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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’m a transit operator for the City and County of San Francisco I had a stroke a little over a year ago I was denied my queen medical card because of where I had my stroke they’re saying telling me its a five year hold weight to get my green card because I had a left middle cerebral artery stroke I have no deficit I’m back to 95% I passed the test in office but they came back and said I couldn’t have my green car because of the type of stroke that hat I can’t find my question anywhere nor does it say on any website for the state or federal that it’s a five year hold I need that question answered is it really a 5 year waiting period
@Myra
It is a recommended waiting period. Try having your neurologist complete a medical release form for you. With the correct information, the waiting period can be shortened by the CME. But he has to have supporting information before he can act on it.
I am currently have a CDL B with hazmat I am currently seeing a therapist that thinks I have a issue with anxiety. I was trying to find out if my primary physician can write me a prescription for antidepressants and what they would so that I would still be able to keep my job with Virginia CDL
@Cindy
Just have your prescribing doctor complete a medical release form for you. That will answer all the questions that any examiner will have.
Is there a required length of time a CDL driver who’s had a stroke has to wait before returning to driving?
@theoron
A lot will depend on the location of the stroke. In general it will be a one to five year waiting period. Check with your local DOT examiner to determine the level and length of time you will have to wait.
I am UPS package car driver for 25 years. For the last two years in the month of December my Doctor puts me on Lexapro 10mg once a day for stress or maybe low level anxiety. At the end of January I usually stop. I went to get my DOT today. DOT Doctor said since Lexapro was prescribed by my primary Doctor and not a psychologist or psychiatry she is putting it on hold. Once I get cleared from either of them, she will pass me. What do you suggest?
@Jim
The medical examiner may be over-reading the guides.
If you have a medical release form completed by your primary doctor explaining your situation, then you should be good to go.
Does Chiari malformation type one disqualify you from obtaining a fed med card.
@Jason
Not in and of itself.
Make sure you take a medical release form from your medical doctor with you at the time of your DOT examination. That form will answer most of the questions that the DOT examiner will have. Good Luck
My son is trying to get certified. When he was 19 he had an accident (almost 7 years ago) that involved a TBI were a small cotter pin penetrated his dura. He did have surgery to have it removed. He never lost consciousness during his accident, has never had any kind of epileptic seizure that is defined in the DOT handbook that says would disqualify him. He is a very healthy adult male. He has been denied his clearance by a dr. because of his accident. Everything that we read states that even a person that suffers from epileptic seizures is able to get approval if they go 5 years seizure free. My son should be able to get his if he has NEVER once had any type of seizure in 7 years?
@Dawn
A lot will depend on what his primary doctor states in the medical release form that your son needs to have completed before he goes for his DOT medical examination. If he is not taking any seizure medications and he is as healthy as you imply, then there should be no problems. The rules and guidelines are pretty straight forward regarding this type of condition, and you are reading the guides correctly.
So get the medical release form completed first, and then go for the physical. Good Luck.
My husband has been seizure free for 15 years but still take medication for the seizure. He drives truck and need a DOT physical to keep driving, but doctor won’t pass his because he still takes the medication and the state of New York said he is ok to drive even tho he is still on the meds. Can you give us any advice on where we should go from here. Thank You
@Trina
The CME’s with not much experience doing DOTs are not reading through all the information.
Start with a medical release form completed by his primary doctor and neurologist, if you have one.
The medical release form should answer most of the questions that the CME will have.
Also make a copy of the information from your state regarding the issue.
The more information you can bring with you regarding his situation, the better. Good Luck
In the state of Oregon how often does a person who has been diagnosed with bipolar need to have their Department of Transportation card renewed? Once a year or every two years? Thank you.
DOT is federal. State doesn’t matter. Maximum 1 year card.