Driving commercial vehicles is of great importance. Drivers must be sensitive when driving vehicles. The Department of Transportation (DOT) often presents special units to discover that your driver is sensitive to safety measures for his personal and public life. You must take the initiative at the right time so that your drivers can demonstrate their efficiency behind the wheel. The DOT physical test is a similar unit that checks whether drivers are perfect for carrying out their responsibilities as a driver. The test is performed by registered physicians. The test is conducted strictly in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines. It ensures that CDL drivers and other safety-sensitive employees are in perfect health both mentally and physically.
The entire DOT Physicals procedure is carried out with the mutual cooperation of physicians, drivers, and other employees, including employers. However, both employees and drivers must play their role well. They need to produce the following documents:
• Shows if they use them
• List of medications they are taking at the time of DOT physical exams. They should also mention their dosage.
• Hearing aids if you need them while driving the vehicles.
• The annual control report that is prepared by a professional specialist must be produced at the time of the test.
Things to expect from DOT physical tests:
The specialists who administer DOT physical tests are very sensitive to maintaining the standards required by the FMCSA. As an employee or employer, you can expect the following:
• The physician will examine and review the medical records of the drivers / employees.
• Record various physical conditions including pulse rate, blood pressure, weight and height of the employees who attended the test.
• Checking the power of the eyes using the eye chart.
• Check other physical standards, including limb flexibility, breathing capacity, and range of motion.
• You must perform blood and urine tests for addiction to marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine, and amphetamines.
Responsibilities of Physicians / Specialists Administering DOT Physical Exams:
Doctors for DOT physical exams are generally appointed by the FMCSA. The appointment is based on the qualifications and experience of the physicians. Specialists must carry out their responsibilities to the best of their ability so that they can find the best drivers who are safe for themselves and the people around them while driving. Here are some of the responsibilities they must carry out:
• Preparation of reports to the best of their ability.
• Keep records for future use
• Providing appropriate advice to drivers and other people undergoing the test.
• While examining drivers and others, they should remember and follow the FMCSA guidelines.
The importance of DOT physicals is serious and that is why everyone who cares about the same should play their part well so that everyone can have complete peace of mind. The success of this initiative can provide road safety for everyone.