Another Concern About Passing The DOT Physical

I read that it would be a requirement of the job to be able to "duck walk" under the trailer to pass the physical. This has me worried. I am 6'7" and I don't think I can squat low enough that way to get under the trailer. Why couldn't a tall person just be allowed to crawl under?

I never heard that about passing the physical. Doctors rarely have trailers in their office to test you on

The company can put you through physical tests, but that wouldn't be part of your DOT physical. So you could still get your medical card but fail a company's physical requirements and not land a job there unfortunately.

I don't think you have anything to be concerned about. But crawling won't be your best option when you're picking up a trailer that's parked in 4 inches of messy mud

Yeah, I agree with Brett...and I have never heard of that particular physical test. But if I were as tall as you, I'd be lookin' for the longest bunk they put in a truck. TSB is 6' 4", and we went to buying Western Stars, since they have a really nice, very long bunk in them....

Yeah, I agree with Brett...and I have never heard of that particular physical test. But if I were as tall as you, I'd be lookin' for the longest bunk they put in a truck. TSB is 6' 4", and we went to buying Western Stars, since they have a really nice, very long bunk in them....

Fortunately, I sleep curled up on my side, mostly. If the bunk is at least six feet long, I should be okay. If not, I will have to adapt.

As a person who took his DOT physical not too long ago I can assure you, that exercise is not part of the test. Nothing in the test has you crawling like a duck. And I highly doubt a company would make you take a physical to ensure you can crawl under the trailer. It's a huge safety risk, you could bump into the trailer and crack your skull or cause other serious injuries. I'm pretty sure the company would prefer you take an extra three seconds and walk around the trailer. I always crawl under the trailer but I'm 5'7" and I'm like a monkey I can sprint down there. Haha. But in all seriousness I would get that out of my mind and not worry about it.

As a person who took his DOT physical not too long ago I can assure you, that exercise is not part of the test. Nothing in the test has you crawling like a duck. And I highly doubt a company would make you take a physical to ensure you can crawl under the trailer. It's a huge safety risk, you could bump into the trailer and crack your skull or cause other serious injuries. I'm pretty sure the company would prefer you take an extra three seconds and walk around the trailer. I always crawl under the trailer but I'm 5'7" and I'm like a monkey I can sprint down there. Haha. But in all seriousness I would get that out of my mind and not worry about it.

I don't remember where I read that. The writer was speaking about this happening at orientation, and it was part of the driver agility test. I would hate to go through CDL school, spend a bunch of money, learn how to drive a truck, then get sent home during orientation because I can't duck walk under a trailer. Anyway, thanks. I won't worry about that.

So you read that. Online? Figures.

Go to a truck stop and look around. More than half of the drivers can't touch their toes because of their weight. And 95% of them can't bend down far enough to even attempt to duck under a trailer. Then you'll realize that it's false. Unless he goes to some special company that does a lot of physical labor like loading and unloading and lifting then maybe they'll host an agility physical. But you won't need to.

At CRST, during orientation, they took us out one day, and we had to climb into the cab, using the hand holds, go under the trailer behind the fifth wheel, to show we could inspect it, and then climb in the trailer. Plus we had to open the hood of the truck. Thats it. I am 6' 1" and I go under th trailer all the time to check the coupling. It is not a big deal, and no one is judging you on esthetics of a "duck walk". Just that you can get under there to check the hook up. Dont sweat it too much.

Bein' short and fluffy DOES has its advantages !!!!

Hey Tim, I might be able to help you out with this. I had to take a physical with prime and when I had to see the doctor he made us squat and take about 4 steps forward, walk like a duck I'm 6'3" 235lbs and had no problem doing this. There was no test around a truck or anything. Our physical was done in 2 steps. When you fill out your paperwork you see the nurses where you take the drug test, then they test your eyesight by reading the eye board, right eye, left eye, both eyes. Then they tell tell you to distinguish colors on a board. They test your hearing by telling you to turn your head and they whisper words like January, November, and you have to repeat what they say. Then they hold two.small poles in their hands and have you pull on them. After that they have you bend over and pick up a tote of weights with about 50-60lbs in it. Then they check your blood pressure. After that we had to return to a different office later that day to see the official doctor. When he came in you had to have your shoes, socks and shirt off. He checks your eyes, ears, listens to your breathing with the stethoscope. He hits your knee to test your reflexes He holds out his hands and tell you to press down on them. Then squat and walk like a duck. After that it's the good Ole hernia check where you drop your drawers, he cuffs your boys and you cough. After that is over he'll tell you whether your qualified or not depending on your medical history. Usually 2 years if your fit for duty, maybe less if you have any blood pressure or health issues, or maybe not at all depending on if your on disqualifying medicines or you need to be cleared of something first. I hope this helps.