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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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I have a spinal cord stimulator implant in my back that has wires in my spinal cord I have four discs in my neck fused together and four discs in my back fused together I have a medical card stating I do not have to wear a seatbelt do I have to wear one in my semi truck if my. Doctor and my family doctor say I don’t have to wear one
@ John
Probably not, just make sure you have a copy of the notes from your doctors.
I went for DOT physical, to get my CDL A for a new job and was told everything is good but said I needed to get a doctor to sign off on my injured left hand. I was in an accident in Nov 20 and shattered my left hand and broke my arm. I mentioned to the dr that it would sometimes get numb for a short time. I cannot find a dr to sign off on my form and my surgeon doesnt have any availablility until After Im supposed to start my new job. Can I go for another physical and not say that my hand used to go numb?
@ billie
If the hand is fully healed and you have been released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, then yes you can get a second opinion.
I hold a class A CDL. It expired and I needed to get it renewed. I was pulled off a porch by a dog 4 weeks ago and fractured two lower ribs. The Dr said he won’t pass me because of my rib. Stating it could puncher my lung if it got bump or hit with the seat belt. I feel he is being ridiculous, and because it is lower ribs puncturing my lung is almost impossible (I don’t have a medical background, I know anatomy specifically lungs, I was a respiratory tech) I can find nothing that says a broken rib disqualifies me. I will get with my regular PCP ASAP, but now I have to wait to start this job, because of him! I already quit my other job. I gave my 2 weeks and finished them out!!!! I’m a 60 year old woman, lifted 75 lbs the same day he did the physical, with no pain. I have no limitations and in pretty good shape for my age. What are your thoughts?
@ Wendy
When you see your PCP have him write a release to return to work slip, without restrictions or limitations, and go retake your medical examination somewhere else.
Hello I am wondering if walking with the help of a walker will disqualify me from passing my physical?
@ Vincente J F
All depends on your class of drivers license. Class A, you will not be qualified. Other class’s fall under the states guidelines and regulations, so you would need to confirm with your state.
My coworker got his medical card for only 3 months. He doesn’t have any of the DMV medical restrictions especially Diabetes or High Blood Pressure. The doc in the box doctor said “You are too fat”. My coworker is 43 yrs old. We’ve both worked for a city here in California for 23 years and carry a class A license. He is a little heavier than me, I weigh 175lbs. I never heard of such a thing. Is that right or legal? If not, what recourse does my coworker have? He’s never had any accidents and has a clean record.
@ Ray
Have your coworker go else where for his DOT medical examination. Seems that a lot of the ‘doc in a box’ facilities have a conflict of interest and are in bed with sleep study groups.
They can give a 3 month physical solely based on a driver’s BMI being 40 or above. The purpose of the 3 month physical at this point would be for the driver to have a sleep study done. A DOT physician can request a sleep study be perform based on BMI alone and driver does not have to meet any other requirement for this to be requested if said driver has a BMI of 40 or above. There’s probably more to this situation than what’s been disclosed so it’s hard to give 100% guidance without full disclosure from the driver.
@ Jennifer S J
There is no set guidelines in the DOT/FMCSA regarding BMI of 40 as the sole reasoning for a sleep study. OSA should provide a multitude of signs and symptoms before a sleep study is requested. Get a second opinion somewhere else.
If they are required to get a sleep study done, don’t waste your time doing the at home study. If that study shows you to have sleep apnea of any level, they will require an in lab study. The in lab study sucks.
@ Woo
As far as DOT/FMCSA, an at home sleep study isn’t accepted as a final saying. If you have no issues with daytime sleepiness or difficulty staying awake, then we suggest a second opinion somewhere else.
I have been on SSDI for the last ten years. I have a spinal fixation device, a complete replacement Lt knee. I suffer chronic pain but is usually treatable with Naproxen. I have been released from SSDI as no longer disabled. But it comes with restrictions. Does that disqualify me from a medical card?
Well I guess I will have to get my Dr. To sign a release with out restrictions. An go from there.
@ Anthony B
A lot will depend on the class drivers license you are shooting for. Class A, you will have hoops to go through. Lower class cdl, is state issued and may be easier for you to qualify.
@ Anthony B
Answered your question above.
I also have crps and had it turn off thanks to surgery anesthesia for something else. Foot is structurally fine. Did you get your answer? How did everything go.
I was on an accident at work in 2011. I was run over from both my feet to pelvis. The only bone that was broken was my pelvis and was repaired. Will this prevent me from obtaining a CDL for OTR?
@ Jeanne
If you have no restrictions or limitations and you can perform the duties of a CMV operator, you should do fine.
Does peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease constitute a disqualifying disease for a CDL medical card
@ John B
These conditions will raise questions with any CME. They will be asking for supporting medical documentation and medical releases from your treating physicians, but it is not an automatic disqualification.