mine! The tarps were three different weights. I think they ranged from 60-100 pounds.

The Melton agility test (when I took it) was standing on the right foot for a minute and the left foot for a minute. Then we went to the rear of a nearby trailer where three tarps were on the ground. We were to pick them up and place them on the back of the trailer. I believe they were checking for two things. Strength and technique. Keep your back straight and use your legs. Putting them back on the ground was easy. I just dropped mine! The tarps were three different weights. I think they ranged from 60-100 pounds.

Oh ok. So the cdl skills test is that done with a flatbed if that's what you've been training in?(Training at prime)

Oh ok. So the cdl skills test is that done with a flatbed if that's what you've been training in?(Training at prime)

Now the CDL skills test will vary from company to company. At Melton (when I went through), the skills test was a guy from Safety taking the candidates out in a truck for a test drive. To me it wasn't much of a drive. It *did* have a load on the trailer which was something new to me. In my school, all the trailers that we pulled were empty. Now don't get me wrong. The driving test wan't just a rubber stamp or a check mark. There were some that failed and were sent home. The way I see it, if you do what you were taught, you should be just fine.

Oh ok. So the cdl skills test is that done with a flatbed if that's what you've been training in?(Training at prime)

Now the CDL skills test will vary from company to company. At Melton (when I went through), the skills test was a guy from Safety taking the candidates out in a truck for a test drive. To me it wasn't much of a drive. It *did* have a load on the trailer which was something new to me. In my school, all the trailers that we pulled were empty. Now don't get me wrong. The driving test wan't just a rubber stamp or a check mark. There were some that failed and were sent home. The way I see it, if you do what you were taught, you should be just fine.

Thanks Wilson for the advice. I can't wait to start training!! Even tho I was told by some that to start driving flatbed as a new drive is crazy? But I love a challenge as well as learning new things. I also heard driving flatbed will keep me in shape.