The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an economic upheaval the likes of which our generation hasn’t seen. As with most crises, where one door closes, another opens, which is certainly true of the new jobs in the delivery sector.
As customers turn to online ordering and at-home deliveries of their supplies, companies like Amazon are hiring by the hundreds of thousands. To qualify for such a career change, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that you pass a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical every two years.
At Forest Urgent Care LIC in Forest Hills, New York, our team of health care providers includes medical examiners who can help you through the DOT physical process. Whether it’s your first time or you’re simply keeping up with the two-year requirement, here’s what you should know about a DOT physical exam.
Before you come see us for your DOT physical, there are a few things you should do in advance of your appointment. To start, please download and fill out the medical examination report form, which you can find here. The first part of this form is designed to capture important information about your current health, as well as your medical history.
Once you fill out part one, leave the rest blank, because that’s for us to fill in after we’ve performed your DOT physical.
Please note that if you have certain conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea, you’ll need to fill out extra forms, which you can find here. You should also bring along any supporting documents or records from previous doctor visits that address these relevant medical conditions.
In addition to the form(s), you should also bring along any prescription eyewear that you use, as well as a list of medications you currently take.
Lastly, please come prepared to give us a sample of urine, so you may want to arrive with a full bladder.
During your DOT exam, we check several areas of your health, namely your:
These areas are critical to your ability to safely navigate the roads, but we also ensure that you’re in good general overall health. In other words, a DOT exam isn’t all that different from a regular exam, in which we record your vital signs, collect urine, and perform a physical.
Once your exam is complete, we fill out our part of the form, and you submit the necessary paperwork. Please note that we can give you a greenlight for a maximum of two years, but if you have an underlying condition, you may need to be re-examined more often.
While we’ve outlined the basics for your DOT exam, there are a few tips that can help the process go more smoothly.
For example, we recommend that you avoid caffeine before your DOT exam as it can temporarily raise your blood pressure. You should also avoid a large meal (especially one with sugar or salt) before your physical as this can affect some of our readings.
Please continue to take your prescription medications. They’re already listed on your form, so there’s no need to stop taking them before you come see us.
If you have more questions about your DOT exam, please contact one of our two offices in Forest Hills or Hunters Point in Long Island City, New York.
