Hackensack Meridian Works Why CMV Drivers Should Schedule DOT Physicals at Hackensack Meridian Health
Every employee who drives a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) must undergo a special physical examination every two years to ensure they’re qualified to perform their jobs safely. Drivers who pass this U.S. Department of Transportation-mandated (DOT) physical receive a Medical Examiner’s Certificate from the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The certificate signifies their medical fitness to do their job and is good for up to 24 months. Employers must maintain accurate records about their drivers’ Medical Examiner’s Certificates; workers can’t drive a commercial motor vehicle or maintain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) without this certificate.
DOT physicals are designed to flag conditions that could impact a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle. Drivers who have hearing loss, vision problems, heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea or epilepsy may not pass the physical.
Who performs DOT physicals?
DOT physicals may only be performed by licensed medical examiners who have been certified by FMCSA. Some employers have their own licensed medical examiners, but many rely upon medical examiners outside their organization.
It’s simpler for employers when they don’t have to maintain a medical examiners’ federal certification and the associated fees. (Licensed medical examiners are required to complete refresher training at least twice during a 10-year period, then pass a recertification exam after 10 years.) Often, it’s more convenient for employers to send their CMV drivers to licensed medical examiners at other facilities.
At Hackensack Meridian Health, our licensed medical examiners regularly administer DOT physical exams to CMV drivers for employers throughout New Jersey. Our trusted providers are listed in the FMCSA’s national registry of certified medical examiners. What happens during a DOT physical During DOT physicals, licensed medical examiners perform thorough examinations of CMV drivers. The examiners assess the drivers’ mental, physical, and emotional health to ensure that they are fit to operate commercial motor vehicles.
When a CMV driver comes in for an appointment, the medical examiner asks about their medical history and then begins the physical exam. The examiner checks the driver’s vital signs, including their pulse and blood pressure. They assess the driver’s heart and respiratory health. They also look for signs of back pain, hernias, or other conditions that may make it challenging for drivers to do their job effectively.
Licensed medical examiners examine the driver’s eyes, ears, mouth, and throat, then test their hearing and vision. These health checks confirm whether a CMV driver can adequately see and hear everything around them while they’re on the road.
The medical examiners assess a screening tool that measures risk factors for sleep apnea, and refer, if needed, for further sleep testing. use a pulse oximeter to measure the CMV driver’s blood oxygen levels; levels may be low if a driver has a respiratory condition or shortness of breath. Drivers with sleep apnea who use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night must bring a documentation form for their CPAP to the physical.
Drivers give a urine sample during the DOT physical, so licensed medical examiners can check for protein in their urine, which may be a sign of diabetes or kidney disease.
Occasionally, licensed medical examiners determine that a CMV driver has a condition that may disqualify them from being granted their Medical Examiner’s Certificate. When this happens, their employer may apply for a waiver, or they may appeal the results.
Benefits of getting a DOT physical at Hackensack Meridian Health Our licensed medical examiners have been performing DOT physicals for years, so they’re well-versed in the FMCSA regulations.
The examiners perform the physicals quickly and efficiently, so the wait time is minimal. It’s easy to schedule an appointment at a time that’s convenient for your drivers. For information about DOT physical examinations or for more information about our licensed medical examiners, contact us at hmworks@hmhn.org.
Hackensack Meridian Works Why CMV Drivers Should Schedule DOT Physicals at Hackensack Meridian Health Every employee who drives a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) must undergo a special physical examination every two years to ensure they’re qualified to perform their jobs safely. Drivers who pass this U.S. Department of Transportation-mandated (DOT) physical receive a Medical Examiner’s Certificate from the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The certificate signifies their medical fitness to do their job and is good for up to 24 months.
Employers must maintain accurate records about their drivers’ Medical Examiner’s Certificates; workers can’t drive a commercial motor vehicle or maintain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) without this certificate.
DOT physicals are designed to flag conditions that could impact a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle. Drivers who have hearing loss, vision problems, heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea or epilepsy may not pass the physical.
Who performs DOT physicals? DOT physicals may only be performed by licensed medical examiners who have been certified by FMCSA. Some employers have their own licensed medical examiners, but many rely upon medical examiners outside their organization.
It’s simpler for employers when they don’t have to maintain a medical examiners’ federal certification and the associated fees. (Licensed medical examiners are required to complete refresher training at least twice during a 10-year period, then pass a recertification exam after 10 years.) Often, it’s more convenient for employers to send their CMV drivers to licensed medical examiners at other facilities.
At Hackensack Meridian Health, our licensed medical examiners regularly administer DOT physical exams to CMV drivers for employers throughout New Jersey. Our trusted providers are listed in the FMCSA’s national registry of certified medical examiners.
What happens during a DOT physical
During DOT physicals, licensed medical examiners perform thorough examinations of CMV drivers. The examiners assess the drivers’ mental, physical, and emotional health to ensure that they are fit to operate commercial motor vehicles.
When a CMV driver comes in for an appointment, the medical examiner asks about their medical history and then begins the physical exam. The examiner checks the driver’s vital signs, including their pulse and blood pressure. They assess the driver’s heart and respiratory health. They also look for signs of back pain, hernias, or other conditions that may make it challenging for drivers to do their job effectively.
Licensed medical examiners examine the driver’s eyes, ears, mouth, and throat, then test their hearing and vision. These health checks confirm whether a CMV driver can adequately see and hear everything around them while they’re on the road.
The medical examiners assess a screening tool that measures risk factors for sleep apnea, and refer, if needed, for further sleep testing. use a pulse oximeter to measure the CMV driver’s blood oxygen levels; levels may be low if a driver has a respiratory condition or shortness of breath. Drivers with sleep apnea who use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night must bring a documentation form for their CPAP to the physical.
Drivers give a urine sample during the DOT physical, so licensed medical examiners can check for protein in their urine, which may be a sign of diabetes or kidney disease.
Occasionally, licensed medical examiners determine that a CMV driver has a condition that may disqualify them from being granted their Medical Examiner’s Certificate. When this happens, their employer may apply for a waiver, or they may appeal the results.
Benefits of getting a DOT physical at Hackensack Meridian Health
Our licensed medical examiners have been performing DOT physicals for years, so they’re well-versed in the FMCSA regulations.
The examiners perform the physicals quickly and efficiently, so the wait time is minimal. It’s easy to schedule an appointment at a time that’s convenient for your drivers.
For information about DOT physical examinations or for more information about our licensed medical examiners, contact us at hmworks@hmhn.org.