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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 suffered a stroke in 2000, do i need nuerologist exam every year to et a DOT physical
@Greg
A medical release form from you neurologist each time you go for your medical certificate should be all you need, if all else passes the certification examination.
I have had myasthenia gravis for 3 years. It has been under control for the past 2 1/2 years. I would like to renew my medical for my CDL class B license. Is this going to be a problem?
@Milt
Make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and what he feels your prognosis to be. If the condition is controlled and your doctor feels that you can perform the duties of a driver, then you should be OK. But make sure you have all the information that the examiner is going to need before showing up for the examination.
Will this affect a Class A CDL. I’m in Utah and the guy who did my DOT physical said I had to be signed off by a certified medical examiner and take a 2 day driving class.
I voluntarily admitted myself into the hospital for suicidal thoughts. They involuntarily committed me and I was cleared after 6 months. Does this disqualify me for hazmat endorsement?
@Kevin
How long ago did this occur and how stable are you now? Do you have to take any medications to maintain? I know, more questions than answers, but you don’t give me much to work with.
This was 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety, but my primary care doctor already had me on anti anxiety medication for years previous to this incident. I have a letter from my primary care doctor that says i am fit to drive and have no side effects. I also reside in Pennsylvania if that matters.
@Kevin
We suspect that after a six year period without incidence and a letter of medical release from your primary, that you should do OK.
I was admitted into the hospital with what was, at the time, classified as a TIA by the Hospitalist on duty. I was kept overnight for observation, given two CT scans and an MRI, and nothing was found. The “mini stroke” diagnosis was disqualified by my neurologist, and she has since classified the event as an Acute Bilateral Migraine. The doctor who administered my DOT physical gave me a 1-month physical card since I passed the physical with flying colors, but is now withholding my card pending a EMG test for possible neuropathy. Two questions: Would an Acute Bilateral Migraine preclude me from getting my 2-year card? And, should they be allowed to withhold my card if I am diagnosed with any form of neuropathy?
Thank You.
@Mike
What the examiner is looking for is evidence that you did not suffer a TIA and that you are cleared to drive. So yes he can withhold until he has proper documentation to support his decision to allow you to drive.
Just went in to get recertified for a class D DOT physical and was honest that I voluntarily was hospitalized for MDD and suicidal behavior. At the physical they said that I could not drive for a year how can that be? You try to be upfront and honest and do the right thing and your able to drive a personal vehicle but not a work? Seems excessive. State of Iowa
@Brian
So what drivers license class are you trying for? Class D and a medical certification for a class A examination, does not make sense.
If all you need is a medical certificate to operate a small box truck or something then why would someone perform a class A DOT medical examination on you?
You may have seen someone who is over-reading what is actually needed in your case.
If after a head injury, I have been released, no restrictions from my treating physician am I required to get a new medical card?
@Mary
Yes, you need to be determined as medically fit for duty, that means a new medical certificate.
My husband has stage 4 lung cancer. It spread to his brain. He had surgery to remove the tumor from his brain. Will this surgery effect his CDL?
@Wendy
Not so much his cdl, but the surgery makes his present medical card invalid.
So once he has healed completely and has a medical release from his doctor he can renew his medical certificate. Make sure you have a medical release form from the doctor before you go for the DOT examination.
We are working to try to help one of our patients determine how long before he needs to wait before being able to get his CDL. He had bilateral craniotomies due to bleeding after a fall, he DID NOT lose consciousness. Doing well.
@Donna
Depends on the extent of the TBI. Time frames can be from a few weeks to months to never again if he is taking certain medication for things like seizure prevention. So we would need more information before we could try to answer your question.