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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 stroke two months ago, It affected my phiriforal vision,my vision to the front is good. My primary doctor sent me to an opthamoligist and he’s told me I may not be able to ever drive again. I haven’t seen my neurologist for a while but have an appointment on June the 30th. I’ve done some research on the internet that there is a one year waiting period after astroke for reaccurences. Is this true? Just wanting to get back to work as soon as possible and need to know what my next step is. I’ve been a CDL driver for over 30 years and must admit have some anxiety over starting a new career at this time. I believe I could pass the dot physical but not sure about the requirements after a stroke. Any help would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!!!!
@Mark
A one to five year waiting period, depending on where the stroke was. Vision must be at least 70 degrees from straight ahead or better in each eye, to pass the DOT medical examination. You might check with your local state drivers license department and see what the requirements are for an intra-state only driver.
In 2010 I was seeing a therapist and referred me to a psychiatrist who had prescribed me anti depressants up until mid 2012 I was taking anti depressants. I have not taken any medications or seen this doctor since 2012. Do I need to bring this up at a dot physical exam?
@Nick
Bring it up and have a medical release form from your primary doctor in hand when you go for the DOT examination. That should answer any questions that the CME will have and you shouldn’t have any problems.
ive been diagnosed with CFS/ME, i dont have the brain fog, but i have sever pain, headaches (when not on my meds). ive alreayd been an otr dirver for 5.5 months last year. i want to know if just having it will disqualify me, i want to get back on the road so bad.
@Justin
You are going to need a medical release form from your primary doctor explaining your situation and your condition. That will answer most of the questions for the CME. If you go in without the basic information you are going to be sent out to get it, so start with the info in hand. This condition is going to need some explanation and discussion to see if you will qualify. Good Luck
I am a 20 year delivery driver I do not have or need a CDL.I only need a class C license for the truck I drive I have had epilepsy since age 10 I have been taking dilantin ever since. My primary doctor has passed me on all physicals I’ve needed. I have been seizure free for almost 30 years . What are my options.
@Jeff
I’m not sure what the question is here.
Sorry I have been driving a delivery truck for 21 plus years I do not have or need a CDL and drive locally.. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 10 I am over 50 now I take 300 mg dilantin a day and have not had a seizure since 10/08/1986 My primary doctor has given me a medical card until this next physical because he is not certified Question I know it is up to certified doctor but will a medical release form help me ?
@Jeff
As long as your state allows you to drive within the state with your condition, then you would want to get a medical release form completed by your doctor. It will be a huge help in answering most of the CME’s questions before you get started.
Check with your state in their intrastate regulations.
I went to get my med car renewed. I was told that since I had a stroke 10 years ago and am still on Plavix that I needed release from a neurologist. This has never been a problem in the past. I don’t even remember the doctor I saw then. It was a TIA and I have had no problems since. They failed me. I called 2 neurologist in my area and they both said they would have to start over with tests since this was so many years ago. It will cost me between $3500 to $5000. I don’t understand why after all these years of getting my med card it is an issue now. Please help.
@ James
Get a medical release form filled out by your primary care doctor and take that with you to the next DOT examination. It will answer most of the questions that the CME has. You ran into a CME that is over-reading the regulations and is covering his behind. All CME’s must be able to substantiate their decision making process, and can do that only with appropriate information from your primary doctor.
If you have been cleared by a neurologist after a stroke to drive is there still a mandatory wait time based on federal law or state of Illinois law. Please don’t tell me what’s recommended. I’m talking about the law. I’m a school bus driver with a current CDL.
@Greg
You are a school bus driver and you fall under the state’s variances.
You need to check with your local state drivers license department, this is a state issue not a FMCSA issue. We address questions mostly at a federal level as it is impossible for us to keep up with all differing state regulations.
I had a minor accident in July of 2002. 3 weeks later I was diagnosed with a subdrual hematomy. I had surgery in August of 2002, released after 11 days from the hospital, and released from the neurosurgeon in December to “continue normal activities” as my final appointment was good and all functions were good. I finished antibiotics and took anti-seizure meds for a while but haven’t taken any meds since some time in ’03. I never lost consciousness and never had a seizure. I got a class B CDL for day driving in Ga. and was asked to get a medical card. The PA at the end of the physical asked about my previous surgery, when I told her about it she denied me temporarily and asked me to get records from the neurosurgeon. I told her I was released in late 2002 and had driven 300,000 miles in the last 12 1/2 years on an outside territory sales job, and had even driven a Nascar driving experience at 140 mph… but she insisted on records. The neurosurgeon has found a copy of the report from the last follow up visit in 2002 but say they don’t normally keep records past 7 to 10 years. Is this required after 13 years of having had no trouble to drive on a daily intrastate, inner city job with no overnight or long haul trips?
@David
Not really. A medical release form completed by your primary doctor would suffice. The CME is over-reading your situation and doing a CYA for herself. Just have your neurosurgeon/primary do your medical release and you should be good to go.
This morning the PA said form from neurosurgeon looked good, but wanted to check with her medical director when he came in before giving me the card. Called back and said he wanted clearance from a neurologist.The records are gone, Dr. King isn’t a neurologist, he’s a neurosurgeon, so now I guess I’ve got to schedule an appt. with a neurologist somewhere to get a medical card … for something that happened 13 years ago even when she said I have been asymptomatic for almost 13 years. Is this normal or are they being a little over the top? We’re talking about a lot of money to get an appt and an exam with a neurologist for clearance of something that happened in August of 2002.
@ David
You didn’t give me any information regarding what your condition was. That being said, if you have a medical release form from your neurosurgeon and it is somewhat recent, like the last couple of years, then it should do. If the note is older, then you might want to get a medical release form from you primary doctor. That would avoid the the neurologist, maybe.
does a pacemaker/defibrillator disqualify your cdl?
@Gregory
It does not disqualify your CDL, but it will not allow you to pass your FMCSA medical certificate.
Try checking with your local drivers license department and see if you can operate as a intra-state only cdl driver. Each state is a little different, so check with them.
I have been diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). Will I be able to keep my cdl and medical card both before and after surgery?
@Michael
If the present condition is not effecting your ability to safely operate a CMV, then you should be able to continue driving for now.
Once you are out of the seat and going to surgery, your medical card becomes invalid and you need to re-certify. So once you are fully healed and ready to return to work, just get a medical release form completed by your primary doctor and you should be good to go.
I didn’t know since it is considered a brain tumor. I will not have any hearing in that ear after surgery and at best only 60% in other ear.
The hearing requirements are for ONE ear only (both eyes, but one ear requirements)