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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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I have been prescribed Meclizine for nausea … it does not make me drowsy …will this show on a urinalysis?
@Diane
If you have a prescription from your doctor and you can provide a copy to the MRO, if you are asked to provide one, then you should not have an issue.
I have had my CDL for 15 years (in Wisconsin) and have been driving interstate for the same company for 7 years. In October, I had labyrinthitis (inner ear inflammation) due to a viral infection, probably because my seasonal allergies were particularly bad this year. It caused a bout of vertigo and a trip to the ER (because we had no idea what was going on). It was treated, I was on short term disability and light duty for two months. The infection is 100% cleared up. Is labyrinthitis a disqualifier? Then, the Friday before my DOT follow up Monday morning, the DOT calls and says they need my full medical records from 30 years ago when I had a head injury from a car accident. Is having a head injury from 30 years ago a disqualifier? There’s absolutely no connection to the two. Do you have any recommendations?
My question. I’ve worked religiously for this OTR company for five years. Recently suffering from flares of gout. While getting blood drawn for testing I passed out and now they telling me I suffered a Transient Ischemic Attack, known as a TIA. Now my company has a policy if out of work (sick or hospital) for a week. They require a new DOT physical. Because of my hospital stay and the diagnosis of TIA. DOT doctor is telling me I cannot pass the physical. Must not have commercial drivers license for one year. I live in Florida. Is this true????
@Thomas
Any illness or injury, according to the FMCSA, not just your company, would require a new DOT examination.
You could go back to the hospital and make sure that the medical records support a TIA, if that is the case then you are on a one year wait period before you can pass the DOT examination, again FMCSA.
If a new diagnosis can be support something other than a TIA you may not have to go through the waiting period.
You should also check with your local drivers license department and see if you can drive intra-state only and ask what the states rules and regulations are regarding your condition and the wait period.
Hello I’m taking generic version of lexapro will I get a trouble to get DOT licence
Thank u..
@Andreas
It all depends on why you are taking this medication and how long you have been using the medication. There will be questions about the condition and your present usage. A medical release form from your doctor explaining the situation and your reactions to the medication will go a long way to answering the CME’s questions.
If I had a diagnosis of being bipolar but am not taking any medications at all for condition would I pass dot physical
@Jake
Depends when you were released by your doctor. You will want to have a medical release form from your previous prescribing doctor.
I wanted to know if atypical Autism ( very high functioning) is an automatic disqualified. I’m very high functioning and do know how to drive. Please reply.
@Sal
If you are able to perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle operator, then you should not have any problems. Go to the FMCSA web-site and look up the drivers qualification / job description and see if you can perform all of these duties. If you feel that you can, then go for it.
I am Bipolar and taking LIthium since 1989. When I applied for my CDL in 1998, I had to wait a few months while the dept of public safety reviewed my medical records. And every 2 years they send a form and my primary care doctor fills it out and returns it so I can keep my cdl. I have not seen a psychiatrist since about 1998, he said primary care doctor could take care of Lithium. Now the doctor to do my DOT physical says I need a release from a psychiatrist not my my primary care doctor.He says it is the new ruling that it can’t be my pcp. Is this true? I will lose the job I love if I have to wait to set up with a psychiatrist.
@Retha
The CME needs to have all of the available information in his hands to make a decision about your state. If your Primary Care Physician has all of the available information, then there should not be a problem. Can’t tell if the CME is over-reading the guidelines or not looking at all of the available information. Get your PCP to help out here.
Hello,
I am a school bus driver in Michigan. Ihave been taking Adderal for over 10 years under doctors care. I drove a school bus in Michigan from 2005 until 2008. I then moved to Ohio and drove there as well. I am presently driving a school bus in Michigan going on 3 years.
When I returned to Michigan I was hired as a school bus driver in 2012. I was still taking the Adderal under my doctors care, and I was issued a 2 YEAR medical card.
.
I was off for some surgery for two months (not job related/not workmen’s comp)). During my time off the job, my medical card had expired. I went in for my physical before returning back to my school bus job and I was issued a 1 YEAR medical card.
I am in great physical shape & health, not over weight, no blood, heart, health or diabetes issues.. After many phone calls, on line research and a lot of run around, I could NOT get an answer as to why I was NOT issued a 2 YEAR medical card. I am still taking the Adderal under my doctors care. I have not had any problems with any drug screenings, and there have been many!
What has changed? I have been on Adderal since my very first day on this job. I am finding this
very upsetting that I only received a 1 YEAR medical card and no answers as to why.
Can you please help me figure this out?
Thank you so much,
@Krystyna
All that changed is that the CME who is doing your medical card only feels comfortable giving you a one year verses a two year card.
If you ask him point blank and he answered honestly, it would be based on his decision making process. No rules or regulations, just CME prerogative. Maybe he feels that your condition could deteriorate and he wants to keep a close eye on you. Seems like a medical release form from your PCP should suffice as more than enough information for a two year card.