Pre-Employment Screening Program

If you want to become a truck driver for a freight company that you believe will be able to provide you with stability and longevity in your job, it is important that you also know about the pre-employment screening program you must pass in order to get the position you seek. While most freight companies are not looking for you to jump through hoops, a proper pre-employment screening program is important because you will potentially be entrusted with the safety of a very expensive truck and cargo that could be worth immeasurably more. For your safety as well as the safety of anyone you might encounter on the open road, a screening simply comes with the territory.

While it is likely that any freight company’s pre-employment screening program will include verifying your age as well as your driving record to make sure there are not too many blemishes on it, the most important item will certainly be the DOT physical and drug screening that you will need to pass. A DOT physical and drug screening is required and will prove to be the only way to let your employer know that you are drug free and physically capable of driving a big rig.

Before the DOT physical actually begins, you will typically be required to submit a written account of your medical history as well as orally inform the examiner of any pre-existing or current issues that could affect your performance. Then, you will likely have your blood pressure taken to make sure it falls within normal levels. At this point, urine will likely be collected to test your sugar levels as well as for the presence of drugs in your system.

Perhaps most importantly, the DOT physical portion of your pre-employment screening program will include an extensive test of your vision, hearing, and physical capabilities. You will likely have to read an eye chart, identify basic colors, prove that your peripheral vision is good, and that you can hear barely audible noises. Then, your bending capabilities will be checked as well as your balance, and hand eye coordination. As long as you are able to prove to the doctor or nurse that you are physically fit enough to drive, your vitals are good, and your urine does not show any signs that you are on drugs or diabetic, you will be ready for employment.