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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 guillan barre syndrome disqualify a patient? They also have neuropathy but it does not effect their driving. Grips are weakened and I have not been on any medication for neuropathy because my insurance will not approve it.
@Cristy
Get your doctor to complete a medical release form for you.
He/she will be able to answer this question a bit better once he/she sees what a driver must do for a living. I believe your condition is going to be restrictive, but you may be able to make it, for a while, with the right documentation.
Hi I was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy which is causing all sorts of problems this causes dizziness blood pressure swings and loss of body sensations I think I already know the answer to this but is this a disqualifying disorder and this isn’t the only thing I have wrong I also have sleep apnea and a heart condition and I take three different kinds of blood thinners from antiphospholipid syndrome anyhow thanks for your time.
I believe you are right. Your present list of conditions would more than likely disqualify you as a CDL driver.
In most cases we are looking for any condition which would cause the driver to be unsafe or have conditions that could come on quickly and not allow the driver to get to a safe space before the public at large was endangered.
Hello, I’m a Tow Truck Driver in MN and have recently had a seizure. Once I’ve been cleared by doctors can I return to work straight away or do I need to wait a year?
The FMCSA regulations are pretty strict on this, and want a one year waiting period.
I did have a driver go from interstate to intra-state, so he could continue to drive until his one year was up. Good Luck.
I had a TIA on September10th, 2010 should that effect me getting a CDL ? Had an echocardiogram on August 20th,2014 my EF is 60% . Have seen my cardiologist every 6 months since TIA and have had no problems or recurrences since. Todd
@Todd
You want to have your cardiologist complete your medical release form before you go for your medical examination. The waiting period following a TIA can be as short as a year and as long as ten years, all based on what the cardiologist has to say. Take as much information as you can so that the DOT examiner has enough info to make an informed decision. Good Luck
I have a Class A Cdl but I don’t drive for a living. Got my cdl about 20 years ago and don’t really want to give it up. Without the medical card then I automatically loose it. I guess my issue is that I take remeron and risteril for sleep. I don’t plan on driving commercially but I don’t think it’s fair that I can loose my license without a dot card. What recommendations do you offer please?
@Frank
It depends which category you self-certify, and the regulations of your state. You may be able to keep your CDL without a medical card.
This article on CDL medical certification requirements should answer most questions on this subject.
Read the TIP at the end of the article – Not driving but want to keep your CDL.
We have an Iowa driver who had a stroke in the spring. He was told by the Iowa DOT he cannot get a medical card for 6 yrs. We are a trucking company for hire, he insists in Iowa he does not have to have a medical card to drive. I can not find anywhere in what I have researched where he can drive without a medical card for us. I can find where he could drive a farm truck to haul grain to market without the card but nothing I find says he can drive for us without his medical card.
Can you help us out with this, we cannot put him behind the wheel according to our Insurance without the medical card but he is insisting this is not true. Thank you.
@Shirley
Well lots of questions would need answering for the stroke issue. You don’t give enough information for this.
Question about the need for a medical card? If he wants to drive interstate for any company, anywhere in the US, even intrastate in Iowa, he has to have a medical card.
See Iowa CDL and DOT Medical Card Requirements.
I had a non-epileptic seizure at work and am currently having ECT treatments for depression. My Boss says I can’t drive for 10 years because of the seizure and even if I hadn’t had the seizure she says I have to wait 3 months after ECT treatment before I can drive. DOT doctor gave me my card knowing I was having these treatments, what do you think?
@Michelle
I think the doctor who did your examination and gave you a valid medical card does not understand his role as a DOT medical examiner.
The one time seizure and off any type of anti-convusant is a minimum of one year waiting period.
And the ECT treatments needs more information before I could even begin to try to answer your question.
So, based on a small amount of information you have provided, you should be in a waiting period of at least one year and your medical card then will be limited to one year at the time.
On October 31, 2008 I was treated for Bipolar Disorder and OCD through the VA hospital/clinic. I have been on several medications from day 1 and I have no side effects from the medication. I will most likely take this medication the rest of my life. Does this disqualify from obtaining my CDL?
@Steve
It will mostly depend on the medications you are taking for the bipolar condition.
I would get a medical release form filled out by your primary doctor, explaining your condition and your meds.
Then the DOT examiner has more information to work with. You may be limited to driving intra-state, but I am not sure.