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Q&A
I have a hernia. Will this disqualify me from passing a DOT physical?
What if I have a limb impairment? Am I disqualified?
I have a hernia. Will this disqualify me from passing a DOT physical?
If the hernia does not interfere with your operation of a commercial motor vehicle, then there is no problem.
If you have pain and are limited in some way, then you should take care of the problem before it does become a serious problem.
I had hernia surgery three years ago. There is some scar tissue which causes a little discomfort from time to time but in no way renders me unable to perform any tasks. Will this cause me to fail a DOT physical?
During the examination you will be questioned regarding the hernia surgery. Just let the medical examiner know how this effects you and whether it interferes with your daily activities. Some companies have restrictions, but this is a company policy not a DOT regulation.
I have a hernia that does not give me any trouble. The doctor I saw for my DOT exam says I have to get it repaired before my next exam. What if my regular doctor says that we can do watchful waiting instead of surgery? What are my rights under the law about this?
The DOT examiner is looking at a progressive condition, but if you will take a note from your primary doctor who has evaluated your condition and understands what you really do for a living, then the DOT examiner should consider your primary doctor’s opinion. However, the final decision to certify you, or not, remains with the medical examiner.
What if I have a limb impairment? Am I disqualified?
It is possible to apply for an exemption. FMCSA has a certificate program for drivers with limb impairments. FMCSA also has a special certification program for drivers with missing limbs. (see FMCSA Skill Performance Evaluation)
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In 2006 I had a bike accident causing a tri mal ankle fracture with non-union. Because of this I was granted disability and have not worked since. I have a strong aversion to opiates so I’ve treated this issue with marijuana (have my medical card). I’m only 40 years old and cannot do this anymore. Would abandoning my medical marijuana card make it possible to obtain my CDL, or does my injury, which has little to no effect on my driving, make it unlikely to get the license/pass the physical? A driver friend of mine told me that I could get licensed and pass the physical, but I would probably not be able to locate employment based on insurance companies refusing to cover me.
I have ulcerative colitis and take generic lialda. Since being on the medication, 10 months, no flares. Is this going to cause an issue when I fill out the form and will it stop me from getting the DOT physical approved?
@ Chris
You may need a medical release form from your prescribing doctor, but otherwise you should be fine.
Question, I am a CDL driver in NH can I drive and pass my DOT requirement if I have (RA)?
@ Ann Marie
If your condition does not interfere with the safe operation and the ability to perform the duties of a cmv operator, then you should be able to pass the DOT medical certification examination. Any restrictions or medication will require a medical release form from your primary doctor.
I have scoliosis but no pain. also I’ve had my aortic root replaced and currently take blood pressure medication due to the surgery but my bp is always at normal range will this cause me to fail the physical
@ Justin
It may cause questions, but should not hold you back. Your bp meds will limit your medical card to one year and you will need a medical release for filled out by your primary doctor, without restrictions, once you are fully recovered snd released to return to work.
I am fully recovered. just will be taking the bp meds for now on just to insure everything stays in normal range even with out taking it my bp is normal it’s just a to make sure
I have not seen anything close to my question forgive me if there is one and I didn’t see it – I got hurt on the job raising the landing gear on my trailer. I had a ruptured disc in my L4 . After surgery im still in pain and now after 3 MRI’s they doctor is saying I have nerve damage and nothing more can be done. He says I will have to take pain meds the rest of my life and thats all that can be done. I also have occasionally, usually at least once a day if not more, numbness from my right knee to my ankle and sometimes it goes across the top of my foot and into my toes. The numbness is not complete numbness but enough to where my leg feels like someone elses leg is attached to my body. The Medication he has me taking is Oxycodone and Gabapentin. – can I still operate a commercial vehicle under these conditions?
@ Ron B
You will not pass a DOT class A medical certification examination to drive interstate. You might want to check with your local drivers license department to determine if you can drive cld intra-state only. Your medications and your condition may be acceptable under your states variances, but not the DOT/FMCSA.
Thank you for that reply, my situation updated today so I thought I would update my question and see if my situation as it is now would prohibit me from operating a commercial vehicle. I had another MRI performed and it shows no new rupture as the third one had showed. The Doc says my body probably absorbed the material. The pain is still there so he ordered a Myelogram/CT scan – I got the results of that today and it shows I have a bone broken between my L4 and L5, sorry I don’t know the technical term of the bone. The doc says the solution is a fusion. Doc says I may still have pain after the surgery and of course I will be stiffer. So with the pain still there plus the injuries to my shoulders and right foot I will need to be on pain meds the rest of my life. Doc says because I have been taking narcotics for so long due to the injuries I will most likely have to remain on them. So, will the fusion result in my not passing? Will the Meds cause me to fail? thank you
@ Ron B
Pain, narcotics, and prolonged injuries don’t present a picture that says you are going to be driving anytime soon. It is highly unlikely that you will pass a DOT medical certification examination. That being said, wait until everything that could be done is done and then ask the question. Good Luck
FMCSA docs state you cannot drive a commercial vehicle if you are currently taking narcotic medications. Other medications that may have a tendancy to cause drowsiness are on a case by case basis and may be waived via a DOT Examiner decision. If you are on narcotic medications and you have an accident that injures or kills someone you could face criminal prosecution despite a doctor saying it is ok to drive. Keep that in mind.
Yes you can still drive, I take those meds and as well as other pain meds and still pass my physical to drive state to state!
My husband has cirrhosis. He is due for his dot physical but would not pass at this time. He is going to be evaluated to be placed on the liver transplant list.
If his medical card lapses will he have to have to start all over to get his CDL, after he receives the liver transplant.
He has had his Class a CDL for over 30 years.
@ Wilma N
You need to talk to the state drivers license department and explain your husbands situation. They should be able to guide you from there.
I have recently been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in my left arm resulting from a surgery to the ulnar nerve. I understand that there is no cure but it can go into remission and possibly result in a reoccurrence of the condition. Would this disqualify me from holding a CDL license?
@ Roger D
CDL license is a state issued item, but your condition will raise some questions with the DOT medical certification examiner. If you can, provide a medical release form from your doctor to the examiner. This will help the examiner understand your situation and allow him/her to make the best possible decision regarding your medical certificate.
I had type 2 diabetes last year but I have got it under control with 2 oral medications but I have lost my pinky toe and half my big toe on my right foot due to the disease this all happened after my privous sign off on my physical. Will I be able to renew my dot card in California
@ Charles
As long as you can still perform the duties of an OTR driver and you have your diabetes under control, you should be fine. Make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor, and if possible, a copy of your last a1c results.