At Sugarloaf Urgent Care in Lawrenceville, GA we make DOT physicals and testing easy for everyone involved. For more than a decade, our team has been providing fast, comfortable, and cost-effective testing services for individuals who need to maintain their commercial driver’s license. Conducted by approved medical examiners, our comprehensive services are designed to meet the strict FMCSA and DOT standards required for driver and employer compliance. Start by scheduling an appointment, where we will check for conditions such as high blood pressure, impaired vision, compromised hearing, and more. Upon passing, drivers will receive a DOT medical certificate allowing them to maintain their commercial license. Our team will also supply both employee and employer with the test results. It’s that simple.

What is a DOT Physical Exam?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam is a required test for anyone who is hoping to become a professional commercial driver or CMV. This test ensures that all drivers are physically able to endure the stress and long hours associated with operating a vehicle commercially. Thankfully, you can get your DOT physical at our urgent care facilities. 

Who Might Need a DOT Physical?

If you aren’t sure you will need the DOT physical Sugarloaf, consider the following factors that could indicate you are going to be required to have such an exam:

• You are paid to drive a vehicle that is manufactured to transport more than eight people.
• You are driving a vehicle that can carry over 15 people. 
• You are going to drive a vehicle on the interstate that weighs in with a gross combination weight, vehicle weight rating, or gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. 

The DOT Physical Exam

Your DOT exam will begin with a detailed look at your medical history. This will include the doctor or nurse asking you various questions similar to the following:

• Are you taking any medications, either over-the-counter or prescription? If so, what are they?
• Have you ever had surgery, if so when, and what?
• Have you ever failed a drug test?
• Do you have any health problems currently or have experienced any in the past?
• Do you consume alcohol or use tobacco or illegal substances?
• Do you have any current health symptoms that are bothersome?
• Have you ever been addicted to or dependent on an illegal substance?

Next Steps

After you have answered the questions about your medical history and your current medications, your healthcare provider will move on to other areas of the exam. There is no set order of these steps, as each provider will likely vary based on personal preference. However, all DOT exams will include examining all the areas that are mentioned below:

Vision Test 

For the vision test, your healthcare provider is looking for at least 20/40 vision in both eyes. If you don’t have great vision, this doesn’t count you out, you just have to bring along your glasses if you have a prescription. Also, your provider will ensure that you can tell the difference between colors, without your glasses. Vision is key in determining your ability to operate a commercial vehicle. You need to be able to see well and differentiate colors in order to operate on the roadways safely. 

Urinalysis Test

Another part of the DOT physical will include a urinalysis test. This information will let your provider know if you have any irregularities or medical conditions that need to be addressed. It will check sugar levels as well as proteins and blood. Any significant health issue could make it difficult or impossible for you to operate a commercial vehicle cautiously.

Hearing Test 

This portion of the DOT test will look at your ability to hear, with or without hearing aids. It makes sense that this would be part of such a test, and you need to be able to hear horns and other indicators. From five feet away, you should be able to hear a whisper. This, and other factors, mean you can hear well enough to safely operate a commercial vehicle. 

Pulse Rate/Blood Pressure

As part of your DOT physical testing, your provider will also check your blood pressure and pulse rate. This will ensure that you are able to physically sit for long periods of time without an issue. It will also alert your provider to any abnormalities that could be present and indicate the presence of a medical condition. 

Physical Examination

The next step of your DOT physical exam consists of a good look at you physically, testing a variety of areas. The following is a breakdown of what is often checked:

• General Appearance: This will consist of your provider giving you a good once over, looking at your weight, seeing if you have tremors, and/or looking for signs of alcohol or drug problems. 

• Organs and Abdomen: Your physical exam will also consist of a good look at your organs and abdomen. This part of the exam will check for the presence of hernias, look for unusual masses and check for weakness in these areas. 

• Limbs: This will look at your limbs and determine if there are weaknesses, damage, or loss of any function.

• Mouth and Throat: This will examine your ability to swallow and breathe normally.

• Neurological: Your speech, reflexes, and balance will all be checked as a way to ensure you are physically fit enough to operate a commercial vehicle.

• Skeletal: Tenderness and limitations will be checked during this part of the exam. You need to have a full range of motion in order to turn your head and see all parts of the road. 

• Vascular System: This part of the exam will look for varicose veins, blood flow, and check for the strength of your pulse to ensure the blood is moving through your system as it should be.  

Vaccinations

Another aspect of a DOT physical exam could include getting any needed vaccinations. Your provider can administer common vaccinations like the following during your DOT exam visit if they are needed:

• Influenza (Flu)
• Tetanus/Typhoid/Polio
• Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• Hepatitis A (Hep A)

How Long is Your DOT Physical Good For?

Once you pass your DOT exam and are certified to operate a commercial vehicle, your passed DOT physical exam is valid for up to 24 months. However, in some cases, your provider might issue you a certificate instead of the DOT physical exam. It would certify you for less than the standard 24 months. This can be a solution if you have certain conditions that need to be monitored, such as high blood pressure. 

What You Need to Bring With You

When visiting our facility for your DOT physical Lawrenceville, bring any documents from doctors or lists of medications that have been given to you in the past month. Also, if you have been cleared to work with a medical disability, bring along the release form from the doctor that gave you this clearance. 

Quick Stop

Getting your DOT physical exam at our urgent care facility is a quick stop. You won’t have to waste an entire day getting the clearance you need to do your job.