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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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My husband just went in for his physical to renew his CDL… he is in great health and passed his physical except for the breathing portion. He is a smoker and had a cough for a couple of weeks…. he followed up with his primary doctor and was placed on antibiotics and received a steroid shot. He is feeling fine and no longer coughing, however when he went back, he failed the breathing portion for a second time. How many times is he allowed to repeat this test? We are trying to get him into a pulmonologist…. or can he go back to his primary doctor and get a release from them if he is well. I called and they do the PST? Please advise. Thank you
@Karen
If his primary doctor finds that your hubby can pass the breathing test in his office, then he can fill out a medical release form and take it back to the CME. That should satisfy the CME.
My husband just went in for his dot/cdl physical in NY state. The Doctor said he looks great, super healthy but because he is a smoker is requiring a lung test. He has no issues and the dr wasn’t concerned about any health issues. Is this a normal requirement now if you’re a smoker?
@Jenna
Only if the CME wants to do the test. If there were no other issues, then he may be over-reading the guidelines. You can question the CME opinion and if there is no good reasoning for wanting the test, then ask him to change his opinion.
I was just in the er this last week. I had asthma attacks and had to be put on a breathing treatment for an hour an a half. I’m on antibiotics and also steroids along with allergy medicine. I gave a nebulizer and have to use it every 6 hours. I have my medical card already. But my question is that, what are the rules and regulations on using breathing treatments such as a nebulizer?
@John
As long as you can keep your condition under full control, then the FMCSA guidelines for fit for duty are met. But make sure that you have an emergency inhaler available at all times. You may be subject to a pulmonary evaluation considering you have an active asthma condition. Remember it’s about safety for you and the public at large around you. So the CME may request the study. Also make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor stating that your condition is under control.
Thank you so much.
my husband was diagnosed with septic pulmonary embolism 2 weeks ago and cleared by his primary doctor on Friday (11/20/15) he went into work in Oregon today and they sent him to the company Doctor who said he is unable to be cleared for 3 months.. He had all the paperwork from his regular doctor as well as a pulmonary specialist that said he was OK. The DOT doctor said its in the regulations. Can you tell me what regulation and what forms are needed to fight this? thanks
@Kym
Page 108 of the FMCSA guidelines recommends a 3 months wait following an embolism. Even though your primary doctors have released him, FMCSA feels that the three month wait is necessity, due to safety issues.
Can a School bus driver be disqualified from driving if they have frequent anxiety attacks?
@ Bobbie
Are these attacks being treated or not? not much to go on here and the safety of the children is the main issue at this point.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Im in stage 2 and taking no medication. My lymph nodes are enlarged and my doctor says I’m in the watching stage. Wil this illness cause me to fail the dot physical
@Greg
This is an ongoing progressive condition and should be watched very closely. A lot will depend on what your oncologist has say about the rate of progression. Start with a medical release form from your oncologist. And be honest with yourself as to whether you feel that you could be classed as medically fit for duty to perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle operator.
Hi
My husband went for his DOT physical and the doctor measured his neck and it was all down hill from there. He just had his thyroid removed June 2nd 2015 so his neck could still be swollen.
She would not let him answer any of her questions she asked him she answered herself and just kept saying oh I know the answer. His neck measured 19 inches and she said you need a sleep study done, a stress test test done and yelled at him because his doctor had him on potassium medicine and that produced protein in his urine. So she is only extending his medical card for 3 moths and all these test must be completed. She never even asked him he he has trouble breathing or anything. Never gave him a chance to talk. Is all this necessary for a medical card?
Can I still get a medical card with a 9.2 A1C level
@Mark
Your A1C levels are too high. You will have to bring those levels down before you will pass the DOT medical certification process.