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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 am submitting my question again because it disappeared, sorry. I was trying to get a DOT certification and was disqualified. I had a stroke 11 years ago but the CME had my neurologist sign a paper saying all was good and he signed it. She then found neuropathy in some med records and I went back to my neurologist and again, he signed that I was ok to do a driving position, two more forms he ok’d. The CME will not reconsider and Im still disqualified. Can I take all my ok’d forms to a new clinic and get a second opinion?
@Lucie
Yes, definitely.
Help.. I have a letter from prescribing physician that I am stable on medication I have been taking for two years.. I am being refused a dot physical after getting the run around .. What can I do about this..
@Chasiaty
Try a second opinion somewhere else.
My neurologist signed off on 3 different papers that I was fit to drive a CMV even tho I had a stroke 11 years ago, all is well, and that i now have the mildest form of neuropathy, all is well also. I still was disqualified. Can I take all of my papers that the neurologist signed off on to a new clinic for a second opinion?
I want to be re-certified but I have Miasthenia Gravis. I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I have been taking my medications and it is under control. I went for my DOT physical and I was told that M G would disqualify me.
I passed everything else. I did submit this question in Feb. 2016 but do not see any comment.
@Milt
Get a medical release form from your doctor explain your condition and existing prognosis. That should help any CME make better decisions regarding your case. You may be limited to one year at the time due to the progressive nature of your condition and the desire to continually monitor your situation.
I was diagnosed with a TIA 2 months ago. Does the same rule applies for the waiting period to start back driving again for a CDL Bus driver verses a CDL Truck driver and getting passed for another Medical card?
@Houston
Check with your state drivers license department here. If you operate as an intra-state only driver, then you may be functioning on some different regs.
I was disqualified by the doctor because I was admitted to a psychiatric ward twice I am a veteran who has PTSD and it stems from my time in service. I take Zoloft for it and have not had an accident nor harmed anyone. I feel that I am being discriminated against because of that. What should I do to get my medical card back?
I am having a similar problem please let me know what came of this
Have multiple conditions. Have been on an FMCSA diabetic exemption for the last 10 years. As part of that regiment, I have to see my endocrinologist quarterly to fill out forms and evaluate my condition for driving. During the last 10 years, I have stents put in 5 times. No heart attack, just plaque blockages which were caught before any heart damage occurred. I take Effient as a blood thinner. I was still approved to remain driving. I’m on a sleep apnea machine for disruptive snoring. My yearly eye examine shows only mild background diabetic retinopathy, so no problem there.
In October, 2015, I went on Gabapentin for diabetic neuropathy – my little toes burn at night when rubbing against the sheets. My encodrinologist filled out my FMCSA quarterly forms correctly stating the change of condition/new diagnosis, and nothing more was said.
Then this March I had a ministroke (a vessel the size of a hair – a microvascular ischemic thrombic lesion) in the left lateral hypothalamus which affected a little numbness in upper and lower right lip and a small amount of numbness in the right thumb and forefinger. So knowing about the possible one year delay, I went in the the medical examiner to get disqualified officially or to start the one year (or less) wait period. The neurologist gave me clearance to drive, but said I have small blood vessel damage in a few places (I assume in my brain). Hypertension and high glucose levels were the only things I can do to minimize more of these incidents. The scans of my head/brain arteries were absolutely clear with no blockages at all, unlike my heart. My blood pressure is well controlled (on four meds) . My A1c’s have been higher than desired at 8.5-9.0, (last 8.6).
The medical examiner told me she was following the minimum guidelines of a one year wait because of the possibility of more occurrences of a stroke. But when she saw I take Gabapentin, she said the neuropathy (not progressing and very mild) would most likely be a dis-qualifier in itself. So if I get a letter from the neurologist and endocrinologist saying I’m OK to drive and the neuropathy in my feet does not affect my driving, will I be able to be re-certified, or am most likely un-certifiable. My wife really wants me to fight to keep driving. I’m only 57. I’m not on any other meds which would dis-qualify me.
@Louis
You’ll need to get a medical release form from your doctor explaining why you are taking the meds that you take. The Gabapentin is also used as an anticonvulsant, and that is going to trigger a lot of questions that could be answered quickly with the doctor’s release form.
I am paraplegic due to Guillain-Barre syndrome, which did not affect my upper body. I have been driving for 47 years with hand controls, took my initial driving test with hand controls, and have had that restriction on my license for all of those years. I want to buy new hand controls. Do I have to have certification, after all these years, in order to purchase new hand controls? If so, does the state offer this anywhere at no cost?
@ Debbie
That is going to be a question for your local drivers license department.
I had Brain surgery 5 yrs ago and took anti-seizure Meds for 2yrs but never had a seizure. I have worked in Transportation for 30 yrs . Does this Medication disqualify me from CDL forever, or will I be able to go back to my regular duties as a driver . I have been off the Meds for 3 yrs. I really need some answers My Life cant stay on hold any longer.
@Helen
What was the reasoning for the brain surgery? Depending on what the reasoning was for placing you on this meds will determine what direction to move in.