It’s best to come prepared to DOT physical appointments

If you drive a commercial vehicle for a living, your livelihood depends on maintaining good health and passing a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical. A DOT physical is a medical exam that ensures commercial drivers are physically fit to operate large vehicles. To get or keep a commercial driver’s license in Wyoming, commercial drivers must pass a DOT physical. The physical includes vision and hearing tests, blood pressure checks and a complete review of the driver’s medical history. 

“The primary objective of FMCSA is to reduce accidents, injuries and deaths,” Dr. Mathew Beeton, a certified examiner at North Big Horn Hospital said, “We often refer to big problems as ‘train wrecks,’ but a truck wreck can be pretty bad, too. It’s a public safety issue. That’s why these physicals are so important.”

Beeton said, though it’s commonly referred to as “DOT physical,” it’s a safety measure under the purview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Operators of commercial motor vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds or of vehicles that carry more than 15 people, like school buses, or vehicles that routinely carry more than eight people at a time, like van services, are required to periodically pass the physical, available through many local hospitals and clinics. 

At North Big Horn Hospital, Beeton has been conducting the physicals for about six months. Michael Asay, PA-C is also certified to conduct the exams. Beeton is taking over the responsibility from Ken Ferbrache, PA-C, who is also certified and has conducted the exams for years. As a certified medical examiner, Beeton reviews a driver’s health history, checks vital signs, examines general appearance and tests vision and other health-related criteria. He said the rubric used in the evaluation is very precise and evaluators don’t have a lot of freedom beyond a set of very strict parameters set for evaluators.

“They give us a form we have to complete and there are very specific criteria on the form,” he said. “It involves vision, hearing, an overall review of health history, basically it’s a head to toe exam. Some companies require their drivers to get the exam whether it’s required for the type of driving they do or not. Some companies expect their drivers to meet additional standards, as well. That is at the discretion of the company.”

Beeton recommends drivers prepare for the physical, especially if they know they have conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or certain cardiac conditions, since many of these health issues can disqualify a driver if not kept in check. Conditions that can disqualify a driver include high blood pressure, uncontrolled epilepsy, diabetes or heart disease. Poor eyesight or hearing can also disqualify a driver. Alcoholism or use of certain drugs like amphetamines can also disqualify a driver.

One way drivers can prepare for the exam, is by getting regular physical exams with their provider to keep conditions that can be controlled under control. Certified examiners are not allowed to treat applicants; they can only pass or fail an applicant. 

Drivers who pass the DOT physical, generally receive a medical examiner’s certificate that’s usually valid for one or two years, depending on the health of the driver. Beeton said that time period can be made shorter by FMCSA if certain medical conditions persist.

“I’d like to help people come to the physical a little bit more prepared, because this is their livelihood and also, as a doctor, I just care about people’s health in general. I’ve had a lot of people come in for the physical not prepared. Their blood pressure is high or they haven’t had their diabetes checked in a long time. This is the kind of situation that can keep them from passing the exam. Though I want these people to pass, I have some very strict rules I have to follow to pass them.”

Beeton suggests not waiting until the last minute for the exam. He noted that it is important to allow some leeway to treat medical conditions in advance of the appointment, if necessary.

“You can still pass and have some medical problems, if, they are being treated,” he said. “In some cases you will need a medical exemption form filled out by another doctor (like your regular provider or a specialist). If you come in two weeks before your license lapses, you’re not giving yourself enough time to get the problem under control to pass the test in time.”