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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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When a DOT driver is tested and it also includes a respirator test – is the respirator test good for the two years like the DOT or only one year?
Thank you.
@Dale
In most cases test results are good for two years, unless the examiner is seeing other signs that would warrant additional testing.
I recently had my card renewed. And the examiner told me that because I was 55and had smoked that I was required to take a pulmonary test .Is this a requirement? I was told I would have to take it before he even listened to my lungs. Was everything done according to fmcsa regulations ?Or did I have to pay 80 dollars for b.s.?
@Mike
This test is a guideline recommendation, but not a regulation. Not sure why they would have required this test, unless there was good reason to do so.
If I have cancer & I am taking keemo treatments can I still pass my DOT physical ?
@Harvey
At present you are not medically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Once your treatment is complete and you are ready to return to driving then you will go through the CME medical examination to make the final determination.
dot says i need a pulmonary test,my doctor says i dont need one can i get a x-ray to pass to drive a min school bus,i have been driving for a year now.
@Pam
Have your doctor fill out a medical release form stating that his examination supports a no-need for testing opinion.
The CME is trying to cover his behind because he was taught that certain folks “have to have” certain tests.
Everyone is looking for safety and trying to support their opinions.
I have Cystic Finrosis but my fev1 is 86% can I pass the dot and will they allow me to do my breathing percussion treatments on the truck while not driving?
@Ty
Any CME is going to have a lot of questions with this condition.
It is not a disqualifier, but there are safety concerns.
Get your medical doctor to complete your medical release form explaining your situation and you should be OK.
Also check with the company that you are going to be driving for. They may have some safety concerns too.
My husband operates a public transit bus in California. He has just been diagnosed with emphysema (early stage) and he is coming up on time to renew his medical card. Does this disqualify him? If not, what does he need to renew his medical card?
@Theresa
Have his primary doctor complete a medical release form for him.
Then make sure he takes that form with him to his next DOT physical. That should answer any questions that the CME will have. Good Luck
is it required to got a new physical becases you have a small hurnia repaired?per dot.
@ Leroy
If the hernia repair took the driver out from behind the wheel for any reason, then he must have a new DOT physical to resume driving.
I have copd my blood oxygen level runs about 95 to 98 will I still pass a physical?
@ leroy
You should not have any issues as long as the condition is under control and not progressing.
There may be further testing required if you are demonstrating other pulmonary issues.