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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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Nick says
I had taken a medical exam to drive a truck between states. My history as a smoker lead to a breathing test where the results were inconclusive. The examiner signed my card for 3 months and told me if I go see a pulmonary doctor and they clear me the examiner will extend my card to the 2 year mark.
Saw a pulmonary Dr., said no COPD and test came back great, also said original examiner did the test wrong.
Go back to original examiner and now they are saying it is illegal to extend to the 2 year mark and ill have to pay the 100.00 again and take a new test with the people who got it wrong in the 1st place. Does this sound correct? Is it illegal to extend even though I fulfilled my part?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Nick
According to the FMCSA, it would be illegal to extend without a new medical examination.
Jared says
I have stage 4 pulmonary sarcoidosis will I be able to pass my physical exam
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Jared
The condition is going to raise questions and will require your most recent test results. Be as prepared as possible with medical release forms, without restrictions, and medical documentation.
Robert D says
A driver friend of mine in NC gets severe headaches. He has to pull over for 15 to 20 minutes to get oxygen which relieves the pressure while driving. Would this be something that will disqualify him from driving with a CDL-A. He thinks it might be allergy related, but has not been checked thoroughly by cat scan or MRI etc. for some other medical condition
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Robert D
He really needs to determine the cause of his condition. Then he could determine how to treat it, correctly.
B. S says
Can a driver be certified with a tracheostomy?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ B. S
It is going to raise questions from the examiner. Be prepared with documentation and medical releases prior to the DOT examination.
Ctf says
I had a dvt and pe from this I did pass in the field i.e. my heart stopped before the defibrillator was used by the paramedic my heart started to beet on it’s owen this happened at work just after I backed into a dock I went down going to talk to the dock Forman ok a brief history about the clots they were developed from a on the job injury in my right ankle that is now a permanent injury I was on eliquest for 1 year clots are clear from my leg and lungs but was told if I am not careful another clot could develop because of the injury because of this I have been told I will be disqualified for life is this true
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Ctf
You are going to need medical releases and doctors documentation from this point on. Your condition is going to present with plenty of questions from any CME/DOT examiner, so be prepared.
Richard in Milwaukee says
I was treated for PE that the workman’s comp commission determined occurred on the job. I was hospitalized for treatment. DOT regulations state that after having been hospitalized for PE that I was disqualified from work for 12 weeks, although the treating physician had released me and signed a return to work form two weeks after I was admitted to the hospital. As a side note I had a current prescription for Xeralto at the time of both exams.
After sitting on the sidelines for 12 weeks I had to go in for another DOT Fed Med exam, because of the PE I came away with a one year fed med card.
Mark T says
I have COPD I DO 2 INHALERS A PLUS I HAVE MY RESUE INHALER. I DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS IF I FAIL MY DOT PHISICAL BECAUSE I DONT PASS MY BREATHING TEST. CAN I FILE TEMPORY DISABILITY FROM MY WORK BECAUSE I NO THEY WILL LET ME GO. I LIVE IN NY STATE
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Mark T
You need to check with disability for the best answer. Even with state variances for school bus drivers, you may have difficulty passing the medical certification examination.
Jeremy says
Hi, I was shot in a robbery 2 years ago.. I had a collapsed lung and injured diaphragm. I completed a long function test and the result was I have 87% lung capacity on my right lung and 100% on my left lung… Will I be able to get Dr.s permission to drive a cmv?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Jeremy
Get a medical release form from your treating physician, with no limitations, and you should be good to go.
Darrel says
I was just told by my pulmonologist, after reviewing my recent sleep study, that he wants me to use oxygen while sleeping in addition to my cpap. Is this disqualifying if using ir only while sleeping?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Darrel
It is going to require additional information and documentation from your doctor. The CME will have questions and will need copies of your test results, before he will make any decisions.
Tammy says
My husband was just told the same thing O2 while sleeping with his CPap he is an OTR driver. So the concentrator would have to be in the truck. Will this also be up to the CME ?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Tammy
Yes. And he will need further medical documentation from his primary physician to support the need for the O2.
Michael says
I was diagnosed with stage 3 COPD by my Dr. My number was 36. Just wanted to know if this will affect my medical card. Thanks
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Michael
Your COPD is going to raise questions, so be prepared to provide supporting documentation and a medical release form from your doctors.
Len D says
Surprised they don’t have yo on Oxygen with numbers that low. Mine are 39
Less than 30 the put you on lung transplant list.
Darryl B says
Hello, I have sleep Apnea and a CPAP machine. I’ve been off the road for 5 years now, I wish to drive locally. I have a Class A. I also wear hearing aids as well. Is there any hope for a guy like me?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Darryl B
Plenty of hope for you.
Adam L says
I have Had to renew My CDL Class B the last two years Last year was the first time I had to be checked out for sleep Apnea. I went along with the Dr appointment then to the Special list who gave me a Take home test to do cause my insurance. I passed the test. Now this year i have to go back through all this mess again because a Substitute Dr filling in measured my neck which was the same size as last year “18 inches” the only difference is I gained weight, instead of losing. from this time last year. If i passed it once why am i being forced into to doing it again? this is a lot of money coming from a single fathers pocket cause my insurance wont cover it all. any help is welcomed
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Adam L
If you had a sleep study done just last year, then you should not have to re-do the whole sleep thing again. Also, you are a class B driver being held as a class A examination?
Natheil C says
O have not been driving since january my wife was in a car accident so I’ve been taking care of her had to get a linecook job my question is that my medical card expires 08/09/2018 and I have not been using my cpap machine since I’ve been off the road for six months
What to do since I have no report for my cpap machine
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Natheil C
The examiner is going to need a 30 day readout, so the best you can do is start using the machine asap and hold on getting the new medical card examination until you can provide the needed documentation.
Carol says
If a driver has a condition that requires a PICC line connected to a pump, is he still allowed to keep his CDL and drive bus?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Carol
School bus, tour bus, nursing home bus, would all fall under the states variances and your best answer will come from them.
Martin says
Hi my friend was diagnosed with lung cancer he has completed chemo and the mass is reduced by more than half. He has no respiratory issues at all. It was just noted on a chest X-ray.
Can he still drive a commercial truck
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Martin
If he can pass the DOT medical certification examination and supplies the CME with the proper medical release and documentation, then he should be good to go.
Martin says
Pass as far as what test? Or examination ? Pulmonary function test??????
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Martin
The DOT medical certification for commercial drivers. He may also be required to provide a copy of his last pulmonary function test.
jerry says
I have coppel tunnel on both of my hands I just can put them flat down but have plenty of strength in them is this a problem for a dot phycical
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jerry
It becomes more of an issue when you start losing feeling in your hands. Numb hands on the wheel do not give you good feedback as to what else may be happening with the vehicle. Outside the DOT you may want to find a doctor that does ART (active release technique) in your area to determine if they can help with your situation.
Jen says
I am 39 years old with Hypothyroidism as my only health history in which I go to my family doctor every 6 months for a prescription and to monitor blood work. I am over all very healthy and fit. I went in for a medical exam yesterday they would not pass me because they said my urine showed a urinary tract infection went back today no sign of UTI, but now say since I am a smoker over 35 I have to pay out of pocket to have a lung capacity test. I have never had breathing problems of any kind. Is this really something I have to have done?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Jen
It is a recommendation from the FMCSA, but should have some supporting evidence before making that request. Go get a second opinion from another DOT examiner.
John says
I use prescription oxygen when not at rest. When at rest, includes while driving I am able to maintain 92%-97%SpO2. I keep a generator with me so during hook up and stops at rest areas or any other non driving duties I am able to keep my SpO2 % in the 90’s.
So if I do not use supplemental O2 while driving am I legal. Class B pulling vacation trailers.
Trucker Docs™ says
@ John
As an interstate driver you would have to explain to the examiner what your job entails and the amount of hours that you drive. You are class B, but hauling interstate, so make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation and have that in hand when you go for your DOT examination. The information helps the examiner make a more informed decision.
Heather A says
My significant other uses a CPAP machine regularly for sleep Apnea. When he needs the card read for his DOT physical in Wisconsin. I was wondering does it have to be read by someone official or can I print off the reports using the sleepyhead website, which are the same reports that gets printed off when we take the card into someone?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Heather
As long as the report is less than 30 days old, then you should be able to simply pull the report and print it for him to take into the examiners office.
Mark W says
I’ve had both a traumatic and a spontaneous Pneumothorax that required surgery. I’d like to obtain my Class A CDL as a plan B career plan. Is the history of a spontaneous lung collapse a problem?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Mark
It will raise questions by the medical examiner so make sure you have a medical release form from your primary physician and your pulmonary specialist. The medical examiner may request a recent pulmonary test.
Eddie B says
pulmonary dr. says i have emphysema short of breath, cpap machine at night with oxygen 2.5
can i drive a truck while on oxygen
Trucker Docs™ says
@Eddie
What kind of truck driving? Intrastate?
You would not qualify as a Class A interstate driver.