DOT Physical Exam in Tyrone St. Petersburg, FL

How do you find a good doctor for a DOT physical? Come to American Family Care, where we offer comprehensive screenings.

When your employees are classified as “safety-sensitive" for the Department of Transportation (DOT), that means that their job can impact both their own safety and the safety of the public. In order to ensure safety measures, it is mandatory for all employees to have a regular physical check-up in order to keep working. A DOT physical exam adheres to strict guidelines regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA, ensuring that commercial drivers and other safety-sensitive employees are in good health and can work safely.

With these meticulous requirements, DOT physicals can seem overwhelming. To ease in the simplification of the process, here are some important facts for what is included in a DOT physical and how you can prepare for one.

A DOT physical exam is administered to ensure that you’re physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle without endangering yourself and other drivers.

Some of the requirements include:

• Vision must be 20/40 correctable in each eye and combined, with or without correction
• Ability to determine the difference between the colors of traffic lights
• Ability to hear a forced whisper at a distance of at least 5 feet
• Controlled blood pressure according to the FMCSA guidelines
• Blood sugar must be no higher than 200, and will need a waiver if on insulin
• No use of habit forming drugs, amphetamines or narcotics

At AFC Urgent Care St Petersburg near Tyrone our DOT Certified Doctors administer DOT physical exams for drivers. We are conveniently located just a few short minutes’ walk from Tyrone Square Mall at the intersection of Tyrone Blvd and 66th Street South East Corner, next to 5th Third Bank.

For more information about our DOT physical exams or other employer services, please call to speak with one of our medical professionals at (727) 273-1700.

What Does A DOT Physical Consist Of?

Vision

Drivers are required to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye, either with or without correction. Another requirement is to have at least 70" peripheral vision in the horizontal meridian.

Hearing

Drivers must be able to hear what is called forced whisper at a distance of 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid. This equates to an average hearing loss in the better ear of less than 40 dB.

Blood pressure/pulse rate

The medical examiner will also check the driver’s blood pressure and pulse to look for high blood pressure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats).

Urinalysis

A urinalysis is required. The test checks for indications of underlying medical conditions like diabetes.

Physical Examination

The physical exam covers several different categories, such as eyes to check for cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration; ears, checking for scarring of tympanic membrane and perforated ear drums; mouth and throat, to look for problems with breathing or swallowing; heart, any irregularities or conditions that would require a pacemaker; lungs and chest, checking for abnormal breathing, impaired respiratory functions and cyanosis; abdomen and Viscera, to ensure health of the liver, digestion problems and muscle weakness; genito-urinary, for hernias; extremities for impaired limbs; spine, to check for previous surgery, limitation of motion, and tenderness; and lastly neurological irregularities, like impaired equilibrium, ataxia, coordination or speech pattern and asymmetric deep tendon reflexes.

What Is Included In A DOT Physical?

During a DOT physical, the assessor examines your physical and mental health to ensure no pre-existing medical conditions will interrupt your ability to operate a vehicle safely. The examiner performs a series of tests to check your mental health, vision, hearing, blood pressure and digestive health. You will also undergo urinalysis for diabetes and drug testing.

A DOT physical examination generally takes between 30 minutes and one hour to complete. Drivers with existing medical conditions are reminded to bring any appropriate related documents.

How Often Am I Supposed To Get A DOT Physical?

Commercial drivers must take the DOT physical every two years. If you have a condition that requires monitoring, like high blood pressure, you may be required to take a physical more often. Once you have passed your DOT physical, you will receive a certificate.

If you or someone you know are applying for a driving position or already have one are in need of a DOT medical exam, please contact our office for more information and get in touch with a specialist in the St. Petersburg, FL, area. We are located at 2241 66th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.