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deadpat03@reddit

By law, it is you that needs to get your DOT. If the company does it for you, then that is a bonus. But the company is not required to keep you DOT up to day. That's all you, bud. Just remember, if you lose it and wait too long, you will lose your CDL now. That will require you to go through the entire school again in some states.

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PollutionFinancial71@reddit

If it expires and you are not currently driving a truck, can’t you just go to the DMV and switch your license to “expected INTRAstate”, then if and when you decide to drive a truck again, get the medical certificate, go to the DMV again and switch it back to “non-expected INTERstate”?

That way, you get to keep your CDL without having a medical certificate.

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deadpat03@reddit

That's what they want you to do. But if you don't, then it's a suspended/revoked/ disqualified CDL. States have different terminology on it.

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Western-Willow-9496@reddit

You mean “exempt intrastate” that’s not a thing in all states.

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mebigRick@reddit

And in PA they are very quick to send you a letter that it’s suspended

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lildobe@reddit

Hell, I haven't driven in like 7 years, and I still have to send a letter in to the DMV every two years to certify that I'm not driving in interstate commerce, but wish to retain my CDL.

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3579@reddit

What, that's bs. What states is this in?

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deadpat03@reddit

I know florida is. If you don't keep it updated, your license is suspended, and you must retest. If you volunterly downgrade, you can get a reinstatement fee instead.

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3579@reddit

Ah, in wi the CDL is suspended the day the Fed med expires. But if you just go get the fed med and then have the DMV scan it your back licensed again. Mine is like a year expired and suspended but I hope I can just get it back again now that I'm looking to drive again.

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deadpat03@reddit

I know florida is. If you don't keep it updated, your license is suspended, and you must retest. If you volunterly downgrade, you can get a reinstatement fee instead.

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jcarney231@reddit

I always volunteer to pay for myself. Employers really like Concentra and the one time I went to one they were pushing HARD for a sleep study even though I'm home daily with no indication of sleep apnea and wasn't over weight. A local clinic that has a FMCSA approved doc doesn't have time for that nonsense and won't keep me waiting for hours. That being said, most places I've worked cover the cost and 1 paid me hourly for the time it took to complete.

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diragono@reddit

My company pays for mine but I have to go to a doctor in their network, but the company my dad works for doesn’t care where you go, but you also pay for it yourself. Personally, I’d rather pay myself. The one I did pay for, when I started cdl school, I think was like only $90 or something and I went to my primary care doctor

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Blue_Collar_Golf@reddit

I’ve heard it both ways, I wouldn’t necessarily expect them to pay for it since it’s a requirement to hold the license and you can carry the med card over to your next job. It’s just part of having your CDL paperwork in order as you apply to jobs that require it.

If you’re 1099 I definitely wouldnt expect them to pay it, but as a w2 driver I think it’s appropriate for employers to cover the renewal. Either way, I wouldn’t run as it’s not a red flag imo, more of a perk if they do cover it.

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RebelTvshka@reddit

This would be a big enough red flag of a company about to go under that I'd jump ship. I came from the medical field, where the company would pay for all required certifications and classes, so long as I held the license and was on their payroll. It's kinda worrying that the company can't afford to pay for a cheap exam once a year or so.

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functional_moron@reddit

I'd say paying for your own dot physical is fine as long as you can go wherever you want.

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PollutionFinancial71@reddit

Exactly. It costs less than $100 in most cases.

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SlothyTendecies@reddit

I pay for it myself, but we get reimbursed for it.

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chaoss402@reddit

Company I work for pays and pays your time, only if you go to concentra. If you want to go to a Dr that isn't a crook it's on your own dime.

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Level_Suggestion_777@reddit

This is why a go to the local chiropractor. I will never go back to the sleep study mill

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ResidentInner8293@reddit

Sleep study mill?

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DoctorZebra@reddit

Yeah, there are a lot of experts in medicine in this sub who are convinced that sleep apnea isn't a thing.

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PeteinaPete@reddit

Pap machine ‘experts’ !

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Jondiesel78@reddit

You should always have your own DOT physical. Anytime a company gets it for you, it allows them to mess up your CDL if you fail at their place, or their doctor decides you need a sleep study.

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ashaggyone@reddit

I turned down offers that required their onw dot docs physical. My body my choice fuckers

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CapitanPino@reddit

Last 2 companies paid for mine. Midsize fleet for my first company and currently with Werner biding my time waiting for a fuel hauling job.

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fastnsx21@reddit

Never paid for a physical in my life

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nastyzoot@reddit

Never had to pay for one until this gig. I was pissed at first, but then realized that meant I didn't have to use their place. So I went to the local rubber stamp office. It also means that if they tell you to do a sleep study you can tell them to fuck off and go shop around for your card.

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PollutionFinancial71@reddit

You shouldn’t be paying more than $100 for a DOT physical. With that in mind, if your new gig is paying you enough for you to have switched over from your old gig, $100 shouldn’t be a big deal.

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MR_6OUIJA6BOARD6@reddit

My employer pays for it.

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PollutionFinancial71@reddit

I have always handled it myself, and I see no issue with this either because:

It costs less than $100
The medical certificate is YOURS and not the company’s. If you get your medical certificate and switch jobs in a couple of months, said medical certificate will still apply for your next job.

I realize that some companies might offer this as a “perk”. But if having all of these “perks” comes with lower pay, I’ll get the medical certificate myself.

Just like some companies offer to train you to get your CDL. We all know the flip-side of that one…

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msstatelp@reddit

I do because otherwise they’ll send me to Concentra and I hate those SOBs. They try to scam you into doing every test they can think of…through them of course.

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GogetaSama420@reddit

My company re imburses me for it. If yours doesn’t fuck em

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Ok_Internet_5058@reddit

Real question is why does my insurance not pay for the DoT physical?

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AreYouGoingToEatThat@reddit

I’d say not a red flag, but definitely a yellow flag.

The companies I’ve had that didn’t pay for that were the ones that let me keep the card I came with and not have to renew to hire.

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kaloric@reddit

Your license, your responsibility to renew it and keep things required to keep it active up-to-date, regardless of who you work for. You'd be paying out of pocket to keep your CDL active even if you weren't even driving for a living anymore.

It's definitely a nice plus if your company would pay you for it, but not something I'd expect them to do. It's probably just extremely easy & cheap for some companies to do this for their people if they have crazy discounts with occupational clinics for drug testing & worker's comp stuff.

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Double-Revolution-33@reddit

My company reimburses me up to $100 for mine, they're about $110-$125 in my area

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Tiny_Ear_61@reddit

I won't work for a company that pays for the physical. If they pay, they can choose the clinic. If they choose the clinic, they send me to fucking Concentra.

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Creative_Shame3856@reddit

My understanding is that if the company requires you to use a specific provider then they have to also pay for it, but if you get to choose where you go then they aren't obligated to cover it. Many companies do pay for it either way but as others have said I wouldn't call it a red flag if they don't.

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ldlong2832@reddit

Both

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steveteeg1@reddit

It says right on the form your employer is required to pay for it.

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Squints_a_lot@reddit

My last company paid for a DOT exam upon hire whether or not you needed it. But that was the only one they paid for.

My current company just made a copy of my current card and filed it away. I don’t expect that they’ll pay for it when it comes time to renew.

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milkman819@reddit

I've never paid for a DOT physical. Company has always paid it. I can see both sides of the argument. It's required to drive, like your license. So i can see that argument for you paying it. But it's also required to be on file with the company in your compliance file. So i can see saying the company should pay for it. What you do as far as staying or leaving your carrier is up to you. Seems a bit petty to leave over a physical if that's your only complaint. Or it could be the final straw that broke the camel's back. That decision is ultimately up to you

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thescartographer@reddit

I paid for mine but they paid for my TWIC

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factualfact7@reddit

If they sent me to their own place , they better pay

Other than that , you need your DOT card to keep a CDL (unless you get a k restriction on it) , so I would say it’s on u

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mebigRick@reddit

They pay up to $100 and 2 hrs of pay.

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Cardinal_350@reddit

I wish I could pay for my own and choose my own Doc. They send us to a clinic 40 mes away from the terminal that failed so many people they threatened to stop using them. They would fail you for the tiniest shit

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clairered27@reddit

I've heard of maybe new guys and then if they pass they reimburse them but haven't heard. About something like this I've never had to pay for one.

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hesslake@reddit

I reimburse my drivers. That way they can go to whoever they want

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Fit_Hospital2423@reddit

A lot of these guys make me chuckle. They act like as if this is a big deal statement as to whether their company is a good company to work for or not.

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ooglieguy0211@reddit

Out of my last 3 companies, over the past decade, they have all paid for them with the exception of 1 company reimbursed me for it. They still paid for it ultimately but I paid up front. The last company I worked for reimbursed my license renewal fee for my basic license, since we didn't use any endorsements, I had to pay for those myself so they really paid a significant portion of my renewal too. If I were to quit driving but choose to keep my CDL, which I will when that time comes, I will expect to pay for it myself for compliance and in case I ever need it in the future.

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bobbiew74@reddit

As company driver they pay as owner operator you pay.

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Emotional-Concept-32@reddit

My company literally pays for everything, not for my physical to renew my license tho.

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Deedogg11@reddit

I am a Fleet Manager

We are Corporate

We pay for that without question

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FreeAndRedeemed@reddit

I pay for mine, and my company doesn’t care where I get it. Works for me.

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humpthedog@reddit

I pay just so I don’t have to go to the company quack

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Gonzotrucker1@reddit

I would gladly pay for it if I could use any doctor I want.

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Redsoxdragon@reddit

A lot of companies i worked for will reimburse me if I went to a concentra or something. I'll go to a smaller dr office or chiropractor instead and eat the $80 because I'm not trying to spend 8 hours in a waiting room just to piss in a cup

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truck_it@reddit

Really?

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Salt_Bus2528@reddit

It's your license, it's your physical. The company paying for it is expected but not required.

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joeyggg@reddit

It’s your license you pay for it whether you’re employed or not. If it’s part of your work agreement, that’s an alright perk I guess. If the job pays well, I wouldn’t worry about it.

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Rhetoric9119@reddit

Company pays and only to Concentra. Them bastards think they know better than actual sleep doctors. If you can pay for your own, do it.

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HaphazardFlitBipper@reddit

Company pays for mine.

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Express-Society-164@reddit

Company always paid for me.

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StolenRage@reddit

I will go to my preferred doctor and pay for it myself. If my employer doesn't like it, they can kiss my big fat fish belly white ass.

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Ton_in_the_Sun@reddit

Work local. Company dime for everything.

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Defiant_Network_3069@reddit

I get reimbursed for my DOT Physical since I don't live by the medical office they use.

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Jmglasell@reddit

My previous employer both paid for the time and the cost. Current employer does neither, except for a couple of us.

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OldBrokeGrouch@reddit

I’ve worked for companies that make you pay and those that don’t. It hasn’t really ever been a reflection on their work culture.

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KookyPension@reddit

I don’t pay it for my guys but I probably would if they asked. It’s quite cheap where I live though. 100 Canadian so like 30 freedom bucks

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bassnote1@reddit

Thirty plus years of driving and I've never paid for one.

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cleanc3r3alkillr@reddit

I pay for it but they reimburse me, it frees us up to be able to use whatever clinic we like better instead of just the one they have an account with. We use the company car to go to the clinic and log it on duty but we don’t get any pay for it.

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NectarineAny4897@reddit

I pay for my own, but I am a seasonal employee for two different companies besides owning my own plow truck/business (no cdl needed for that).

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Choice_Pop3111@reddit

OP, Go ahead and pay it and go to the DOT Physical Doctor you trust and Just Write it off in your taxes as a deduction

many drivers wish they could do exactly what you are able too...

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12InchPickle@reddit

I pay for it myself as I go to a specific place. When my employer offers they want us going to one of their spots and a few of our guys have gotten put on sleep apnea going there.

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lobo2r2dtu@reddit

You are not obliged to pay yourself. As a matter of fact, it's the companies duty. Unless you are being considered 1099 than ots on you.

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Ornery_Ads@reddit

Legally they aren't required to. Many places do anyway, but they don't have to.

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EasyGoin12345@reddit

The benefits are that you have control over your career. If they pay for it they are able to access your health records/history of the exam. If you pay for it they get access to your passed medical card and that’s it.

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Itchy_Psychology6678@reddit

listen up……

It sucks and it’s stupid, BUT you will have to pay for it. Just another step to save them $100 per driver. The smaller clinics usually give out 2 years physicals

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