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DOT Physical Near Portland, OR

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Getting Your DOT Medical Card In Portland

Are you hesitant about the CDL (commercial driver’s license) physical examination or renewal? Let us lay your fears to rest. This exam (formally known as the Department of Transportation or DOT exam) should be relatively quick and allows you to get a commercial operator job. In this article, we address the most frequently asked questions we receive about DOT medical exams in Portland.

What Do You Mean by DOT, CDL, and CMV?

The DOT (Department Of Transportation) regulates transportation in this country, including matters of transportation safety.

A CDL (commercial driver’s license) is different from a personal driver’s license. It is required for anyone driving commercial motor vehicles.

CMVs (commercial motor vehicles) include buses, gas tankers, and other big-rig trucks. They generally weigh at least 10,001 pounds and carry at least 15 passengers. Some CMVs transport hazardous materials.

All operators need a CDL and a DOT medical card to legally drive CMVs.

What Is A DOT Medical Card?

Perhaps you know you need to get a DOT medical card in Portland to begin driving CMVs, but what is this card anyway? The DOT medical card is documentation you carry with you, like your driver’s license, to prove you passed the DOT physical and are legally operating CMVs on public roads.

Why Do I Need To Pass A Physical To Drive?

CMVs have an unusual size, weight, and load capacity compared to cars and pickup trucks. They cause more damage in an accident. As they carry higher risks, CDL drivers must work with stricter guidelines.

What Is Involved In The DOT Medical Exam?

If you have any health conditions that could interfere with your driving or can’t be controlled, it would be unsafe for you to drive commercial vehicles. The exam looks for these disqualifying conditions.

What Kinds Of Medical Conditions Disqualify Me From A CDL Job?

Thankfully, many of our medical issues are controllable under the proper conditions. Some of the possible exceptions are:

  • Uncontrolled Heart Disease- A heart attack on the road would be disastrous. Not only would the driver be far from help, but they could drift into oncoming traffic.
  • Blindness- There are different levels of blindness, but if you can’t see the lines on the road, street signals, and signs, or the surrounding vehicles in your peripheral vision, you’re a hazard behind the wheel.
  • Epilepsy- There are two main types of seizures: spasmodic movements and when someone just checks out and is unaware of their surroundings. Both would be dangerous while driving.
  • Narcolepsy- Uncontrollable sleepiness could cause mass casualties.

    Are DOT Drug Screenings Required In Portland?

    A DOT drug test is not part of the DOT physical. You will provide a urine sample for the medical examiner to perform a urinalysis. This demonstrates if there is excessive protien, blood, or sugar in your urine. The urinalysis does not test for marijuana, narcotics, or other medications.

    Your potential employer can request that a pre-employment drug test be performed at the same time as the DOT medical exam. You can also expect random drug screenings and screenings immediately after injuries or accidents (to verify that you were sober). Your employer can also require you to be tested if you seem inebriated. 

    To Find A Local DOT Physician And Drug Test in Portland:

    Use our Team CME locator tool to search for a “DOT medical card near me” or “DOT Physical near me.” It’s a simple way to find certified DOT medical examiners in Portland.