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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 recently had surgery to drain the blood from a subdural hemotoma. I was unaware, as was the neurosurgeon, that this surgery would disqualify me from passing my d.o.t. physical because it penatrated my “dura”. Are there any exemptions for this type of surgery to get qualified to drive again ?
@Kevin
Just because there was a dural penetration does not mean you are disqualified for life. Direct answer is no, there is no exemption that I am aware of. But that being said, once you are fully healed and the neurosurgeon is happy with the results and he feels that there is no longer any danger in you returning to work, then have him complete a medical release form stating his opinion and bring any qualifying test results to support that opinion.
That will answer most of the questions that the CME will have. The CME has to take into consideration the findings and test results from the neurosurgeon. Based on a multitude of medical opinions, you may be able to return to work as a driver.
Another option may be to drive intra-state only. It’s not as stressful as OTR and you are home more often. Just a thought while you recover and get fully back on your feet.
I had a zeisure back in 2003 when I was in middle school. I apply for a job last week, they send me to do a physical.the doctors company won’t release me because of this issue. I told her all my EEG scans came out negative and that I haven’t had any zeisures for the past 12 yrs. what can I do.
@Hector
Instead of just telling them what your condition is, try taking a medical release form, completed by your doctor. That answers most of the questions that the CME has and he can support his decisions better with a release from your primary doctor.
If a driver has a transient ischemic attack (TIA), are they disqualified from driving a CMV?
@David
Once they have gone through the waiting period following the TIA and if there are no other effects left over from the TIA, then they may be able to return to driving. They may also be able to drive intra-state only, based on the state rules.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 5 years ago. I take ropinirole for tremors and amitriptylin for Parkinson’s insomnia. My neurologist says that he can’t tell that I have any symptoms other than a softening of my voice. Does PD disqualify me from class A CDL?
@Roy
As a general statement no.
But it will be a huge help if you have a medical release form completed by your primary neurologist, explaining your situation. Also, you may be place on a shorter length medical certificate so the CME can continue to monitor your driving capabilities.
I suffer from “Cranial Rectal Inversion” Is that a disqualifying condition for the DOT physical?
@Dick
No it does not, it pretty much makes you as normal as the rest of us in this industry.
Can I pass the DOT physical if I have MS?
@Arleen
Only if you are ‘medically fit’ for duty and can perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle operator.
You can find those duties on the FMCSA website.
These requirements are explained in our DOT Physical Exam Guidebook.
what are the rules for a transit operator returning to work after a stroke is it a five year hold on your green medical card.
@Myra
If you are not a class A driver traveling interstate, then you need to check with your state DLD to make the final determination.
If you are a class A driver then you will need to get a medical release form completed by your primary doctor explaining where the stroke was. That will be the determining factor on the waiting period.
Thank you ,but what does DLD stands for? So I will know where to look.
DLD – your state driver’s license department.
Thank you that’s the Department of Motor Vehicles I’m in the state of California Northern California that and I went through them they don’t have a clue either I gotta feeling this doctor is not telling the truth cuz I haven’t been able to find it anywhere I think they think I’m a liability at this point which state can’t really admit. Once again thank you so very much for your time
My husband suffered a seizure on October 12, 2014, and was diagnosed with a meningana brain tumor which was removed on October 23, 2014. He is an OTR Owner Operator and we need to know what the possibility is of him going back to work and the time frame. Our nuerosurgeon stated that seizure was caused by tumor and since tumor has been successfully removed he has no risk of another seizure. The nuerologist also took him off of all antiseziure medicines on December 15, 2014.
Any answers we could get would be greatly appreciated.
Sara Shannon
@Sara
This one will be touchy at best. Start with a full release form from the neurologist.
Any CME is going to have a lot of questions at the very beginning and the release will answer most of those questions. With a full release and off anti-seizure medications, there will be a waiting period, but it is based on the neurologist release form. So check with your local DOT examiner, once you have the medical release and he should be able to answer this question better, with all of the available information in hand.