DOT Physical Medical Exam: How to Prepare For It

Commercial motor vehicle drivers are required to keep their Department of Transportation (DOT) certifications up to date. To do this, they must have a DOT Physical Medical Exam every two years. Whether this is your first time making a DOT exam appointment or you are a veteran truck driver, having the exam can be stressful. That’s because if you do not pass your DOT exam, you will not be allowed to drive your commercial vehicle unless you can prove you are medically qualified from a different physician.

How to Prepare for DOT Medical Exams

Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your upcoming DOT medical exam that will help you avoid any false positives that could put you at risk for failure:

Provide the Physician with your Most Up-to-Date Medical Information

When you go to your DOT exam appointment, make sure you bring along a list of all your current medications, including supplements and over-the-counter pain medicine. You should also bring a list of any allergies you have and information about your medical history.

Be sure that you arrive with a full bladder to make it easier to provide a urine sample. Some of the medications you are on could cause a false positive to show up in your urine sample. Providing a list of any prescription and non-prescription medicines that you take each day can be helpful.

Make sure to schedule your appointment during a time when you will not be rushed. Take the day off or set aside plenty of time for you to complete the process. If you feel rushed, you will start to get stressed, and that can cause your blood pressure to spike.

Avoid Drinking Caffeinated Beverages

For at least 24 to 48 hours before your physical, you should eliminate sugar and caffeine from your diet. Caffeine will increase your blood pressure and your heart rate, which could lead to negative marks on your exam. High blood pressure is one of the main factors of potentially chronic disease, and if caffeine causes your blood pressure to rise, it could cause the examiner to have concerns. While it may be difficult, especially if you depend on caffeine to keep you going throughout the day, it is better to give it up for a short time than to lose your driving privileges.

Decrease Your Salt and Sodium Intake

Any type of salt will have an impact on your blood pressure and can also lead to unwanted water retention. If you choose to cut back on sodium and salt intake for around a week before your DOT Physical Medical Exam, you will help keep your blood pressure at a stable level.

Eating right before your DOT exam will increase the amount of sugar that shows up in your urine sample. High sugar levels can indicate diabetes and may cause you to be sent for additional testing or put you under work restrictions. Avoid this type of false-negative by only eating a light meal before your test. That will ensure you will not be hungry during the physical but it will not cause any red flags that might signify chronic diseases.

Find a DOT Physical Near Me

If you require a DOT Physical Medical Exam for your job, get in touch with us here at BASS Urgent Care for assistance. We can schedule an exam for you and answer any questions you may have to ensure you get your DOT certification. Give us a call today at (925) 350-4044 for more information.

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