Staying healthy on the road

What does the commercial driver medical exam check?

Every province requires a medical exam before you can be licensed to drive a Class 1/AZ vehicle, usually performed by a physician or nurse practitioner and repeated on a set schedule (more frequently as you get older). The exam typically checks vision, hearing, blood pressure, and screens for conditions -- like uncontrolled sleep apnea, uncontrolled diabetes, seizure disorders, or certain heart and vision conditions -- that could affect safe driving. A flagged condition doesn't automatically end a career; many drivers get recertified once a condition is documented as managed by their doctor.

Sitting all day is the core problem

Long-haul driving means long stretches sitting still, which is linked to higher rates of back pain, cardiovascular issues, and weight gain across the industry compared with more active occupations. Using mandatory rest breaks to walk, stretch, or do a short bodyweight routine, rather than staying in the cab the whole break, is one of the few habits fully within a driver's control.

Sleep and fatigue

Irregular schedules -- especially night driving, team driving, or rotating shifts -- make consistent sleep harder, and long-haul driving is widely reported to carry an elevated risk of sleep apnea. Since fatigue is also a direct safety risk behind the wheel, treating sleep as a non-negotiable part of the job (not something to sacrifice for extra miles) protects both your health and your licence.

Eating on the road

Truck-stop and fast-food options are often the easiest choice but not the healthiest one over months and years on the road. A cooler, a small fridge or inverter, and planning ahead for grocery stops make it realistic to eat better without needing a sit-down restaurant every meal.