Medical!

[l0c0m0t1ve]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this has already been asked - I'm sure there isn't much that hasn't been asked before

For those who have been to a medical for trainee driver - I was just wondering what the medical actually involves.

I'm fairly fit and I don't smoke/drink/do drugs - yet I can't help but feel slightly nervous.

 

[Mumbo]

It's a breeze and you have nothing to worry about.

Blood pressure check, alcohol breathalyser, pee in a pot, vision test, hearing test, ecg scan and then a chat with a doctor. The dr i saw made me do a few basic tests like balance, coordination and strength (he made me squeeze his hand - wanted to make sure I could pull myself up to the carriage).

I would say the only thing you need to worry about is peeing on command, drink plenty of water on your way up there

And remember to relax as you dont want to upset your blood pressure readings!

 

[30 common]

It's a breeze and you have nothing to worry about........

.......I would say the only thing you need to worry about is peeing on command, drink plenty of water on your way up there

And remember to relax as you dont want to upset your blood pressure readings!

It is a walk in the park but yes peeing on demand is tricky with someone standing behind you. And yes relax my Dr had 3 attempts to get my blood pressure as I was nervous and it was high.

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

Cheers guys! I thought as much, I was just wondering if there was something I didn't consider lol

 

[dazjam]

With regards to the medical how strict are they on the BMI I am on a strict diet and losing weight but I've read it shouldn't be above 33 mine is currently 33.2 will this stop me from getting the job of trainee driver, thanks

 

[Cheggers]

When I had my medical the nurse said they have been told only to tell the TOC if your BMI is over 33.

 

[col68]

im more concerned with the blood pressure mine is slightly high

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

im more concerned with the blood pressure mine is slightly high

This was the sort of thing I was concerned about in the sense that I don't know what mine is.

 

[leaffall]

im more concerned with the blood pressure mine is slightly high

Are you on medication? Have you actually been diagnosed with high blood pressure? How old are you?

My blood pressure was 158/96 on the day and I passed. It's not normally that high, but I was nervous too

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

Are you on medication? Have you actually been diagnosed with high blood pressure? How old are you?

My blood pressure was 158/96 on the day and I passed. It's not normally that high, but I was nervous too

I wonder how much they take nerves into account

 

[train_spotter]

Will you fail the medical if you find out you need to wear glasses?

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

Will you fail the medical if the find out you need to wear glasses?

No. In the email I got about the medical, it says if you wear glasses or contacts to take them along with you.

 

[leaffall]

Will you fail the medical if the find out you need to wear glasses?

Absolutely not. They will ask if you wear glasses, and if so just put them on, unless it's for reading and in that case you shouldn't need them for the eye test.
When you're working you'll be required to have spare pair with you, in case you break or lose or sit on the ones you use for driving

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

No. In the email I got about the medical, it says if you wear glasses or contacts to take them along with you.

Or did you mean if you don't currently have glasses and then you fail the eye test?

 

[Latecomer]

The 33.2 BMI will be fine provided there are no major concerns otherwise. I would also recommend that anyone go for an eye test before the medical if you have not had one in the past year or so. Far better to find out you need glasses beforehand and bring them with you if you do.

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

I would also recommend that anyone go for an eye test before the medical if you have not had one in the past year or so. Far better to find out you need glasses beforehand and bring them with you if you do.

That's what I had to do when I applied for a driving job before. I didn't even think about the eye test until they mentioned it!

 

[col68]

Are you on medication? Have you actually been diagnosed with high blood pressure? How old are you?

My blood pressure was 158/96 on the day and I passed. It's not normally that high, but I was nervous too

not on any medication just had a medical for work and it was a little high the nurse said...... not as high as yours though 148 /90

 

[scotraildriver]

My blood pressure is always about 125/86. Went for a medical and it was 159/112!!!!!!! Had to go to a chill out room for an hour then it was ok! Apparently anxiety can cause spectacular spikes so try to be calm!

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

My blood pressure is always about 125/86. Went for a medical and it was 159/112!!!!!!! Had to go to a chill out room for an hour then it was ok! Apparently anxiety can cause spectacular spikes so try to be calm!

Wow! At least they gave you a chance to go and calm down.

My girlfriend just checked my blood pressure and its 120/70. I bet it will be much higher on the day

 

[doughface]

Deleted

 

[Chamber]

Just had my medical. All went well. Had hearing test first, then wee into a cup alongside a breath test. Had blood pressure, ecg and all was good. The. Back into reception to wait for the doctor. He did the normal stuff like touch your nose with eyes closed,squeeze his had,walk on toes. Once he's happy he will fill out a form that deems you fit.
As expected I'll be wearing glasses to drive as I do in a car. Couple days for the wee test which is likely early next week due to the weekend.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Does anyone know how long it tales gtr to get back and when they would send contracts out?

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

Just had my medical. All went well. Had hearing test first, then wee into a cup alongside a breath test. Had blood pressure, ecg and all was good. The. Back into reception to wait for the doctor. He did the normal stuff like touch your nose with eyes closed,squeeze his had,walk on toes. Once he's happy he will fill out a form that deems you fit.
As expected I'll be wearing glasses to drive as I do in a car. Couple days for the wee test which is likely early next week due to the weekend.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Does anyone know how long it tales gtr to get back and when they would send contracts out?

aha! I was just going to ask about this! At least you know he deems you fit straight away and obviously if you know you have nothing in your system that you shouldn't then the wee test is nothing to worry about.

Did he ask you if you washed your hands after peeing in the pot before he let you squeeze his?

 

[Chamber]

aha! I was just going to ask about this! At least you know he deems you fit straight away and obviously if you know you have nothing in your system that you shouldn't then the wee test is nothing to worry about.

Did he ask you if you washed your hands after peeing in the pot before he let you squeeze his?

Haha na. It was done during the first part with a nurse. They give you a pot to part way fill, they'll ask you to empty all pockets and you pee in a a private cubicle so no one watching over your shoulder. The main bit I worried about was glasses but it was fine. At this point is seems like your just dotting your i's and crossing your t's.
Can't wait til gtr contact back. Oh and no salty food or coffee for the blood pressure check.

 

[train_spotter]

Haha na. It was done during the first part with a nurse. They give you a pot to part way fill, they'll ask you to empty all pockets and you pee in a a private cubicle so no one watching over your shoulder. The main bit I worried about was glasses but it was fine. At this point is seems like your just dotting your i's and crossing your t's.
Can't wait til gtr contact back. Oh and no salty food or coffee for the blood pressure check.

Hi, Is the eye examination similar to an eye test you would have at the opticians?

 

[l0c0m0t1ve]

Haha na. It was done during the first part with a nurse. They give you a pot to part way fill, they'll ask you to empty all pockets and you pee in a a private cubicle so no one watching over your shoulder. The main bit I worried about was glasses but it was fine. At this point is seems like your just dotting your i's and crossing your t's.
Can't wait til gtr contact back. Oh and no salty food or coffee for the blood pressure check.

Aha! I see. I also wear glasses for driving so good to hear it was okay.

Cheers for the tip about the salt and coffee

 

[WeGoAgain]

Hi, Is the eye examination similar to an eye test you would have at the opticians?

Yep.

There's also a sample of text to read which is in small print. (At least in my experience).

Oh, and a colour blindness test.

 

[Chamber]

Hi, Is the eye examination similar to an eye test you would have at the opticians?

Yep, exactly same scale, large letter, right down to bottom row for 20/20 vision. You do each eye without, then each with glasses if you wear them. A near sighted reading test(I don't use glasses for reading so only one for that), then a med range test measured out to 75cm, and try to read as small as you can. The nurse was very patient so you can read at your own pace if trying to read the absolute smallest you can.
Finally a colour vision test (if your vision is fine, theres a couple in there you wont be able to read, Unless.. you are colour blind, so don't panic mid way through that you cant read two of them.

I had a re-precept for my specs, bought a 2nd pair as it will be the requirement to carry a 2nd set at all times working. I got them to do my colour test too which was all good so it put my mind at ease.

 

[coolcoolcool]

I've got two rectangle bald spots on my chest as well! I'm sure he shaved more than he needed to!

Fully fit though

Simples

 

[Chamber]

I've got two rectangle bald spots on my chest as well! I'm sure he shaved more than he needed to!

Fully fit though

Simples

did you have your medical today also?

 

[coolcoolcool]

Nah I had it Wednesday