What to expect from your DOT Physical in Tennessee

          DOT Physical Exam in Tennessee

Most employers now require routine or random drug testing and physicals before clearing new hires to begin work. This is especially true for anyone who is responsible for obtaining their Commercial Driver’s License. The requirements to pass a physical for the DOT are set at a high standard to ensure that those who drive vehicles which are heavily loaded will not cause harm to the public.
In order to pass the exam you have to:

• You must have 20/40 correctable vision in each eye.
• You cannot be a diabetic on needle-injected insulin

Blood pressure must meet the following criteria

• 140-159 for a 1 year certificate
• 160-179 for a 3month temp
• Greater than 180/110 disqualifying

Those who have recently experienced unexplained blackouts may not pass the physical. The doctor may also check for muscle strength, reflexes, any back problems, issues with internal organs, chronic diseases, any acute conditions, etc. In short, you must be relatively healthy to pass the DOT physical.
Upon arrival at Dr. Tigges's office, you should expect to fill out your DOT Physical and History paperwork.

Over the road, short haul and long haul truckers all require different physical abilities. Truckers must be able to bend, life heavy objects, handle sitting for long periods of time, and the ability to handle very high levels of stress and mental strain. Your body must have sufficient muscle tone in order support the bones in the neck, back and hips during long periods of sitting. Your cardiovascular health should be good in order to avoid the formation of blood clots while sitting.

Your visit to our Gallatin, Tennessee office for a DOT physical should be quick and easy. Walk-ins are available on the same day if we have an opening.  http://www.samedaydot.com/

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing to your appointment. You will need to demonstrate certain physical skills, and your clothing should not be a hindrance to your movements. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown for part of the physical, especially if you need to be checked for pre-existing hernias. See are Frequently asked questions:  http://www.samedaydot.com/faq/

During your physical, it is important to tell the doctor if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that could interfere with your ability to work. You will be asked to provide a urine sample to check for protein or blood in your urine, this is not a drug test.

The Department of Transportation requires all drivers to pass the exam in order to receive their license. While passing the exam is a stressful for some, it will not serve you to be nervous. You will not experience pain during your exam, and most people who take the exam pass.

Dr. Tigges is one of the first in TN to become a certified DOT Medical Examiner of the United States Federal Government. The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners requires all medical examiners performing physical examinations for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers to be trained and certified in FMCSA physical qualification standards.

What can I expect when I get to the office for DOT physical examination?

A nurse will escort you to an examination room when the doctor is ready for you. A nurse will take your vital signs, including your blood pressure, height, weight, heart rate and respiration rate. The doctor will go over your past medical history (3 to 5 years) and your family medical history. Your doctor will notate your list of current prescription medications. He will evaluate your reflexes, hearing, vision and the strength and flexibility of your extremities.

Dr. Tigges strives to provide an efficient, streamlined exam process. Remember, there are many types of physicals. Some require much more extensive testing than the DOT physical. You should be in and out of the office within 30-45 minutes, You will most likely leave the office with your DOT Medical card in hand.

What should I bring for DOT physical?

Bring at least five years of your past medical history so that the doctor can evaluate any injuries and family history. Any medications and habits like smoking or alcohol consumption should also be included in your history. Any and all medical emergencies, especially anything dealing with fainting or a history of anxiety should also be mentioned in your evaluation.

What does the Vision test consist of?

The vision test requires you to have an ability to have a field of vision at least 70 degrees. If you have contact lenses or glasses then you have to be tested at a level of 20/40 or better.

Blood Pressure test: what happens?

With a blood pressure test you have to have a pressure of 140/90 or lower.  When the doctor takes your blood pressure, they wrap a cuff around your upper arm. This cuff is then slowly tightened to measure your blood pressure. It’s painless, quick and quite simple.
Blood pressure must meet the following criteria

• 140-159 for a 1 year certificate
• 160-179 for a 3month temp
• Greater than 180/110 disqualifying

What is the last part of DOT physicals in Tennessee?

Dr. Tigges will examine your neurological functioning including your coordination. In some cases they may toss you a ball, have your squeeze an item tightly and in some cases they will tap your knees to see how fast your nervous system responds. Your equilibrium and neurological functioning is vastly important to your body’s overall functioning.

Whether you need a DOT exam or have other needs, Dr. Tigges's clinic is open to new patients.

Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you. Please use one of the various methods below and we’ll look forward to connecting with you soon!
Phone Number:
615-452-1575
Email Address:
info@samedaydot.com
Our Location:
529 Hartsville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
Right next to Sumner Regional Medical Center across from Perkins Drugstore. Parking for your big rig next door in the Food Lion parking lot.

By: Dr. Michael Tigges

DOT PHYSICAL: What Medical Conditions Can Disqualify a Driver?

 

What Medical Conditions Can Disqualify a Driver?

1. History of epilepsy (seizure disorder).
2. Diabetes requiring the use of insulin (unless you have an exemption issued by the Federal government).
3. If you don’t meet the minimum vision and hearing standards listed above, even with the help of corrective lenses or a hearing aid) you may be disqualified.
   If you don’t meet the vision standards or you are using insulin for your diabetes it is also possible to apply for an exemption by going to the Federal Diabetes and Vision Exemption Program at the FMCSA website.
4. Medications: Use of methadone is automatically disqualifying. Use of a narcotic, amphetamine,or other habit forming drug without a prescription from a treating physician is disqualifying.
5. Loss or impairment of an arm or limb that interferes with commercial driving or tasks related to driving,
6. Unless accompanied by a Skills Performance Certificate (SPE).
7. A driver with a history of alcoholism is disqualifying.

http://www.samedaydot.com/tennessee-dot-physical/

By: Dr. Michael Tigges

Is Your DOT Physical Examination Stressing You Out?

Is Your DOT Physical Examination Stressing You Out?

http://www.samedaydot.com/tennessee-dot-physical/

Know what the physical requirements are for commercial driving to know what your doctor will be looking for during your DOT Physical in Tennessee or other other location.

Vision: At least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction(eyeglasses or contacts) reading the Snellen Chart, and at least 70 degrees of peripheral vison on the horizontal meridian in each eye. Driver must also be able to recognize and distinguish standard traffic signals red, green and amber colors.
Hearing: You Must perceive a forced whisper voice at 5 feet or more with or without hearing aid. Otherwise, you must undergo a formal hearing test with an audiometer and pass.
Blood Pressure: Driver qualified if less than 140/90. If your blood pressure is more than 140/90 but less than 180/110, you may qualify for a shorter interval depending on whether this is an initial or re-certification and also on your medical examiner’s discretion.

What Medical Conditions Can Disqualify a Driver?

1. History of epilepsy (seizure disorder).
2. Diabetes requiring the use of insulin (unless you have an exemption issued by the Federal government).
3. If you don’t meet the minimum vision and hearing standards listed above, even with the help of corrective lenses or a hearing aid) you may be disqualified.
   If you don’t meet the vision standards or you are using insulin for your diabetes it is also possible to apply for an exemption by going to the Federal Diabetes and Vision Exemption Program at the FMCSA website.
4. Medications: Use of methadone is automatically disqualifying. Use of a narcotic, amphetamine,or other habit forming drug without a prescription from a treating physician is disqualifying.
5. Loss or impairment of an arm or limb that interferes with commercial driving or tasks related to driving,
6. Unless accompanied by a Skills Performance Certificate (SPE).
7. A driver with a history of alcoholism is disqualifying.

By: Dr. Michael Tigges

What are the DOT physical blood pressure requirements? How does it affect your DOT Medical card?

High Blood Pressure: How Does This Affect Your DOT Medical Card?

One of the most frequent concerns we hear from commercial drivers regarding the DOT physical exam, is about high blood pressure.
Here is the excerpt from FCMSA Rules and Regulations Part 391.41(b)(6) regarding blood pressure:

“A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with the ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.”

Here are the medical guidelines according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Note that employers are allowed to impose more stringent CDL requirements.

Normal: Medically certified to drive for a two-year period

Normal - Corresponds to a BP of 90 – 119 systolic and /or a BP of 60 – 79 diastolic.

Pre Hypertension - Corresponds to a BP of 120 – 139 systolic and /or a BP of 80 – 89 diastolic.

A driver with a blood pressure of less than 140 systolic and 90 diastolic, is qualified and may get their DOT medical card to drive for a two-year period.

Stage 1 Hypertension: Medically certified to drive for a one-year period

Corresponds to a BP of 140 – 159 systolic and /or a BP of 90-99 diastolic.

A driver with a blood pressure in this range is at low risk for hypertension-related acute incapacitation and may get their DOT medical card to drive for a one-year period. A DOT physical exam should be done annually thereafter and should be at or less than 140/90. If less than 160/100, certification may be extended one time for three months.

Stage 2 Hypertension: One-time medical certification of three months

Corresponds to a BP of 160-179 systolic and/or a BP of 100-109 diastolic.

The driver is given a one-time DOT medical card of three months to reduce his or her blood pressure to less than or equal to 140/90.
A driver with a blood pressure in this range is a candidate for antihypertensive drug therapy. Provided treatment is well tolerated and the driver demonstrates a BP value of 140/90 or less, they may get their medical card for one year from the date of the initial exam. The driver should do a DOT physical exam annually thereafter.

Stage 3 Hypertension: Disqualified

Corresponds to a BP at or greater than 180 systolic and / or 110 diastolic.

A driver with a blood pressure in this range is considered a high risk for an acute BP-related event, and is disqualified.
The driver may not be qualified for a DOT medical card, even temporarily, until blood pressure is reduced to equal to or less than 140/90 and treatment is well tolerated. The driver may be certified for 6 months and biannually (redo their DOT physical exam every 6 months) thereafter if at recheck BP is equal to or less than 140/90.

Bottom Line For Commercial Drivers:

Your Blood Pressure Needs To Be BELOW 140/90.

 

 

http://www.samedaydot.com/faq/#14

 

By Dr. Michael Tigges

DOT PHYSICAL HELPFUL TIPS

Helpful Tips

Here, you’ll find tips from Doctor Tigges to make your DOT physical exam as quick, simple, and hassle-free as possible.

Also, in our frequently asked questions page, you’ll find answers to questions we hear from drivers about what is required to certify for a CDL medical card and what may cause a driver to fail the DOT physical exam.

DOT Physical Exam: Things to Plan in Advance

If you have a medical condition you’re going to need some paperwork:

• Diabetic Condition – Bring a list of medications and name of prescribing doctor. Diabetic truckers may need to bring in a copy of your blood sugar results or hemoglobin A1C (a test that shows what the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months.)
• High Blood Pressure - Bring a list of medications and name of prescribing doctor.
• Heart Condition – If you’ve had a heart attack or cardiovascular disease, you’ll need to bring a copy of your last stress test or release from your cardiologist.
• Sleep Apnea – Bring a copy of your latest sleep test results, if you have one.
• Medications – List all the prescription medicines you take, including strength and dosage. If you regularly take over-the counter medications, such as antacids or allergy pills, list them, too.
• Contact Information – Have names and phone numbers of your doctors in case you need to call and have them fax missing information.

DOT Physical Exam: Things To Do to Manage Your Blood Pressure:

• Make sure you don’t run out of your prescribed blood-pressure medication.
• Remember to take your medication on schedule. If you forget, most doctors recommend taking your medication as soon as possible.
• If you’re significantly late taking your medication, tell the doctor conducting the DOT physical you forgot to take your regular medication. If your blood pressure is too high, ask to have it rechecked later that day – or even the following day.
• Cutting back on caffeine and nicotine can help improve your blood pressure.
• Reducing the amount of salty foods you eat and avoiding adding salt to your food can also help to lower your blood pressure. (30 percent of idiopathic hypertension [high blood pressure] is related to reduced potassium levels – Ask your physician.)
• Invest in a blood pressure cuff – you would not drive with out gauges working in your truck. A blood pressure cuff is your gauges for your body.
• Cut back on coffee, sodas, energy drinks, potato chips, etc, and don’t add salt to your food. Also reduce your use of nicotine as much as possible. Doing this can help lower your blood pressure reading.

The Day of the DOT Physical Exam:

• Remember to bring the medical records you’ve prepared in advance, including your list of medications.
• Remember to bring eye glasses (it’s surprising how many people forget this).
• Drink water. You’ll need to provide a sample.

Getting Past ‘White Coat’ Syndrome:

• We understand this is a very real concern for some drivers.
• We work with drivers all day long. We understand that passing your DOT physical exam is important to your continued career and your livelihood, and we’re here to do everything we can to help you.DOT PHYSICAL HELPFUL TIPS

By: Dr. Michael Tigges

• 

What impact does the National Registry have on CMV drivers and motor carriers?

National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Deadline May 21st, 2014 Approaches

As of May 21, 2014, interstate CMV drivers are required to obtain physical examinations and a medical examiner's certificate from a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry website.

Is this program applicable to both interstate and intrastate CMV drivers?

No, this program is only applicable to interstate drivers. Intrastate drivers must follow State requirements concerning medical certification.

How is the medical certificate issued by an ME on the National Registry different from the current medical certificate?

The new medical certificate will contain the same information as the current medical certificate, but will now include the ME's National Registry number.

By: Dr. Michael Tigges

 

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