If you work in a position that’s considered “safety-sensitive,” you may need to undergo regular DOT physicals to be cleared to work. DOT(Department of Transportation) physicals must be conducted by a medical professional who is certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These are commonly done for truck drivers, bus drivers, heavy machine operators, and many more occupations. Here at TLC Medical, our trained staff can perform DOT physicals and verify that you’re in good health to work.

What Are DOT Physicals?

DOT stands for the Department of Transportation. Employees of the DOT with jobs that are deemed “safety-sensitive,” meaning that the job may affect the safety of themselves and members of the public, are required to undergo a specific physical exam. DOT physicals evaluate the health of safety-sensitive employees like commercial drivers to ensure that they’re physically able to carry out their jobs safely.

DOT Guidelines

Strict guidelines for DOT physicals are provided by the FMCSA. These guidelines are designed to protect the safety of DOT workers and the public by thoroughly evaluating safety-sensitive workers’ health and physical ability.

Unfortunately, these guidelines can also seem demanding for workers who need to undergo DOT physicals. Our physicians at TLC Medical have the experience to ensure that your DOT physical goes smoothly. We’ll make sure that you bring all of the required materials ahead of time, including:

• A complete list of all medications, including the names/addresses of the prescribing doctors and doses
• For workers with vision problems, glasses or contacts 
• For workers with hearing problems, hearing aids 
• For workers with heart problems, a letter from the cardiologist clearing them to work and providing medical history/prescription information
• For workers with diabetes, the latest lab results from their HgA1C and blood sugar logs

This isn’t a complete list of materials for workers with other medical conditions. Our staff can inform you of the exact materials to bring for your DOT physical.

The Components of a DOT Physical

DOT physicals cover many aspects of your health, including:

• Physical health
  • The medical examiner will evaluate the entire body for problems and abnormalities. 
• Vision
  • Commercial drivers must have a minimum of 20/40 acuity in both eyes. This may be achieved with or without glasses or contacts. Additionally, drivers must have at least a 70-inch peripheral in the horizontal meridian in both eyes. 
• Hearing
  • Drivers must be able to identify a “forced whisper” within five feet or less. This may be achieved with or without a hearing aid. 
• Blood pressure and pulse
  • In a DOA physical, the examiner will check for an irregular pulse and high blood pressure.
• Urinalysis 
  • Urinalysis checks for signs of medical complications like diabetes. 

If you’re a safety-sensitive employee of the DOT, contact TLC Medical today to complete your DOT physical with one of our certified physicians.