The Federal Motor Carriers Association (FMCSA) began enforcing a new mandate on May 21, 2014 with the intention of improving safety on America’s roads and highways. For decades, truck and bus drivers have been required to undergo a regular physical examination to assess their physical and mental state. The purpose of this examination is to ensure that drivers are safely in control of their large vehicles at all times.
The FMCSA relies on the clinical judgment of the individual medical examiner to decide whether the driver is healthy, strong and capable of safely getting behind the wheel on a daily basis. Up until now, clinicians have utilized the guidelines set out by the FMCSA in order to make this important public safety decision. The new FMCSA mandate has created a medical certification process for examining; this will better ensure that drivers are physically qualified to operate commercial vehicles safely.
The mandate has added several new requirements in addition to the previous guidelines. Importantly only certified clinicians can provide these Department of Transportation (DOT) examinations, and distribute a medical clearance card that safely allows the driver to perform his/her job. Clinicians can conduct these exams only after they’ve met the following requirements:
1) Participate in specific training
2) Pass a certification examination
3) Register in a national certified provider network
4) Digitally report the outcome of that DOT exam to the Federal Government at its completion. *The data transferred does not infringe upon the drivers’ HIPAA protective rights but creates a database of all drivers who have been medically examined to drive and any restrictions or provisional issues that may exist.
The Bakie Center at Access Occupational Medicine (a division of Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics) is proud to announce that our providers are certified to perform DOT Physicals according to this mandate. Certified DOT Physicals are now available in each of our five locations including Exeter, Portsmouth, Plaistow, Raymond and Rochester. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit accesssportsmed.com or call (603) 775-7000.
The Bakie Center at Access Occupational Medicine, keeping our highways safe, one driver at a time!