DOT Physical Question

**schis** · 10-20-2008, 01:20 AM

Hello,
First time post, long time reader. Ok, I'll start with my story. I went to trucking school last Sept when I was 19/ finished when I turned 20. With the school I got my DOT pysical card and got a job. My card expired Aug, and I left my local alcohol delivery job a few months back for personal reasons. Now I am almost 21 (on sunday 26) and I want to drive OTR. Now here are some questions:
1- (I'm pretty sure I know this but just asking) Do you need a DOT medical card when operating OTR expediting truck?
2- If I don't have medical insurance can I still get a DOT Physical?
3- What is a rough estimate on cost of physical without medical insurance?
4- This doesn't pertain to DOT but- Any suggestions on companies to drive for out of Ohio?
5- Any fleet owner need a driver (haha driver AKA me)?

Thanks,
Chris

**DougTravels** · 10-20-2008, 01:57 AM

I hope this helps you:

1- (I'm pretty sure I know this but just asking) Do you need a DOT medical card when operating OTR expediting truck?
If the Gvw is over 10,000 lbs for sure under 10,000 I am not sure it might depend on the carrier
2- If I don't have medical insurance can I still get a DOT Physical?
Yeah but you'll have to pay for it
3- What is a rough estimate on cost of physical without medical insurance?

I paid 52.00 I think, but anyways 50-100 should cover it.. I'd wait until I signed with someone though. Some Companys due it at orientation at a discounted price.
4- This doesn't pertain to DOT but- Any suggestions on companies to drive for out of Ohio?
I know PTL is in toledo, not sure if they only run owner operators though. I think Fed Ex has some place in Ohio, Not sure if 21 is old enough for some carriers either, seems like some want 25 and up but I may be wrong.
5- Any fleet owner need a driver (haha driver AKA me)?
I just have my truck, but there are a few on here anyone want to talk to this young man and give him his start.

Good Luck to you!

**transporter** · 10-20-2008, 04:45 AM

dont bother with Physical most companies make you take one when you hire on. no matter how long ago you had a dot physical

**schis** · 10-20-2008, 09:15 AM

Hey DougTravels, thanks for the reply info so quick. I really appreciate it. I'm glad to know there are some good guys out there when help is needed. Thanks!

**nightcreacher** · 10-20-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by schis

Hello,
First time post, long time reader. Ok, I'll start with my story. I went to trucking school last Sept when I was 19/ finished when I turned 20. With the school I got my DOT pysical card and got a job. My card expired Aug, and I left my local alcohol delivery job a few months back for personal reasons. Now I am almost 21 (on sunday 26) and I want to drive OTR. Now here are some questions:
1- (I'm pretty sure I know this but just asking) Do you need a DOT medical card when operating OTR expediting truck?
2- If I don't have medical insurance can I still get a DOT Physical?
3- What is a rough estimate on cost of physical without medical insurance?
4- This doesn't pertain to DOT but- Any suggestions on companies to drive for out of Ohio?
5- Any fleet owner need a driver (haha driver AKA me)?

Thanks,
Chris

You havent stated what kind of liscense you have,A or B
in either case,you will have to get another Dot physical.You will need to re-qualify your driving test to sign on with a reputable company,and most expedite companies will require you to have a haz mat endorsement.As far as the expedite companies,these cpmpanies put on owner operators,if your trying to get on as a driver,you would have to find a fleet owner that has their trucks on with one of the expedite companies.Hope this helps

**Dreamer** · 10-20-2008, 01:13 PM

schis,
I would do your research here first, and decide which company you want to drive for. Then, contact their recruiting company, and ask if they can refer you to a fleet owner in your area. Most companies keep such lists I believe. The recruiter will then give you the details of what they require as far as physical, whether they do it at orientation, etc.

Physical in Ohio, I paid $55 for my last one, some companies just require one that's within the last 6 months, and you will need a copy of the long form and your medical card.

Again, use our search feature to find out info on companies... you can get an idea of the one that's right for you.

Don't just jump in the business with whatever owner will put you in a truck, and then go with whatever company he puts you with. Pick your company first, then find a fleet owner with that company.

Dale

**themagicoen** · 10-20-2008, 04:24 PM

Hey you got the same birthday as me! Though I'm turning 25. It's been said but most carriers will give you a physical at orientation any way. At one point when I was about your age I had 5 dot cards, 1 from CA, 1 from AZ, 1 from OH, 2 from MN. If you had a class A license and want to go that route there is many carriers will take you on with a trainer. Werner, Swift, Covenant, etc - you won't make much money, .10-.20/mile while training, .25-.30 after BUT it is a good way to get experience of living on the road, what it is like to be a driver as once you boil it down to the core lesson it's the same if your a tractor or straight truck driver doing expedite. Though with the latter will require lessons in load selection, time management, cost/expense, etc but any good owner out there can mentor you in these things.

**blondechick** · 10-20-2008, 04:46 PM

You need to ask yourself a few questions before you decide on a company:

1) How do you feel about going to Canada?
Some company's bread and butter is Canada.
2) How good are you at log books?
If you hate paperwork consider a van or electronic logs.
3) Are you self motivated or do you need supervision?
Freedom is good if you can handle it. I'm with Landstar and
they give you enough slack that you can hang yourself if
you not careful.
4) How long can you handle being in a bad job?
Some fleet owners require a minimum contract to work for
them, make sure you can tough if out, or it could cost you
money. Avoid minimum contracts if possilble when starting
out.

There are many more things you need to consider, I'm just drawing a blank right now.

**dare2dream1** · 10-20-2008, 05:56 PM

Blondechick,,,, Are you driving solo or team?

**cheri1122** · 10-20-2008, 08:18 PM

Blondechick's reply is intriguing, and I'd be interested in hearing more details, but: the previous 2 posts are an example of "hijacking" a thread, by taking it in a totally different direction. (Not to be confused with the normal conversational turns of threads).
D2D, you're fairly new, so maybe you didn't know that private msgs can be used for your communication and/or questions to a specific member, ok?
Now, back to the regularly scheduled programming.