DOT Physical

[cook1965]

I'm thinking about changing careers and i have been looking at truck driving. I would love to own my own truck but i know i need experince first. Anyway about the question, before or even during driving school i need a DOT physical, I will pass, i'm in real good health and shape except for one thing. I found out 3 months ago i have a hernia! it is a inguanial hernia right side of my groin. my doctor said to leave it alone and keep an eye on it and see what comes of it. During the physical they will find out about it, will I fail? Should i maybe do some deep thinking about my future driving trucks?
thank you for taking time to answer

[JamesD2]

Hi There,

Well the deep thinking part has sent Me on a almost three a year journey and I finally am ready to sign up. Your best bet is to look at your home-life, ties, lifestyle etc... And ask any and ALL questions You might have here on the board, there is no stupid question only maybe a stupid answer. :wink:


As for the Hernia there should be no problem If Your follow your Doc guidelines. I would just go to your local clinic and have the DOT exam done be honest and tell the Doc You have a hernia. You might have to go back to Your Doctor or a "Hernia Specialist" for an approval. BOL

James

[tag along]

I would'nt worry about a hernia. I would not even mention it. It has no effect on you driving a truck. They are looking mostly for eye sight,hearing,reflex and diabetes problems.

[Uturn2001]

It is going to depend on how bad the hernia is and how the examining doctor feels about it. If the doc feels that it is bad enough to be distracting while you are driving due to the discomfort issue he will fail you.

This is from the instructions to the examiner from the FMCSA regs:

Note hernias. A condition causing discomfort should be evaluated to determine the extent to which the condition might interfere with the control and safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle.

One thing to keep in mind though is that no matter what kind of trucking you go into there is a good chance that you may have to do heavy lifting, up to 75 lbs, from time to time and also that you will have to be pulling on levers to release the 5th wheel and unlock the trailer tandems so that you can slide them to adjust the axle weights which can require a fair amount of force, both of which may aggravate your hernia big time and rapidly.

[Night Zombie]

Do not mention the inguinal hernia I was told by a doc many years ago I had an inguinal hernia, and I thought I would have to have an operation in order to pass the DOT physical. :sad:

Well, just to be wild and crazy, i paid my $65 for a physical, and they DID check for a hernia (female nurse woo hoo) , but they did not dind one.

Either the first doc was wrong, or I just got lucky.

Have been driving truck now for 10 months.

NZ