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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 stage 3 COPD by my Dr. My number was 36. Just wanted to know if this will affect my medical card. Thanks
@ Michael
Your COPD is going to raise questions, so be prepared to provide supporting documentation and a medical release form from your doctors.
Surprised they don’t have yo on Oxygen with numbers that low. Mine are 39
Less than 30 the put you on lung transplant list.
Hello, I have sleep Apnea and a CPAP machine. I’ve been off the road for 5 years now, I wish to drive locally. I have a Class A. I also wear hearing aids as well. Is there any hope for a guy like me?
@ Darryl B
Plenty of hope for you.
I have Had to renew My CDL Class B the last two years Last year was the first time I had to be checked out for sleep Apnea. I went along with the Dr appointment then to the Special list who gave me a Take home test to do cause my insurance. I passed the test. Now this year i have to go back through all this mess again because a Substitute Dr filling in measured my neck which was the same size as last year “18 inches” the only difference is I gained weight, instead of losing. from this time last year. If i passed it once why am i being forced into to doing it again? this is a lot of money coming from a single fathers pocket cause my insurance wont cover it all. any help is welcomed
@ Adam L
If you had a sleep study done just last year, then you should not have to re-do the whole sleep thing again. Also, you are a class B driver being held as a class A examination?
O have not been driving since january my wife was in a car accident so I’ve been taking care of her had to get a linecook job my question is that my medical card expires 08/09/2018 and I have not been using my cpap machine since I’ve been off the road for six months
What to do since I have no report for my cpap machine
@ Natheil C
The examiner is going to need a 30 day readout, so the best you can do is start using the machine asap and hold on getting the new medical card examination until you can provide the needed documentation.
If a driver has a condition that requires a PICC line connected to a pump, is he still allowed to keep his CDL and drive bus?
@ Carol
School bus, tour bus, nursing home bus, would all fall under the states variances and your best answer will come from them.
Hi my friend was diagnosed with lung cancer he has completed chemo and the mass is reduced by more than half. He has no respiratory issues at all. It was just noted on a chest X-ray.
Can he still drive a commercial truck
@ Martin
If he can pass the DOT medical certification examination and supplies the CME with the proper medical release and documentation, then he should be good to go.
Pass as far as what test? Or examination ? Pulmonary function test??????
@ Martin
The DOT medical certification for commercial drivers. He may also be required to provide a copy of his last pulmonary function test.
I have coppel tunnel on both of my hands I just can put them flat down but have plenty of strength in them is this a problem for a dot phycical
@Jerry
It becomes more of an issue when you start losing feeling in your hands. Numb hands on the wheel do not give you good feedback as to what else may be happening with the vehicle. Outside the DOT you may want to find a doctor that does ART (active release technique) in your area to determine if they can help with your situation.
I am 39 years old with Hypothyroidism as my only health history in which I go to my family doctor every 6 months for a prescription and to monitor blood work. I am over all very healthy and fit. I went in for a medical exam yesterday they would not pass me because they said my urine showed a urinary tract infection went back today no sign of UTI, but now say since I am a smoker over 35 I have to pay out of pocket to have a lung capacity test. I have never had breathing problems of any kind. Is this really something I have to have done?
@ Jen
It is a recommendation from the FMCSA, but should have some supporting evidence before making that request. Go get a second opinion from another DOT examiner.