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Q&A
Can a driver with lung disease get a DOT medical card?
Is the use of oxygen therapy a disqualifier?
Can I still drive if I have a blood clot in the lung?
I had lung surgery and a lobectomy a few years ago . Will this fail me on a DOT physical?
What does neck size, weight, and BMI have to do with the DOT physical exam?
What does snoring have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Can a driver with lung disease get a DOT medical card?
The medical examiner will evaluate your condition to determine how the lung disease may affect your ability to safely drive and perform other duties of a commercial driver. If you don’t have a medical opinion letter from a treating physician, you may need to go for a chest x-ray or pulmonary function tests before the medical examiner can consider certification.
Is the use of oxygen therapy a disqualifier?
Most likely, yes, oxygen therapy while driving is a disqualifier. The reasons are twofold: 1. Malfunction of the oxygen equipment. 2. Progression of the disease may be debilitating. You may be considered if you can pass a pulmonary function test.
I was recently diagnosed with COPD from exhaust leak in my semi. Can I lose my CDL because of this diagnosis?
The diagnosis of COPD is not, by itself a disqualifier for your cdl. It will/may have an effect while doing your medical examination and certification. Your best bet is to take any and all notation from your primary lung doctor with you when you re-do your medical exam and certificate. The examiner just needs to make sure your are fit to return to work without being a risk to yourself or the public at large.
Can I still drive if I have a blood clot in the lung?
With the blood clot in the lung, you want to make sure you bring a note from you pulmonary specialist stating you are good to go. The medical examiner will need a copy for your file when he does the exam.
I had lung surgery and a lobectomy a few years ago . Will this fail me on a DOT physical?
In and of itself, the lobectomy should not be an issue. But what was the reasoning behind the surgery? Your examiner will have other questions regarding the surgery and what its long term effects are, as well as, how it affects your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
What does neck size, weight, and BMI have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Neck size, weight, and BMI are all just indicators that the medical examiner looks at to determine if you may have a condition that would impact your ability to safely drive a commercial vehicle now or for the period for which the medical card may be issued. There are currently no set specifics on these measurements in the DOT regulations. However, companies may set their own policies and have their own standards for these indicators, which may disqualify you to drive for that particular company.
What does snoring have to do with the DOT physical exam?
Snoring, in combination with obesity, can be highly predictive of obstructive sleep apnea risk. That said, even the loudest of snorers may not have a breathing obstruction. The sign that is most suggestive of sleep apnea occurs when snoring stops. If both snoring and breathing stop while the person’s chest and body try to breathe, that is literally a description of an event called an ‘apnea’. When breathing starts again, there is typically a deep gasp and then the resumption of snoring.
For the DOT physical exam the medical examiner evaluates your overall physical condition and health history to determine if there are signs of a medical condition that may affect your ability to safely drive a CMV. If the medical examiner has reasonable suspicion that you have sleep apnea you may have to go for an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram before you can be further considered for certification.
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Rene says
I fell out of my truck back in January had several broken ribs and pneumothorax . My lung has been collapsed for the last 6 months and the current diagnosis from the last Ct scan Is:
No significant change from March exam. Patient continues to have elevation of left hemidiaphram and chronic ateletasis of the left lower line and sub segment of the left upper lobe
Workers comp doctors say it’s ok to go back to work…..
I’m still having trouble breathing It is very laboredvery … can I drive a commercial vehicle with a collapsed lung? I am an OTR Driver
Trucker Docs™ says
@Rene
No you will not pass a DOT physical with a collapsed lung and labored breathing.
Israel says
Hi there! I had a tracheotomy done in 2010 due to having fluid in my lungs and problems intubating me. I’m wanting to try and get back into driving and getting my CDL and I would need to get my DOT physical done. Would having the trach disqualify me from passing the physical, my pulmonary doctor is running tests now to make sure everything is fine and she sees no problem with me going back to work driving. I don’t see anything that says that it’s a disqualifier.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Israel
With proper documentation and recent testing results you may be able to drive intra-state, but suspect that you would not be qualified as an over the road interstate drivers. Make sure that you have as much available information and documentation as possible.
William J says
Are there new regulations regarding oxygen use in a truck? I am being treated for copd and require oxygen in the truck. My question is if it is provided by an oxigenator is that ok? Keep in mind oxygen tanks will not be used.
Trucker Docs™ says
@William
COPD will be an issue that will need to be addressed by your primary care doctor. Have your pcp fill out a medical release form explaining your condition and the need for the oxygenator. The CME will make a final decision based on all medical documentation.
John W Jr says
I have been on a Oxygen Concentrator for the last 5 yrs. I carry both a Portable (Inogen One G4 and a home untit) you can’t use tanks. I have contacted both my State and the Feds to ask. I run team with my Brother and we run a Dedicated Expedited Run we do twice a week and have been on for the last 10yrs. I do 75% of the driving and my Brother does all the physical stuff. I don’t have any problems while I’m driving. I just can’t do any physical stuff quickly anymore or walk very far. I have a Handicap Placard in the truck for parking.
John B says
I have asthma and have had it under control for 16 years. Yet, each year I am told that I have to have a PFT preformed in order to issued a one certification. I am in Mississippi. I can not find anywhere were it states the requirements for asthma, please advise.
Trucker Docs™ says
@John
The CME is looking at the potential risk of an attack and so he is ordering the test. It is not a standard requirement, but the CME’s call, if he wants it. You could try a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and that you have it fully under control. Documentation is what he wants to cover his decision making process.
Mary says
Can a person that is on oxygen pass the DOT physical to be a school bus driver?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Mary
This will depend on your State’s variances. Contact your local drivers license to get the details.
Bob T says
In the state of Tennessee is a driver required to take a breathing exam if they have smoked cigarettes for many years…I have never heard of this before when renewing in other states.
Thanx Bob
Trucker Docs™ says
@Bob
The CME can request one if he feels that there may be a safety issue. And if he wants to do that test in his own office, then it is up to you whether you want them to do it or you can go to your primary doctor and have your doctor do it.
It is not the CME’S duty to perform other tests. His job is to determine medical fitness for duty, period.
James says
Hi,
Last year I had a lump removed from my neck, that was diagnosed as Cancerous.
I had 35 Radiation Treatments, and 4 Chemo sessions.
I have had several scans since then, and have been declared Cancer Free.
I have been lifting weights, 4 days a week, and running 5 days a week,
since released by my doctors.
My Blood pressure is perfect,
my Blood sugar is perfect,
20% Body fat, currently no known health problems at all, and probably in the best shape of my life…and I was an athlete in school, and I’m MUCH stronger now….
Would the Cancer that I HAD effect my ability to get a CDL, and a job driving a truck now?
Trucker Docs™ says
@James
You should do fine. Get a note/medical release form from your primary doctor explaining you present health condition and take it with you. That information will help the CME in his decision making process. Good Luck
Jennifer v says
I have COPD and recently went through an exacerbation due to smoldering battery fumes leaking into my bus . I went to the ER and got IV steroids and a breathing treatment. Also went to my pulmonary spec and had a pulmonary function test. The results were that I needed to have 1 L of oxygen only while ambulating.. since I don’t need it while driving can I still drive interstate?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jennifer
Make sure you take all your test results with you when you go for your new medical certificate, also have a medical release form completed by your doctors. That should answer the questions that the CME will have. Also explain the type of driving that you do routinely, it will help in the CME’s decision making process. Good Luck
Stacey says
I am a CDL examiner in NY. I had a company call me today asking this…
They have an employee that had a CDL exam with no physical abnormalities documented, other than being overweight, who received a 2 year certification (expires 2018). Since then, the employer has identified work habits that they feel indicate some kind of sleep disorder… the employee is frequently late, has been found napping in their vehicle and has complained to another coworker of feeling drowsy during the daytime.
The employer has spoken to the employee about their suspicious behavior and recommended to the employee they have a sleep study conducted. The employee denies any sleep disturbances and is resistive to pursuing any sleep studies.
I know the FMCSA does not have any hard fast rules requiring sleep studies. My question is… Can an employer mandate an employee to have a sleep study or seek a medical evaluation based on suspicion of OSA when the employee has already been evaluated and has a valid CDL that’s not expiring for another year?
I guess the employer is saying…it’s no different than sending an employee for a drug screen for suspicious behavior.
The question then becomes…if the employer does not have these rules/regulations in their job description/handbook, can they legally require an employee seek medical attention based on observed behavior?
Thanks in advance for your help. I’m Googled out on this one.. 🙂
Trucker Docs™ says
@Stacey
We would say, from a safety issue, if the company feels that the driver has a potential safety concern then they have the right to request an evaluation. If the request is not fulfilled, then the company may have the right to dismiss the driver due to non-compliance regarding the safety issues. This one won’t be found in the FMCSA guides, but is more about the company and their safety requirements.
james k says
if you failed a dot exsam why on the road…go home to your home state do you have to return to the same state to get recirtifid
Trucker Docs™ says
@James
You can go to any examiner, in any state, as long as the examiner is certified by NRCME/FMCSA to do DOT medical exams. Each examiner who is certified has a National Registry #.
Roger B says
Recently spent 3days in the hospital with blood clots in my lungs was released to go home I’m now on eliquid 5mg twice a day I feel fine and breathing is back to normal and BP is better than it has been in years. My question is there a set amount of time I have to stay off the Rd before I can go back to work or is it at the descrection of my primary care physician
Trucker Docs™ says
@Roger
As long as you have a medical release form from your doctors, then, if everything else is normal, you should be able to get a new medical card and get back on the road.
Eric says
I recently have taken a dot physical and my bmi was to high so they gave me a 3 month card and said i need to get a sleep apnia test done. I had the test done and it came back negative but it said that hypoxia was present. What does that mean for renewing my cert.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Eric
Hypoxia is a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level.
This should be followed up with a visit to your primary doctor to make further determinations as to the direction this needs to go. Once the situation has been resolved, then have your doctor complete a medical release form for you and you should be good to go from there, if everything else is normal.
James F says
I was diagnosed with copd. FEV is 49. Arterial blood gas test was 95.7. I have a medical release from my pulmonologist; condition is stable. I am not having any symptoms- no shortness of breath, not using a rescue inhaler. Will this disqualify me from retaining my CDL?
Trucker Docs™ says
@James
FMCSA is looking for a 65% or better FEV. If you can have your doctor sign off on a medical release form for you and have him explain what his findings reveal, along with a working prognosis, then you have a better chance with the CME. All available information present at the time of the DOT examination is a huge help to the CME to make the best decision.
Tom H says
I recently fell and suffered a partial pneumothorax. My lung reinfloated within 2 days. Does DOT have a length of time I have to wait before I can drive a cmv?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Tom
Your fall and subsequent injury invalidated your medical card. As soon as you can get a new medical examination and demonstrate fit for duty status to the CME, you are good to go.
Jacqueline L says
I live in Miami but used to drive over the road. I keep up my CDL every 2 yrs. In the past 2 yrs I’ve had 2 very bad asthma attacks, one of which I had to be hospitalized. Now it’s under control, but I can still have a minor attack. Will getting a handicap sticker to park closer to buildings affect my over the road CDL?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jacqueline
Not if you can continue to pass the FMCSA guideline requirements for the DOT medical certificate.
Mike says
I had my lung collapse 8 yrs ago due to smoking. Since then I dont smoke and I’ve had no problems out of it since. Will they fail me because of it.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Mike
No, but to be ahead of the game have your primary doctor fill out a medical release form for you explaining that you have had no issues with your lungs for many years.
Wilfredo P says
I had my thyroid remove 2 years ago due to cancer. I only use levotyroxine 200 MCG a day to replace my thyroid function. I don’t have any impairment to drive a motor vehicle. Do you now if this would be a problem to obtain my DOT medical card?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Wilfredo
Just make sure you take a medical release form from your primary physician explaining your situation and medication usage, after that you should be fine.
Tim says
I was told that a large mass was found in my chest during a cat scan, I have also started to pass out sometimes when I cough, told I had moderate copd. I’m fairly sure my cdl days are over if I understand the law right. As these can have an effect on the safe operation of a commerical vehicle?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Tim
Correct, you are starting to have issues that will effect safety.
paul says
I had lower back surgery in 2010 and now take vicoden daily for cronic back pain and now am going to have a disc in my neck fused will this stop me from getting my medical card I need it both to drive crane and to operate
Trucker Docs™ says
@Paul
Once the surgeries are complete and you are fully recovered, you want to have a medical release form from your doctors. Have them explain your medication needs and reactions, if any, to the meds. If everything works out you should be in pretty good shape as a crane operator.
D. R. says
I have cope I’m on prescription inhalers and alprazolam .25mg for a touch of anxiety. I passed all other requirements of DOT physical except my blood oxygen level was at 90. I have a oxywatch at home meter I check out at normal (for me) at 90-93. Dr. Failed me for DOT. What is acceptable(passing) level for person with copd? Thank you.
Trucker Docs™ says
@ D.R.
Considering that normal is 95 to 100, then the CME may be looking for another confirmation from your primary doctor. Try getting a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and situation. If your doctor will sign off and all else is normal, then the CME can and will take all of the available information into consideration regarding your medical certificate.