Please read through the Q&A before posting a question. This will help everyone to not have duplicate questions. Thank you!
If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to ask your question in the comments section below.
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.
Can’t Find An Answer For Your Question?
If you have a question that you feel has not been answered, scroll down to the Questions and Comments box and post your question.
- Before posting, please make sure you are on the appropriate Category page, so that relevant questions and answers can be found by other drivers too.
- To save us all from zombie spammers, your question will not appear on this page until it has been approved.
- Trucker Docs™ will answer your question as soon as possible.
- Visit this page again soon to see our response.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
Your comments are also welcome.
I have had a hold placed on my DOT physical because I may suffer from Neuropathy. I have type II diabetes, but have long suffered from gout and may have joint and nerve damage from that. My doctor thinks that I may have diabetic neuropathy, and had prescribed Gabapentin at one point to treat it. I did not react well to the Gabapentin and have since discontinued it, about 6 months ago. The DOT physician actually saw the old prescription on a medicine list and that is what led to the hold. I am now supposed to show proof that my neuropathy is not related to my diabetes or that I don’t have it at all. I have not actually been formally diagnosed with it yet. I do, on occasion, have some tingling and burning pain in my feet at night especially when I am trying to sleep.
My question is, if my primary care doctor will not exclude the diabetic neuropathy am I banned from driving commercially? I understand the neuropathy is a progressive symptom and may get worse in the future, but it is only an annoyance at this point, and I am already subject to yearly dot physicals because of the diabetes. I am also going to be having gastric bypass surgery soon and hope that helps with my current health problems, and that may remove the issue. I am just wondering if this may be the end of my driving career, or if I can still drive with a waiver or something? Assuming it is found to be diabetic neuropathy. Thank you.
@Heath
Get a medical release form from you doctor explaining your situation and conditions. The CME needs to have supportive information to make final determinations regarding your status as a CMV operator. You do need to confirm or deny what the conditions are, and how they are going to be treated. That will determine what your driving career will consist of. If it is diabetic neuropathy, then again a medical release for the CME will be required. If the condition is controllable to date, then the CME could just continue monitoring your status.
I am a nurse and work with a Certified Examiner who is a chiropractor. I was lead to believe that he is not allowed to complete an exam for a client diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. If he goes to a neurologist who confirms he is safe to drive, can my doc complete the exam?
@Kitty
With a confirmation from the neurologist, one who understands the duties of a CMV operator, then the CME can sign off on the examination. You would need a medical release form from the neurologist to complete this process.
I had a bout of vertigo back in March 2015, and now recently about 2 weeks ago where I had to go to ER, I was released to go back to driving my truck by my primary care doc. but I was taken out of service by a DOT doc during my yearly physical….any chance of me getting back in the saddle anytime soon? I drive hazmat material.
@Mike
The CME that did your examination should have ask for a neurological eval to determine where you stand at the moment. So talk with the medical examiner and ask what paperwork you need before trying to do the FMCSA examination again.
I have just been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis . Still doing testing to eliminate anything else . Is this condition going to disqualify me from renewing my medical card ?
@Gary
Make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor. As long as he feels that you are fit for duty and the CME has all the information to make a safety issue decision, then you may be OK. This is usually a progressive condition and may reach a point that driving is out of the question.
Can my brother be approved for a local CDL license? He’s had epilepsy since about 12yrs old. During that time he has been on medications. Last year he had epilepsy surgery. It’s been 18+ months
without any seizure. He still is taking one seizure medication, but that can be reduced after 24 months.
Does he have a chance at getting a local (non-passenger) CDL license?
@Jay
You will want to check with your local drivers license department on this one. Each state is different and your state may have a policy in place that would allow him to driver CDL as an intra-state only driver. But confirm that with your local DLD.
He lives in New York State. Would he be able to get a CDL in New York? How about Vermont or Mass?
My husband had a one time unprovoked Seizure and doesn’t have Epilespsy on Sept 29 2015 he was admitted to the hospital and was seen by a neurologist . He had an Eeg and a brain MIR with nothing conclusive . He has never had anything like this before and wasn’t precribed any anit Serzure medicine . The neurologist says he will lose his CDLfor 2 years. I beleive he is over guessing the time he would be disqualified for his Cdl. I don’t beleive he will sign off for him to drive before the two years are up .His CDL was cancelled by the state. But for how long?Who has the final word ? Thanks for your time ! Frustrated to the end !
@Penny
It would be a one year waiting period. The CME makes the final decision, but he will need a medical release form from the neurologist. Check with any CME to get a copy of the regulations to take back to the neurologist. The neurologist is great at neurology, but is not a CME and is unaware of the DOT regulations. Be polite, but have what you need before you go back to the neurologist.
my husband recently was diagnosed with parkinsons and doctor pulled his medical card and says he needs to see a certified DOT neurologist. where do you find one of these? or is there someone else he can see. we live in iowa.
@Deb
Certified DOT neurologist? Never heard of such a thing. Any neurologist will do and he needs to complete a medical release form explaining his findings for the CME. If the CME does not understand the neurologist explanation, then find a new CME.
August 18th, TIA with refusal of DOT medical card for a year;
After asking questions and pushing for answers, vascular surgeon found a blockage in carotid artery; An arteriosclerosis of carotid artery was performed; all blockage, plaque was successfully removed; vascular surgeon and Neurologist both say thumbs for returning to work as the risk for a stroke or TIA has basically removed. My risk factor according to them is the same or less than the average person;
In your opinion do you feel I will be able to attain my DOT physical again?
@Larry
Because it was diagnosed as a TIA, then the one year waiting period is in effect, according to the FMCSA. So any CME is held by this regulation.
You should be able to return to driving once the waiting period is over. Also make sure you have a medical release form from you doctors when you go for your DOT examination, as well as all of your most recent test results. The CME is going to want as much information as possible to get you back on the road.