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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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A few years ago I carried an oxygen concentrator with me into a DMV center to renew my driver’s license. At no time did I use it while I was there. I am prescribed oxygen at night only, and see my doctor regularly, and he tests and treats me for COPD.
A clerk who handled my paperwork for renewal reported that I had the concentrator, and must have known it wasn’t in use, refused to renew my license if I didn’t have my doctor fill out all the medical forms. This has been going on for several years. Each time my doctor indicates I am not impaired, and that I only require oxygen at night. I feel targeted, but don’t know how to resolve this.
@ Curious1
Your cdl is state issued and not federal. You would need to go higher up in the ranks of the drivers license department. Start with a supervisor and go up from there. Someone needs to take a serious look at this situation.
I had a upper left lobectomy done 7 years ago due to a rare cancer that was slow growing that i never knew i had. I found all this out through the er and was admitted to the hospital They removed my left upper lobe and I have never had any issues since then. I also have never seen a cancer doctor in my life I do not have to see a lung doctor at all anymore and have not in over 4 years. I have no breathing issues my O2 levels are always 99 to 100% I have never been on o2. Will I have any issues with this at all. When you listen to my lungs you can tell i do not have that lobe there anymore and i always have to tell anyone who is listening what happened and never had any issues. I have continued to work a physical demanding job over the years without any issues. Will I have a problem with this.
@ ReneeS
It may raise a few questions with the CME, but with a medical release form and some supporting medical documentation, you should be fine, if all else is within normal limits.
What level of reduced oxygen % saturation does TxDOT consider to be unsafe for a person to drive?
@ Barry
DOT/FMCSA has one set of saturations numbers for a class A driver and Texas may have another set if you are not a class A license holder. If your question is for Texas, then talk with your local drivers license department and ask what their guidelines and variances are.
I have pulmonary hypertension. Can I get a dot card
@ Matthew D
It ay be possible, but will require medical documentation for the medical examiner to make his final decision.
My husband is an over the road trucker, he recently started having asthma attacks ( newly diagnosis). He is going through the steps to get them under control. If he gets put on a nebuliser and truly has asthma will he be able to continue to drive?
@ April
When he is released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, he will need a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination. The CME will need supporting medical documentation that the meds he’s on have been shown to be adequate, effective and stable. Meaning he has been on these medications long enough to rule out any unknown side effects. If all goes well, he will be able to return to driving and will need to carry a nebulizer with him at all time while driving.
Question what is a passing PFT number that disqualifys you from driving
@ Merry McC
Most drivers with COPD have a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The CME will not certify the driver until etiology is confirmed and treatment has been shown to be adequate/effective, safe, and stable. So it is not about the numbers, but more about the ability to perform the duties of a CMV operator.
Can I drive a city bus with portable oxygen tank? I have copd?
@ Jeff
You will need to check with your local drivers license department for the correct answer to your question. A lot will depend on the class of your drivers license and the states variances and regulations.
I’ve got a neuromuscular disability of a very slowly progressive nature. I have reduced pulmonary function as evidenced by 2 sets of tests over the past 18 months. Compared to my prime, it is perhaps 25% volume. Non-smoker, never smoked. Oxygen level in blood is always 96-98%, even with a chemical stress test or moderate physical activity such as climbing 40 stairs (on crutches). Obstructive sleep apnea but no problems with oxygen on CO2 levels. In process of jumping through insurance hoops to get a CPAP/BiPAP/VAPAP. Have driven passenger vehicle interstate on personal road trips in hot, humid weather without A/C, without issue. I somehow feel my chances would remain low. Is there a way to get an exam just to assess if I would have a chance to pass or guidance on areas in need of improvement? This would be a helpful first step before investing in any training.
@ Davos
You can check with any DOT certified examiner and explain your wishes. There should not be an issue. Just make sure they understand your position and wishes before going any further into the examination process.