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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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Does a migraine disorder disqualify me to get re-certified for my bus driving job?
@Chara
Depends on their severity. A medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation and a discussion with the examiner should be all you really need.
On Oct 12, 2014, my husband had a seizure on our driveway. He was rushed to ER where he had yet another seizure. After a scan and MRI, we were told he had a large tumor and that he needed immediate brain surgery. The next day he had a craniotomy. To our surprise it WAS NOT a tumor but a golf ball size abscess. They removed it and he has made a full normal recovery. Of course the doctor has him on Depakote. This medication helps with migraines, anxiety, depression and is an anti seizure drug. His neurologist determined that the abscess came from a dog bite (very large one) that he got on the job.
He was a UPS driver. Once he was released to go back to work he went to get his DOT and they denied him because they said he falls under the epilepsy category. He has never had a seizure in his life and this was a freak thing that happened to him. His EEG was normal too.
What can he do to get his DOT card back? He has 4 years left till retirement. 🙁
Thanks! Helpless feeling wife
@Tania
He does not really fall under the epilepsy ruling, but he did have a couple of seizures and he is presently taking an anti seizure medication. All of this would disqualify him as a interstate driver with a class A license.
So some questions would be: What is his driver’s license class? Could he drive within the state as a intra-state driver with a medical card? What are the state rules regarding him driving intra-state only as a UPS driver?
You may find that he can continue driving long as he can find these things out. All of it will require a medical release form from the doctor explaining the situation and the prognosis. So be prepared first and then go for the medical examination.
My son has been diagnosed with Ms a few years back, he is under the care of a doctor and has had flair ups from time to time, but has not been unable to work or drive as of yet, these flair ups last only a week at a time when they come and he is aware when they do as they leave signs that come on gradual, he has recently went for a physical exam and was told that he would have to wait until his lesions have shrunk for at least a year, before he would be able to pass this test. This is preventing him from bettering his career and doing what he is able to do. He has NO STIPULATIONS with his doctor, but showing an MRI results within the year would show that there has been activity. Is this true that he will not be able to pass this test until a MRI shows no real results for at least a year???
Disappointed
@Brenda
What the CME will need is a medical release form from the treating doctor.
The CME is reading the guidelines and they state: “You should not certify the driver until etiology is confirmed and treatment has been shown to be adequate/effective, safe, and the condition is stable.” If the treating physician can support the stability of the condition to the CME, then there is a chance in getting a medical certificate. All this falls to the doctors agreeing that the driver would be safe operating a commercial motor vehicle and that the condition is under control.
I had a CDL for 20 years. I quit Yellow Freight to go back into the Army in 2007 at age 42. I was involved in I.E.D. blast and have PTSD. Mine isn’t the “mean” type, I have survivors quilt. Will I still qualify for a CDL? I am ready to drive again. It’s been 8 years.
@James
As long as your medical doctor will clear you as ready to return to driving and your psychologist will sign off on your medical release form, you should be fine.
My doctor (neurologist) for the examination report , just needs a note, dating and verification my examination, and my visit.
I had a alcohol withdraw seizure 21/2years ago and now I am being denied my med card because I take a medication for it. My doctor said I can quit taking the meds because I do not drink. But in the mean time My boss will not let me drive until I see a specialist. I live in Wisconsin and have a cdl for three years so what I would like to know is can I get my med card renewed right away if the tests come back OK or do I have to wait a year or more.
@Roger
You are kind of between a rock and a hard spot. You have been taking a medication for seizures and by the FMCSA rules, you will need to be off these meds for a while before anyone will consider a DOT medical certificate.
Start with a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation and medication usage. The clock starts once you are off the medications and with a good explanation from your doctor, both for the CME and your boss, you may be back to driving sooner than you think. It will depend on the medical release forms explanation and how the CME views the info.
My husband got a temp to hire position driving locally in Oregon. he does not need cdl, its a class c. They did not require a dot medical card from him upon application. Temp place said he did not need one. Hes been diagnosed with epilepsy back in 95, but hasn’t had and seizures in well over 10 years. It is controlled by medication. Does he have any hope that he’ll pass or any way that he can get a waiver of some sort?
@Lynn
You will need to talk with your local drivers license department regarding this question. Each state is different and has their own set of rules.
I have been a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for a Country Road Commission in Michigan for 39 years. In 1999 I started having headaches on the left side of my head. Went everywhere for help and tried every medication the doctors could think over the years, and the only thing that helped was Methadone and that just made the pain bearable. Then this year I find out I’m out of a job after I’ve gone threw so much to keep working because I through it was the right thing to do. Now where do I go. I’ve had 5 lower back surgeries, two neck surgeries and am going to need a knee surgery. I as a year away from my pension. Every doctor I’ve been to say’s I’m fine to work except for the band on methadone of which their doesn’t seem to be a alternative to.
Could use some advice,
Dennis
@Dennis
You want to see if your medical/prescribing doctor can explain in a medical release form what is going on. The ban on this medication is for people trying to get off heroine or other opiates. With a good explanation from your prescribing doctor, then the CME can over-ride the FMCSA guides, if he wants to, based on adequate information regarding your present condition. There are possibilities in this case, but a lot of information to help the CME support his decision is going to be needed.