Can you pass a DOT physical with a broke ankle?

[Diggin It]

You could probably reschedule beyond the six weeks, but remember that it may be much longer before you can walk normally and apply any real pressure with that ankle. I hate to say it, but sometimes, ankles never fully heal back to what they were. If it comes to that when you need to take a driving test, making it clear to the examiner that this is for personal/farm use only and you'll never be driving commercially might make a difference.

 

[4570Man]

You have to get a CDL learners permit and wait a minimum of 2 weeks before you can take the drivers test. I don’t think there’s a maximum time limit. The doctor felt pretty confident it would make a full recovery and be able to walk in 6 weeks. I guess the only thing to do is wait and see.

 

[kevinj]

So I’ve been going to get a CDL for a while and I haven’t ever gotten around to it. Well now I have a broken left ankle and can’t walk for 6 weeks. So assuming that’s the only health problem could I pass a DOT physical?

I would say you can't. There is a movement & strength test that I am thinking you cannot do with the ankle issue.

The physical requirements should be uniform all over but I see people get out of trucks that I know could not pass a physical where we go.

It would be best to call the testing place where you will get the physical and ask them.

 

[Morning Wood]

If you are just talking the physical I don’t see why you couldn’t do it. It’s a temporary condition.

 

[fried1765]

Just getting into cab of truck will send warning signal to instructor.

If the OP cannot take the driving test yet why would "getting into the cab" send a "warning signal" to anybody?

 

[some zilch]

i walk with a horrendous/extremely pronounced limp due to an auto accident. i cant kneel, my knee doesnt reflex, one foot points 90* from the other. i tell them ive been doing it my entire life, and they sign the paper

 

[Oldpath05]

Well good grief isn't anyone going to ask how you broke your ankle,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ok I'll ask how'd you break your ankle?

 

[WM75Guy]

My wife does DOT physicals so I ask her. To pass at the time of the exam you have to be physically able to get in and out of the truck, drive, and be able to secure the load. With a recent surgery she would require a release from the surgeon saying you are able to return to work without limitations. Looks like you need to wait for a bit.

 

[4570Man]

There won’t even be a truck on the property so I kinda doubt they’re going to do that. I have a hands free crutch. I couldn’t get the ramps up on my equipment trailer and I couldn’t move the chains and binders very far but if they were already on the deck I probably could chain something down. Being crippled sucks. I won’t be taking the driving test until I can walk. But before I can do that I have to have the physical and about 50 other papers and hold a learners permit for minimum 2 weeks. Then I have to have a straight shift truck with air brakes to drive which I don’t have and that’s posing another problem. I might just drive my topkick and deal with the air brake part later.

 

[WM75Guy]

It is a subjective call by the physician or nurse practitioner doing the exam. It is done in an exam room at the clinic, they won't have you go outside to demonstrate anything.