D.O.T. Physicals Specialist
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iClinic Atlanta
Family Medicine & Addiction Medicine located in Atlanta, GA
If you operate commercial vehicles for a living, you’re required by law to undergo a D.O.T. physical once every two years. At iClinic Atlanta, Isla Marrero, NP, and Ibrahim Opaleye, MD, offer D.O.T. physicals to bus, truck, and delivery drivers. To make an appointment at the practice in Atlanta, Georgia, call the office to speak with a team member or use the online booking tool at any time.
D.O.T. Physicals Q & A
What are D.O.T. physicals?
A D.O.T. physical is a preventive screening measure that determines if you’re healthy enough to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
Driving a commercial vehicle is physically demanding and emotionally stressful. If you have an underlying health problem that might interfere with your or your passengers’ safety or the safety of others on the road, it must be treated promptly.
Who is required to participate in a D.O.T. physical?
The federal government requires D.O.T. physicals for individuals who:
- Transport hazardous materials in a vehicle with a hazmat placard
- Are paid to drive vehicles that transport more than eight people
- Operate vehicles that carry more than 15 people
- Operate vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of over 10,000 pounds
Once you pass your D.O.T. physical, you receive a license valid for up to two years. If you have an underlying health problem like heart disease or high blood pressure, more frequent testing may be necessary.
What do D.O.T. physicals involve?
At iClinic Atlanta, D.O.T. physicals involve several steps, including:
Step one - Review of your health history
At the beginning of the appointment, your provider has you fill out several forms with information about your health history, including the medications you regularly take, how often you exercise, and if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Step two - Comprehensive physical exam
After filling out and submitting the necessary paperwork, your provider conducts a physical exam. They examine your ears, eyes, nose, and throat; palpate your organs; listen to your heart and respiratory rate; and test your reflexes.
Step three - Laboratory testing
Following the physical, your provider orders a series of lab tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), a lipid panel, and urinalysis. Your provider uses these tests to detect potentially serious underlying health problems like vitamin deficiencies, high cholesterol, or a hormone imbalance.
Step four - Official certification
If all of your test results come back normal, and your provider determines you’re healthy enough to receive D.O.T. certification, they fill out the necessary paperwork. Once you receive the certification form from your provider, you can submit it to your employer and the state of Georgia. A week or two later, you’ll receive your official commercial certification document in the mail.
To learn more about D.O.T. physicals, make an appointment at iClinic Atlanta by calling the office to speak with a team member or booking online today.
