Blog
What Can Long-distance Truck Drivers Do to Maintain Their Physical and Mental Health?
The men and women who make sure your packages, food stuffs, and other essential materials are delivered intact and on time usually face gruelingly long hours on the road, frequent separations from loved ones, and considerable mental and physical stress. We queried...
Which factors lead to a temporarily suspended DOT physical certification and what course of action can lift the suspension?
A suspended DOT physical certification can cause a lot of stress and devastation. However, knowing what leads to a suspension and how to get it lifted can help you stay calm and follow the proper course of action to get your suspension raised. Read on to...
Fatal Flaws: Error Correction Training For Urine Specimen Collectors
Mistakes happen. You forget to sign a document, the test tube leaks, or the tube does not seal correctly. While you may be able to resolve or correct some errors, others are considered fatal flaws. If the urine sample is no longer usable and the test can no longer be...
Why Portable Spirometers Are Invaluable For DOT Examiners
For those who are or want to become a DOT certified medical examiner, having the right tools is crucial. They will allow you to accurately assess the health and fitness of the commercial drivers you see in your office. While you may already have many of these tools,...
Medical Marijuana: How it Can Affect Your CDL Status
Medical marijuana is scientifically proven to aid people with certain physical and mental illnesses. And, like many medicines, whether derived from plants or chemically created, marijuana has side effects. Is prescribed marijuana legal when driving with a CDL...
Do shifting schedules impact commercial drivers’ ability to drive safely or their DOT physicals?
Commercial drivers can find jobs at any hour of the day or night, which can be great for flexibility. But it can be disruptive when schedules are constantly changing. These safe driving enthusiasts discuss the impacts of shifting schedules on commercial drivers'...
7 Factors That Can Affect Blood Pressure During DOT Physical
If you have your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you may need a physical exam. Your blood pressure is a vital aspect of the physical and an important indicator of your health. Untreated high or low blood pressure can lead to avoidable accidents, so it’s important...
Navigating Physical Exams For Commercial Drivers With Depression
Without commercial drivers like you, grocery stores would be bare, fast food chains wouldn’t have ingredients to supersize meals, and gas stations wouldn’t have fuel to get everyone to their destinations. You know your career is vital for everyone’s lives, but it...
What are the consequences for drivers refusing random alcohol and drug testing?
Refusing any substance testing for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver can have serious consequences. Drivers must be aware of alcohol and drug testing regulations regarding refusals for the licensing State, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and their...
Understanding DOT Breath Alcohol Testing Procedures
Breath alcohol testing is a non-invasive method for determining your breath alcohol concentration quickly. These tests ensure you or others in safety-sensitive positions are not under the influence of alcohol when on duty. You may need to submit for breath alcohol...
Recent Posts
Don’t Get Derailed by DOT Record-Keeping Requirements: How to Stay on Track
Navigating the complexities of Department of Transportation record-keeping requirements is no easy task. The DOT has strict guidelines governing the way that transportation companies operate. These rules are in place to keep drivers and citizens safe, but because they...
Can I Return to Commercial Driving After a Heart Attack?
It is an unfortunate truth that truck drivers and commercial drivers in the United States are at a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. If you are a commercial driver and you have a heart condition or have experienced a...
A Comprehensive Guide to Alcohol Screening
Companies may choose to conduct alcohol screening for various reasons. For some federally regulated workers, governing organizations mandate random alcohol screening. For other organizations, alcohol testing is more likely to be conducted after an accident, when there...
Why Positive Drug Tests Aren’t Always the End of the Road
As you will learn in the course of your DOT urine collection certification, urine drug tests occasionally come back positive even though the donor isn't using any illicit drugs. Sometimes, the drug tests pick up other prescription medications making it appear as if...
How an Employer Can Assess the Proficiency of a Specimen Collector
Your business's reputation is defined by the proficiency of your staff. Drug testing specimen collectors and Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs) get training according to the Department of Transportation's regulations, so a DOT certification course is a solid indicator...