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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 had a work injury (May, 2017) to my left shoulder & arm, and required neck surgery – during pre-op exam, they found a heart murmur which led to open heart surgery, pacemaker implant, and finally, the back/neck surgery (3rd one). I currently take clopidogrel (Plavix generic) and gabapentin (for nerve damage) 3 times daily. Just had a pocket revision of the pacemaker, as I had pain/swelling for the past year. Currently on SS disability. Any chance I could get my DOT med card?
@ Joseph F
Not until you are fully recovered and released from any further care.
I’m currently a bus driver with a class B cdl, I’ve been diagnosed with essential tremors since 2009. I’m taking Primidone (anti-seizure med) as well as propranolol Can I legally drive a school bus?
@ Ran
Your situation falls under the states variances, not the FMCSA, so check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
What is the regulation if a driver attempts suicide and the Police are called.
One of my drivers attempted suicide and we drive Haz Mat……where is this addressed in the FMCSA guidelines? I was told no DOT for a year. Who reports this to the DMV.
Question:
I received a T.B.I. (Traumatic Brain Injury) , 8 years ago. Is it enough to keep me from passing a physical to get a CDL ? I am feeling very much normal now, almost the way I use to be. I use to have a CDL. But let it go about 4 years ago, and want to get another now that I am feeling better. And take up driving truck again. From a different state of course! Want to take a CDL course to get another.
@ Marvin R
You are going to need a medical release form from your doctors, along with your most recent test results. Your previous condition is going to raise questions to your ‘safety risk’ as a driver, so be prepared to get additional documentation for the medical examiner.
I currently have a class A cdl I’ve been driving for almost 3 years. Last month I was diagnosed with guillain-barré syndrome. Can I lose my medical card? I’m still working with a neurologist and right now I currently have no reflexes throughout my body. Should I be worried?
@ Emanuel
You will, ultimately, lose your medical card due to this condition. As your condition progresses you will be unable to pass the DOT medical certification examination. Hopefully the work that you and your neurologist are doing will slow the conditions progress.
I went to take a dot physical and drug test and i noted that I am schizophrenic. I passed every test until the medical DOT doctor asked about my medication and I said it was for schizophrenia and she said it is an automatic disqualification. She didn’t even ask me any questions and had a nurse come in and had me sign for disqualification. Keep in mind, my schizophrenia is controlled and I only had a meltdown one time and I even had an appointment with a social security disability doctor prior and he said I probably went through trauma and not schizophrenic. Should I get a form from that social security doctor and give to the medical DOT doctor? Also, can I be reconsidered even though she already disqualified me?
@ Kay
The answer to both of your questions is yes, maybe. And get medical release forms from your prescribing doctors and your psychologist.
Does a school bus driver who is diagnosed with vertigo by their primary doctor. Then cleared to return by their primary doctor.
Does this driver also need to be seen by a DOT physician before returning to work even though they are not yet do for their DOT physical?
If so where is this in writing?
@ Cynthia A J
If the condition required that the driver be taken from behind the wheel for any illness or injury, then a new medical card is required. That is a FMCSA requirement. As a school bus driver, not a class A – interstate cmv operator, he may not fall under the federal regulations, but in the states variances. Check with your local drivers licensing department for your states regulations.
I was diagnosed with vertigo December 2016 i was not driving at the time. I had no other problems with the vertigo since the diagnosis. In August of 2017 i got a job driving. The company allowed me to use the medical card i already had. August 19th i had an accident. Not from an episode of vertigo. Am i at fault?