What You Need to Know About a CDL Medical Exam
If you are planning to get a commercial driver’s license then you need to know that you will have to undergo a basic medical examination. It is these medical exams that follow a guideline form the US Department of Transportation. You need to know that it is only a licensed examiner that can perform these types of exams. The CDL medical exam will do different examinations for individuals availing of a commercial driver’s license. This article will guide you on the different processes that the individual will go through when opting for a CDL medical exam.
One of the things that will be conducted in a CDL medical exam is the taking of health history. It is the medical examiner that will be taking the applicant of any known medical issues that they have. It is important for the applicant to be honest when it comes to answering these questions. The physician will determine if the applicant has experienced any serious illness for the past years. They will also determine if there are any issues experienced, especially on the vital senses like vision, hearing, and many more.
Another part of the exam is the vision test. With commercial driving or any driving for that matter, eyesight is one of the most vital sense that should be in good condition. For anyone to be able to pass the CDL medical exam then it is their vision that should be up to the standards or guidelines required. For people that are warring eyeglasses or contact lenses, they should prove that these appliances suit them well.
It is also the applicant that will have to undergo a hearing test. For anyone to drive safely, then it is their hearing that should also be in good condition. A hearing test will be conducted to determine if the individual has a good level of hearing. People with hearing aids can still undergo the test. It is important though to demonstrate that hearing aid is effective in helping the individual hear the things around him better.
The tests will also be checking the blood pressure of the applicant. It is important for any driver to have a blood pressure that is within safe limits. Individuals with blood pressure issues should divulge it to the medical examiner. You need to know though that having a high blood pressure will not bar you from getting a commercial driver’s license. It is the physician though that will be prescribing medications to help control it.
There are also lab tests that the applicant will go through when they will be doing a CDL medical exam. The examiner will require you to submit a urine sample. It is the lab exams that will be conducted to determine any underlying health problems that the applicant might have.
Another part of the medical exam is the physical check. It is this one where the examiner will check your physical appearance. This will let them determine if there are any deformities or any signs of illness that can have an effect on your ability to drive commercial vehicles.
