Skip to Content
Find a Job

Physical Requirements of the Job.​

As regulated by the Department of Transportation and other government agencies, truck drivers must be able to perform the following to prove adequate health and fitness:

 
  • Pass a Department of Transportation physical and drug test.
  • Be able to walk 20 minutes a day without exertion.
  • Enter and exit equipment by stepping and kneeling.
  • Lift 40 lbs. from your waist to your shoulders.
  • Lift 30 lbs. from the floor to your head.
  • Crouch and squat for pre- and post-trip inspections.
  • Push 80 lbs. and pull 100 lbs. horizontally.
  • Repeat the actions shown in the exercise videos below.
Apply Now
 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Overview

  


The role of Heavy Duty truck driver is regulated by the Department of Transportation and other government agencies. There is a medical evaluation process conducted by a certified medical examiner to assess your physical qualifications to include drug testing. This video explains how you need to be relatively fit and capable of some physical activity to be a truck driver.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Crouch

  
 


Crouching is an important part of a truck driver’s job. You’ll need to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the truck and trailer. Practice crouching at home.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Step/Step - Kneel/Kneel

  
 


As a truck driver, you’ll need to be able to get into and on the equipment. You’ll step up and down from your truck and trailer multiples each day. Practice stepping and kneeling up and down to ensure you can do perform those actions.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Squats

  
 


Truck drivers use the motions associated with squatting when performing repeated clutching, stepping up to and down from the truck and trailer and when conducting pre-trip and post trip inspections. Practice squatting at home.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Floor to Head Lift

  
 


The floor to head lift is how truck drivers put their personal gear into the truck. You’ll need to be able to lift 30 pounds from the floor to above your head. Practice the Floor to Head lift at home.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Waist to Shoulder Lift

  
 


As a truck driver, you will need to raise the hood of the truck. You may also need to load or unload freight. Practice lifting 40 pounds from your waist to your shoulder.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Horizontal Pull

  
 


Truck drivers use a horizontal pull to open and close trailer doors, crank the dollies, close and lower the hood as well as pulling the 5th wheel, sliding the tandem and utilizing a pallet jack. Practice a horizontal pull of a hundred pounds at home.

 

Video: Physical Requirements of the Truck Driver Job: Horizontal Push

  
 


Similar to the horizontal pull, the horizontal push is used by truck drivers to open and close the trailer doors, cranking the dollies and utilizing a pallet jack. Practice pushing 80 pounds horizontally at home.