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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 fell and hit the back of my head on the cement, no broken skin, just a big lump, never lost consciousness, and never had a seizure. My husband took me to the emergency room, to find out that I had cracked my skull open and bled into the brain a little. My neurologist released me to drive school bus on May 1, 2017,the last 3 weeks of school. Last week I went for my physical and was denied until March 2018 because he said that I could have a seizure. If I was released by my neurologist do I still have to wait with the proper documentation from my doctor?
@Linda
You’re a school bus driver. You do not full under FMCSA requirements for class A drivers. You’ll need to check with your local state drivers license department.
Hello I’ve been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy for quite some time. I’ve been driving for 10 years and my disease is starting to get worse and worse but I don’t let it slow me. I do a lot of heavy hauling and chain stuff down all the time and hook and unhook doubles 6-8 times a day. I’m very active even though I have a hard time doing stuff. I walk around with a limp and have a little hard time getting in and out of the truck. I don’t feel that it limits my ability to drive a truck. I’ve been in a truck since I was born and with my disibilities I’m still better then most drivers on the road. My question is that if I tell my dot physical examiner what I have, will I not be able to get my physical? Or is there special exemptions that they would give me? I see drivers out there that can hardly move and get in and out of trucks that are still driving. Besides my muscle disorder I’m one of the most healthiest people out there. Ever since I was a kid alls I’ve wanted to do was drive truck and I’d be heart broken if I couldn’t.
@Mark
You should be truthful on your health history form. If your condition does not limit your ability to perform your duties as a CMV operator then you shouldn’t have any problem. If your condition is limiting you would want to check with FMCSA for a possible waiver.
Does Parkinson’s disease automatically disqualify you to have a CDL license in Florida per DOT rules and regulations.
@Kristy
It will depend on the class CDL that you are going for. Class A interstate or class B or C, each will have different requirements and will fall under different governing bodies. If you are not going for a class A, then you would need to check with the local drivers license department in your state.
Have a cyst in my brain. My last surgery was in 2000 to replace the shunt that was installed to fix my problem. Have had my CDLs for 15 years and a DOT medical exam every two years. And every medical examiner has passed me with no problems. This last place that I have went to his require me to get a MRI and will not pass me on my medical exam until I get one. Has something changed in the last two years?
@Josh
All you should need is a medical release form from your primary neurologist explaining your situation and to help provide supporting documentation. The CME should be looking for supporting data, not requesting an MRI. It is outside of the FMCSA’s guidelines for the CME program.
If a driver has been hospitalized for shortness of breath, Is he required to retake his DOT physical before he can drive a CMV?
@Richard
Yes. And make sure you have a medical release from your doctor for return to work.
I’ve had my CDL since 2001. I had an acoustic neuroma removed in 1999. I have disclosed this info every time my physical was due. This year they are telling me I need a waiver from my personal physician that states that I will not have an episode while driving. I have never had any adverse effects since the surgery. Do I need this waiver, or is there somewhere in the guidelines I can show my doctor that this is not a problem.
@Faust
You don’t need a waiver, just a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation and that you have had no issues.
Yes I have a CDL A license and my medical card experience in August this year. And I’m out on Medical leave. How long do I have until I have to renew my medical card. I know that I can’t drive without my medical card. Just trying to find out how long I have until I lose my class A license. So I don’t have to go back and start over again
@Jeffrey
Depending on the state you are in the time lag differs – but – your CDL will be downgraded not long after your medical card expires.
Contact your local drivers license to see what you can do to maintain your CDL. They may allow you to self-certify “excepted” until you start driving again, or for a certain amount of time.
I was diagnosed with vertigo back in April and have been on temporary disability since then. My card expired yesterday. I cannot get it until I’m released from my doctor which hopefully will be in July. I have had my CDL for 17 years and don’t want to have to go through all of that again. Is there any kind of medical waiver or anything like that so all I have to do is get my DOT card? I live in Tennessee. Thank you!
@Sonja
Contact your local drivers license department to explain that you are out for medical reasons. They should have a process in place to take care of this until you have a new medical card.
How about bipolar. I’ve had my cdl for almost 3 years now. I was diagnosed with ptsd almost 2 years ago and the medicine I was taking made the doc only cert me for a year. No biggie. Now this year …actually a couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed as bipolar and added an extra medicine. The first being depakote and the second being effexor? Is this gonna cause me to loose my certification and my cdl???
@Billy
It is going to raise questions, so take as much supporting documentation as possible from your doctor explaining your condition and situation. And make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor also.