DOT physicals are a requirement for all commercial and truck drivers to ensure that they’re safe to be on the road. Getting a DOT physical can quickly seem like an inconvenience, but skipping it simply isn’t an option. 2020 has mad nearly every aspect of daily life more difficult, so how can drivers get the physical they need during all of the covid commotion? It’s easier than you think!
Where to Get a DOT Physical
Getting a DOT physical is inconvenient, especially if your schedule varies and you’re unsure where you’ll be from one time to another. Traditional offices that offer DOT physicals typically schedule pretty far out, making it a challenge to find the time to get it done. Luckily, there’s a much more convenient alternative! Visiting an urgent care center for your DOT physical will allow more flexibility with both scheduling and location. There are urgent care centers located all across the country and some even offer 24-hour services!
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Before COVID-19, you would have been able to walk into an urgent care with no appointment or calling ahead and get your DOT physical. Now, urgent care centers have to take extra precautions to keep their facility safe and sterile. Contact a nearby urgent care center over the phone or book an appointment online. Even though you have to book an appointment, you will still be able to get in much more quickly than you would at a traditional physician’s office. Be prepared to wear a mask and practice social distancing during your visit. You may be asked covid-19 screening questions prior to your appointment and undergo a temperature check to determine what your risk of carrying covid-19 currently is.
What to Expect
Your DOT physical at an urgent care will be just like a typical DOT physical. The physician will check your weight, blood pressure, and ask some questions about your overall health. Come with a list of current medications or health concerns you may have. It’s also a good idea to come with a full bladder, since a drug test is required.
If you’re in need of a flu shot, covid-19 diagnostic testing, or covid-19 antibody testing, the urgent care you visit can provide those services too! Once you see how convenient, quick, and easy a DOT physical at urgent care is, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!
