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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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I was diagnosed with copd. FEV is 49. Arterial blood gas test was 95.7. I have a medical release from my pulmonologist; condition is stable. I am not having any symptoms- no shortness of breath, not using a rescue inhaler. Will this disqualify me from retaining my CDL?
@James
FMCSA is looking for a 65% or better FEV. If you can have your doctor sign off on a medical release form for you and have him explain what his findings reveal, along with a working prognosis, then you have a better chance with the CME. All available information present at the time of the DOT examination is a huge help to the CME to make the best decision.
I recently fell and suffered a partial pneumothorax. My lung reinfloated within 2 days. Does DOT have a length of time I have to wait before I can drive a cmv?
@Tom
Your fall and subsequent injury invalidated your medical card. As soon as you can get a new medical examination and demonstrate fit for duty status to the CME, you are good to go.
I live in Miami but used to drive over the road. I keep up my CDL every 2 yrs. In the past 2 yrs I’ve had 2 very bad asthma attacks, one of which I had to be hospitalized. Now it’s under control, but I can still have a minor attack. Will getting a handicap sticker to park closer to buildings affect my over the road CDL?
@Jacqueline
Not if you can continue to pass the FMCSA guideline requirements for the DOT medical certificate.
I had my lung collapse 8 yrs ago due to smoking. Since then I dont smoke and I’ve had no problems out of it since. Will they fail me because of it.
@Mike
No, but to be ahead of the game have your primary doctor fill out a medical release form for you explaining that you have had no issues with your lungs for many years.
I had my thyroid remove 2 years ago due to cancer. I only use levotyroxine 200 MCG a day to replace my thyroid function. I don’t have any impairment to drive a motor vehicle. Do you now if this would be a problem to obtain my DOT medical card?
@Wilfredo
Just make sure you take a medical release form from your primary physician explaining your situation and medication usage, after that you should be fine.
I was told that a large mass was found in my chest during a cat scan, I have also started to pass out sometimes when I cough, told I had moderate copd. I’m fairly sure my cdl days are over if I understand the law right. As these can have an effect on the safe operation of a commerical vehicle?
@Tim
Correct, you are starting to have issues that will effect safety.
I had lower back surgery in 2010 and now take vicoden daily for cronic back pain and now am going to have a disc in my neck fused will this stop me from getting my medical card I need it both to drive crane and to operate
@Paul
Once the surgeries are complete and you are fully recovered, you want to have a medical release form from your doctors. Have them explain your medication needs and reactions, if any, to the meds. If everything works out you should be in pretty good shape as a crane operator.
I have cope I’m on prescription inhalers and alprazolam .25mg for a touch of anxiety. I passed all other requirements of DOT physical except my blood oxygen level was at 90. I have a oxywatch at home meter I check out at normal (for me) at 90-93. Dr. Failed me for DOT. What is acceptable(passing) level for person with copd? Thank you.
@ D.R.
Considering that normal is 95 to 100, then the CME may be looking for another confirmation from your primary doctor. Try getting a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and situation. If your doctor will sign off and all else is normal, then the CME can and will take all of the available information into consideration regarding your medical certificate.