What You Should Know About DOT Physicals Omaha

By Roger Watson


Getting a commercial driver's license is necessary if you want to drive commercial vehicles in the United States. However, there are requirements that applicants must meet before being issued with a CDL. The Department of Transportation requires that all drivers undergo a medical test to ensure that they are physically fit to handle heavy vehicles. If you want to drive such vehicles, below are some issues about DOT Physicals Omaha people need to understand.

The exam is highly regulated to ensure the safety of drivers. Thus, it is designed to establish id drivers have any physical, emotional, or mental issues that may affect their ability to drive commercial vehicles. The examiners are highly trained to ensure that drivers are fairly examined and not inappropriately disqualified.

Drivers can be exempted for certain conditions. If you have a prevailing medical or physical condition, you should not be scared of being disqualified. If you have a problem meeting the requirements for Physical Impairment parts, Vision, Hearing, or Diabetes then you may qualify for Driver Exemption Program. All you have to do is submit your details with the examiner.

Applicant must undergo a blood pressure test. The work of a commercial vehicle driver is rigorous and can be strenuous at times. For people with conditions such as hypertension, this may expose them to risk of cardiac arrest. In case that happens when they are driving, they could impact on the safety of other road users as well. Hence, applicants should have a regular heart rate.

A urinalysis is also mandatory. This is to determine if the applicant has any protein, blood, and sugar that may indicate a hidden health problem. There could be conditions such as diabetes and Kidney disease that have not yet manifested. Drivers are also tested for alcohol and common drugs. This is to ensure that drivers of commercial vehicles are never under the influence when operating these machines.

Applicant must also undergo a hearing test. Their hearing ability is tested on various distances using different frequencies. This is to ascertain that they are hearing is good enough for road safety. However, individuals with hearing aids can be certified but they must come with their hearing aids for the test.

The sight of the driver is also tested. The doctors use the Snellen eye chart to ensure that drivers can see the road with satisfactory clarity. This helps improve road safety because they can see obstacles from a distance and brake in time. Most heavy vehicles do not brake easily and may fail to hold emergency breaks. Hence, good vision is necessary.

It is also a requirement that the applicant must not be using any Schedule one drugs. These include medications such as narcotics, amphetamines, and any drugs that lead to habits. These drugs affect the individual's ability to operate heavy machinery. Hence, such people are not safe to be driving commercial vehicles.

The medical history of the applicant is also examined. This is to establish if they have any organic, mental, functional, or nervous disease or psychiatric disorder that could affect their ability to operate commercial vehicles. Individuals with such conditions cannot be licensed.

The test is very straight forward. Just ensure that you are well prepared. In case of a problem, you can always seek clarification.




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