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Q&A
Can a driver with lung disease get a DOT medical card?
Is the use of oxygen therapy a disqualifier?
Can I still drive if I have a blood clot in the lung?
I had lung surgery and a lobectomy a few years ago . Will this fail me on a DOT physical?
What does neck size, weight, and BMI have to do with the DOT physical exam?
What does snoring have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Can a driver with lung disease get a DOT medical card?
The medical examiner will evaluate your condition to determine how the lung disease may affect your ability to safely drive and perform other duties of a commercial driver. If you don’t have a medical opinion letter from a treating physician, you may need to go for a chest x-ray or pulmonary function tests before the medical examiner can consider certification.
Is the use of oxygen therapy a disqualifier?
Most likely, yes, oxygen therapy while driving is a disqualifier. The reasons are twofold: 1. Malfunction of the oxygen equipment. 2. Progression of the disease may be debilitating. You may be considered if you can pass a pulmonary function test.
I was recently diagnosed with COPD from exhaust leak in my semi. Can I lose my CDL because of this diagnosis?
The diagnosis of COPD is not, by itself a disqualifier for your cdl. It will/may have an effect while doing your medical examination and certification. Your best bet is to take any and all notation from your primary lung doctor with you when you re-do your medical exam and certificate. The examiner just needs to make sure your are fit to return to work without being a risk to yourself or the public at large.
Can I still drive if I have a blood clot in the lung?
With the blood clot in the lung, you want to make sure you bring a note from you pulmonary specialist stating you are good to go. The medical examiner will need a copy for your file when he does the exam.
I had lung surgery and a lobectomy a few years ago . Will this fail me on a DOT physical?
In and of itself, the lobectomy should not be an issue. But what was the reasoning behind the surgery? Your examiner will have other questions regarding the surgery and what its long term effects are, as well as, how it affects your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
What does neck size, weight, and BMI have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Neck size, weight, and BMI are all just indicators that the medical examiner looks at to determine if you may have a condition that would impact your ability to safely drive a commercial vehicle now or for the period for which the medical card may be issued. There are currently no set specifics on these measurements in the DOT regulations. However, companies may set their own policies and have their own standards for these indicators, which may disqualify you to drive for that particular company.
What does snoring have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Snoring, in combination with obesity, can be highly predictive of obstructive sleep apnea risk. That said, even the loudest of snorers may not have a breathing obstruction. The sign that is most suggestive of sleep apnea occurs when snoring stops. If both snoring and breathing stop while the person’s chest and body try to breathe, that is literally a description of an event called an ‘apnea’. When breathing starts again, there is typically a deep gasp and then the resumption of snoring.
For the DOT physical exam the medical examiner evaluates your overall physical condition and health history to determine if there are signs of a medical condition that may affect your ability to safely drive a CMV. If the medical examiner has reasonable suspicion that you have sleep apnea you may have to go for an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram before you can be further considered for certification.
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Your comments are also welcome.
I had a spontaneous pneumothorax in may of 2024 and I am considering a career in truck driving. I was reading the handbook to get my cdl permit and I came across meeting the qualification of no respiratory dysfunction. when I google it AI says a Pneumothorax is considered a respiratory dysfunction and would disqualify you. I had a minimally evasive surgery to fix it and the pulmonary Dr. said that it would be fixed in a way that would never happen again. I would like verification on if this would be an immediate DQ?
@ Ryan
Not an instant DQ, but it will require some medical documentation from your pulmonary physician indicating correction of the situation. Also a medical release form from your treating physicians.
Went for DOT physical today. Passed everything, but because of ASTHMA , was told I have to go do a PFT/ Pulmonary fitness test. I’m a Intrastate driver only, getting a DOT card
Never in 37 years of Driving, That the doctor has said anything about this test.
Is this PFT test something new?
@ Richard
Nothing new. Just someone’s interpretation of the guide lines. If you feel that this is incorrect, you have the right to get a second opinion, some where else.
What is a oxygen level for DOT physical to pass
@ Ron S
It all depends on which condition you are talking about.
I have been put on supplemental oxygen and my doctor wouldn’t approve a DOT physical. I have mild COPD. I am already retired but am asking if I could still drive intrastate part time. Thankyou.
@ Jim C
Since you want to driver intra-state only, you need to check with your local DLD for their guidelines and regulations. Make sure, when you go for your DOT medical card, that the examiner knows the difference between federal DOT/FMCSA regs and your states regulations. They are different.
I was just told to get a Pulmonary Function Test done because I am a smoker with no breathing issues and I am 48 yrs old. Why am I getting this test done since I don’t have any breathing issues?
@ Robert B
The CME is either being very cautious or he suspect something. It is not a mandatory examination, only a precautionary measure. You could go for a second opinion.
If a person has been diagnosed as having sleep apnea, Is that an automatic denial of medical certification?
@ T S
No.
I have a lung disease called Langerhans Cell Histicytosis, I am on early oxygen therapy. Meaning I don’t need it to be able to breath, it just assist my breathing. I have two portable oxygen concentrators in case something happens to one I have a spare. Would the disqualify my from getting my CDL license in the state of Virginia?
@ Robert L
Lots will depend on the class cdl you are going for. Check with your local drivers license department (DLD) regarding specific conditions surrounding the cdl process.
If you have mild to moderate arterial sclerosis and mild emphysema with PAD can you pass aDOT physica?
@ Timothy
That will be up to the CME, based on his findings from your physical. He may request additional testing or documentation from your doctors.
I recently was diagnosed Chronic Bronchitis I had a pulmonary test done and the readings were as follows,
FVC is reduced [2.96L(62%)
FEV1is moderately reduced (1.97L (54%)]
FV1/FVC is normal[67%]
I am on 3.5L) of oxygen at night adapted to my cpap @ night is this a disqualifying medical condition?
@ William F
Right on the borderline, will fall to the CME’s decision.
I have been diagnosed with COPD since 2006 and had many physicals. But my last physical I was disqualified for a medical card for my COPD. I was wondering if there was any change in in the regulations for this year?
@ Charles
No major changes in the regulations. This falls to the medical examiners examination findings and interpretation of DOT/FMCSA regulations and guidelines.
I recently had pneumonia My doctor has put me on 2 inhalers every 4 hours , and also scheduled me for a pulmonary test . Can I go back to work with the inhalers and before I take the test
@ James
For a class A cdl, you will need a new medical certification examination before returning to driving.
The CME will have to make his final decision based on the information you will need to provide for him/her.
I did all dot physical test,but the examiner refuse to qualified me, because my breathing test was not enough to use a respirator mast, which they said required by dot, 60% to65%, and ihave only57%. is there a dot code required a %?
@ Elvis H
DOT/FMCSA is recommending 65% or better. The CME may request additional testing from a specialist before granting a medical certification.
I have been diagnosed with restricted lung disease and moderate persistant asthma.Could I still get a medical card?
@ Jim G
It will depend on the extent of the condition and it’s limitations. May require supporting medical documentation.
i have recently been diagnosid with COPD and am on oxygen i know that the bottled oxygen disqualifies me but if i can use a oxygen portable generator can i still pass my DOT phy i know the portable generator is FAA approved thank you .
@ Charles T
It is possible and will require supporting documentation and medical release forms from your doctors. Then it is up to the CME’s evaluation and risk assessment of you and your condition.
Hi. Because of covid I use a tracheostomy to help me breathe. Will this disqualified me.
@ Jose c
It will raise questions and will need supporting medical documentation from your prescribing physician.
My phrenic nerve was severed during heart surgery. Can I get my cdl back? My left lung doesn’t know what to do, so it acts alternate to what my right lung does depending on space in my diaphragm.
@ Ed J
Your question will be best answered by your local DLD. You would have to provide supporting medical documentation and have a medical release before passing your medical certification examination, which is required for a cdl.