5 Things That You Must Avoid Before Your DOT Physical

Are you preparing for the DOT physical test? DOT Physical test providers tend to disqualify entrants or sometimes delay the certification process for several reasons. If you’re looking forward to passing your DOT physical, you must give utmost importance to the following two test categories: blood pressure and urinalysis.

In this post, we will discuss ways to help you prepare for your dot physicals and maximize your chances of passing with flying colors.

Be Diligent With Your Blood Pressure Medication

The DOT physical is a very particular exam with quite specific parameters. Optimum blood pressure is one of the most important factors considered for the DOT physical exam. The FMCSA is definitive about blood pressure results and it’s one of the most common reasons many people fail the test.

If you are on blood pressure medication, you mustn’t forget to take it at the right time before the test. You do not want abnormal fluctuations in your BP during the test. The evaluators won’t certify you if your blood pressure reading goes above the limit prescribed by the FMCSA.

Avoid Caffeine Or Other Substances That Can Affect Your Blood Pressure

There are a couple of other factors that you must pay attention to that can otherwise adversely affect your blood pressure. For instance, caffeine can temporarily elevate your blood pressure. You must avoid any kind of caffeine intake before appearing for your DOT physical examination.

Although you’re unlikely to be disqualified for slight fluctuation, drinking a cup of coffee or energy drinks can elevate your blood pressure over the stipulated threshold and lead to disqualification.

Urinalysis Component

The urinalysis component or the specific gravity test tests your urine concentration. You must stay clear of being overly hydrated or dehydrated to pass this test. If you guzzle fluids before the DOT physical, you might test for diluted urine. On the other hand, if you don’t drink anything for long hours, you could have concentrated urine.

If your specific gravity is off, it may trigger the FMCSA to mark you for further testing, delaying your certification. And this will become costly. So you should drink a normal amount of fluids before taking your DOT physical.

Avoid Certain Foods Before The Test

You must avoid taking several foods before appearing for your DOT physical examination. Foods like beets, carrots, blackberries, fava beans and rhubarb, or anything can discolor your urine. If your urine is discolored during the test, the medical examiner might again mark you for additional testing that could further delay your certification and cost you more money.

Don’t Use The Bathroom

You must avoid using the bathroom just before giving your DOT physical. We recommend keeping a full bladder before your urine component is sampled. Several applicants’ processes get delayed just because they are not able to produce a sample at the right time. Again, this could unnecessarily delay your process.

Conclusion

That wraps up the five things you need to avoid before taking your DOT physical exam. Also, note that the FMCSA makes changes to the rules or guidelines for the DOT physicals from time to time.

Examiners wouldn’t prefer drivers walking into a medical examiner’s office and not knowing what these changes are, which causes them to be disqualified and lose their jobs.

So be sure to stay updated and follow the guidelines diligently to maximize your chances of passing your DOT physical as soon as possible.