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Q&A
Is Meniere’s disease a disqualifier?
What if I’ve had surgery for Meniere’s disease?
Does vertigo disqualify me from getting a medical card?
What if I take anti-seisure medication?
Can I pass a DOT physical after having a stroke?
If a driver is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder will they fail the DOT physical?
If I take antidepressants can I still get a DOT medical card?
Is Meniere’s disease a disqualifier?
Yes. Meniere’s disease is disqualifying because it may bring about a severe condition of vertigo and is unpredictable. The risk here is sudden incapacitation.
What if I’ve had surgery for Meniere’s disease?
Still is a disqualifier. The FMCSA is reviewing this in terms of certification.
Does vertigo disqualify me from getting a medical card?
It could. When the medical examiner does his examination, one of the things he is looking for is things that would be unsafe for you as a driver and how it effects your ability to maintain control of a commercial motor vehicle. Part of that examination is to test for virtigo. If he feels the condition is unsafe then he will not pass you. If he feels there is something that can help you maintain, he may make a suggestion for you to follow-up with a specialist.
Drivers who have had one unprovoked seizure by definition do not have epilepsy (2 or more unprovoked seizures). Drivers who are seizure-free and off anticonvulsant medication(s) for at least 5 years after a single unprovoked seizure can be certified. Earlier return to work may be considered for drivers with a normal EEG who have no epileptic-form activity and normal examination by a neurologist specializing in epilepsy. (This answer from the FMCSA website)
What if I take anti-seizure medication?
Right off the bat you would be disqualified as a CMV driver. There is a new federal exemption for seizure and related medications. You will need to check with the FMCSA regarding that particular paperwork.
Medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy is disqualifying. Where a driver can demonstrate that safety would not be diminished by the condition, it is possible to apply for an exemption.
Can I pass a DOT physical after having a stroke?
It depends on many things, including the likelihood of having another stroke. Your best bet is to first go back to your neurologist and have him/her write a medical opinion letter stating:
- When you had the stroke.
- What was the treatment, and how successful was the outcome.
- What is the treatment you are receiving now.
- The doctor’s medical opinion about your readiness to return to work as a driver. Make sure that he/she knows all of your physical daily activities as a commerial driver.
With that information in hand when you go to do your DOT medical examination, then the DOT examiner has all the appropriate information to determine your physical state of fitness to perform the duties of a commercial driver.
If a driver is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder will they fail the DOT physical?
Well, it isn’t that you fail outright, but you will be asked questions regarding the condition:
- What treatment routine has been established.
- How long you’ve been on that routine.
- How are you responding to treatment/medication, etc.
So just prepare for the question line in advance, bring documentation from your treating doctor with you, and you could do just fine.
If I take antidepressants can I still get a DOT medical card?
Well it’s not impossible, but what you will need to do is get a medical opinion letter from your treating physician that states:
- When you were diagnosed with the condition?
- What treatment program does he/she have you on?
- Is the condition stable?
- Does your physician feel you could do the duties of a commercial driver and be safe for yourself and the people/public around you?
Then take that information the DOT physical appointment. It will still be the DOT medical examiner’s decision whether or not to certify you.
I have an anxiety disorder on and off. This raises my BP readings. Can I still pass the DOT physical if I take beta-blockers?
You should talk with your primary healthcare provider to determine whether or not this would interfere with the responsibilities and stress of being a commercial motor vehicle operator. If your doctor feels OK about your driving and understands the role of a commercial motor vehicle operator, then he should write a medical opinion letter for you to take to the DOT examination, explaining your condition, treatment and safe usage of the medications you are taking and whether your specific condition is stable. That way there is no surprises for you or the DOT examiner.
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Had a TIA that lasted 5 mins went to the ER they kept me a day had MRI Cat scan ultra sound EKG everything was perfect. They sent me home the nexted day and have to take a aspirin and a statin drug. The DOT doctor wanted me to go to the neurologist and I also went to a cardiologist and they both released me and so did my primary doctor. My company made another appointment with the DOT doctor and the DOT doctor called me before he even saw me and said I will not look at you even after all the other doctors released me. TIAs are more common then not. Its been 2 months and losing everything. The DOT doctor is a arrogant A and that is common knowledge.. Can he refuse looking at me and all my medical back up
@Jim
TIA via FMCSA is an automatic one year wait before returning to driving.
Check into doing intra-state only for a while. You’ll need to check with your local drivers license department to get further information regarding this issue. Good Luck
When did having narcolepsy disqualifing put into the rule that you were disqualifing. and were can get a copy
@Thomas
If not mistaken narcolepsy has been a disqualifier due to the fact that it makes for an unsafe driver. But the new DOT examiners are just now getting their stuff together. If your condition is being treated by your primary, and it is being controlled, then get a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and take that with you during the DOT examination. This will be a help for the examiner to take as much information in as possible.
Did a law go into effect July 2014 that if you have Narcolepsy but it is under control by medication and you are under the care of a physician that you still will be Disqualified from a CDL even though you have had CDL for years? Where can I get a copy of the ruling stating this?
@Thomas
Get a medical release from your doctor to explain your situation.
I have Hydrocephalus. I have had it since birth. I have held a valid Class A CDL for 22 years. I am now trying to get a job driving a school bus and the doctor giving the physicals said that I do not qualify because my the skin of my brain has be cut due to the shunt I have. I have no restrictions, no limitations, and no medications. I am 44 years old and the last time I had a shunt revision was 21 years ago. After which, I received a medical card. Is this true or is he misunderstanding the rule. I have held a valid medical card this entire time and Hydrocephalus has been listed on every one of them. The only thing that has ever been said is that I have a 1 year card instead of 2 year.
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I was diagnosed with idiopathic polyneuropathy on 12/10/2010. Will this stop me from getting a medical card.. It is rated mild to moderate.
@Mark
Because this condition is going to cause a multitude of questions from any examiner, it would be highly unlikely that you would pass an interstate class A license examination.
You could check with your state drivers license department and see what their regulations are for an intra-state only commercial license.
Got a medical release from Nuerologist, picture of meds. Taken just after hospital stay. Trying to get on with first trucking co. Four months ago I fell and had evac uation of epidural hematoma and left sided craniotomy. No seizures,no anything. Hair analysis showed pain meds. Sent home and waiting for DOT medical examiner to decide if Im ok to drive (medical card). Will they pass me?
@Kristine
Very questionable. Each person has to be taken on a case by case evaluation.
Your CME will have to weigh all of the examination and findings from his exam and all the information from all the other doctors involved in your case. He will also take into consideration any potential safety issue that his findings reveal and ask questions from the other doctor regarding your situation. Give him time and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Do I report a TIA to my boss? Does TIA go into the FMCSA data base and who reports that to them? I heard disqualified for 1 yr. after TIA
@Tony
At least one year, maybe more depending on the area of the brain.
Your information goes on your medical history form for the doctor and a copy of your most recent results must be attached to the federal form. All of that information is kept with the CME that does the examination. This information is not turned into the FMCSA, unless they ask for it. The FMCSA database only wants to know if you pass, if so for how long, and if you do not pass. There is no specific information to the FMCSA, unless they ask for it.
I was assaulted in october of 2014. My jaw and nose were broken. Then i ended up with a subdural hematoma (blood clot) and had head surgery in november. the blood clot came back and i had head surgery again in january and again in february. Finally in July of 2015 I was released from all restrictions and given a release form to return to work and my normal duties.. I am good now, never got a seizure or anything like that. I went to do a dot physical and was given my dot card in july. Now, i applied for a driving job and the company sent me to get another dot physical at the clinic they send all the new hires, they didn’t accept the card i had. Now the doctor said i didn’t qualify because i have to wait atleast 1 year from last surgery and maybe longer depending on my injury. Is this true or is the doctor misinterpreting the dot regulations?