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Q&A
What if I’ve have a Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
What if I’ve have coronary artery bypass surgery?
What if I’ve have angioplasty surgery or stents?
What if I’ve have ventricular tachycardia?
Can I get a DOT medical card if I have a defibrillator?
What if I take nitroglycerine for angina?
My medical certificate only expires in nine months. What if I recently developed a medical condition that I couldn’t drive. Can I drive truck again now?
Even if you currently have a ‘current’ medical certificate, you are prohibited from driving a CMV with any medical condition that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, and before resuming operation of CMVs, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have a Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
You will need to be off work for at least two months. You will need to get an Ejection Fraction and Exercise Tolerance Test, and be cleared by your cardiologist before returning to work. This is a disqualifying medical condition, so once it is resolved, and before resuming operation of a CMV, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have coronary artery bypass surgery?
You will need to be off work for at least three months. You will need to get an Ejection Fraction and Exercise Tolerance Test, and be cleared by your cardiologist before returning to work. This is a disqualifying medical condition, so once it is resolved, and before resuming operation of a CMV, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have angioplasty surgery or stents?
You may return to work once you’ve been cleared by your cardiologist, which may be as soon as one week after the procedure. You will need to get an Exercise Tolerance Test three to six months after the procedure, and again at least every other year. This is a disqualifying medical condition, so once it is resolved, and before resuming operation of a CMV, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have ventricular tachycardia?
If you have recurring episodes you should be evaluated by a cardiologist to see if the underlying cause of the ventricular tachycardia is disqualifying.
Can I get a DOT medical card if I have a defibrillator?
The defibrillator is a disqualifier for inter-state driving. The defibrillator is designed to correct problems when they occur, but it still leaves a safety risk.
You may be able to drive inter-state, based on your state’s regulations.
What if I take nitroglycerine for angina?
Taking nitroglycerine is, of itself, not a disqualifier. The medical examiner may require an evaluation by your treating physician to make sure that your angina is stable.
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can i keep my dot physical after a Watchman Device and keep driving comercial vehicles
@ edward p
You will need to have a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination done before returning to driving. Once you pass the medical you will be fine for driving. Medical card will, most likely, be limited to one year at the time.
I just had a heart attack and had a stint put in, my medical card doesn’t expire until Dec 2022 do I have to get another DOT done now to go back to work
@ Daniel
Yes, DOT/FMCSA requires a new medical examination to determine ‘fit for duty’ status.
Hi i have defibrillator my hart doctor call it Borgata syndrome going on 12 years never gone off. it may in my deep sleep between 2 and 4 at night when hart beat is the slowest . Can i get medical card
@ donald h
All will depend on the type of work/driving you will be doing.
After bypass surgery how many years do I have to continue to get the infraction echo and treadmill test.
@ Jeff j
DOT/FMCSA for a class A interstate driver, every two years.
Why when you have no symptoms? My Doctor forces me to get one every year, even though I do not have any symptoms.
My husband had a “mild stroke” in May. He was found to have high blood pressure and has since been placed on two different low dose blood pressure meds with control. He has been released from physical therapy and has no long term impairments. His CDL we just found out was cancelled. We’ve been told everything from he can’t drive for a year after a stroke, to one month, to 3-4 months. Obviously he’ll need to get another DOT physical before going back. But can you tell us if there is a true “time limit” of him being able to re-take his physical and get back on the road. He drives in Colorado and Kansas. Thank you.
@ Lyn
For a class A cdl holder, traveling interstate, DOT/FMCSA has a one year waiting period following a stroke. You could check into intra-state only. It falls under the state guidelines and variances and are more lenient during his waiting period.
I HAD SURGRY ABOUT 33 YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD. IT WAS TO REPAER THE VALVE BETWEEN THE HEART AN LUNG. IT JUST HAD A LITTLE HOLE IN IT. I JUST DONT HAVE ANY PAPER WORK ON IT AN HAVE NEVER HAD ANY HEART PROBLEMS OR ANYTHING. WHOULD THEY DISQUALIFY ME ON MY DOT?? BECAUSE OF IT…
@ Austin
No, you should be fine.
I went in for physical 4 months ago they said I have a stent but I don’t went in for heart cath end getting blood clot in leg in hospital heart cath came out good that was back in 2004 .now they saying I have to go in for stress test mydoctor cannot figure out way went to cardiogus give me ekgs said I didn’t need a stress test send letter with me saying I was good to drive and I don’t have cad a they still want stress test
@ Bruce e
Go somewhere else for a second opinion.
They put hold for 45 days so I didn’t think the work they I can’t drive until they clear me
@ Bruce E
This does not make any sense.
My husband had a two-way bypass 15 years ago, he’s been hauling trailers with DOT regulations for about 10+ years now. The past few years he’s been told he has to have an echo and a stress test every year for his DOT PHYSICAL, and they’re only good for one year. My question is , does he ever get a reprieve and be able to go two years or more in between, and does he still have to have a stress test every time? He sees his cardiologist yearly and is followed without any problems since his surgery.
@ Anna
Not sure why the examiner is requiring a stress test every year. DOT/FMCSA for a class A driver is a stress test every two years. That has been the requirement for many years. If he has a lesser class cdl, then he falls under the states guidelines and variances, which are more lenient than the DOT/FMCSA.
This is good to know. Do you know if there are different regulations in California because that’s where we live and where his license is?
Thanks for your help
@ Anna
You need to check with California drivers licenese department for their rules and regulations.
I’ve had a pass maker put in to control my AFib. Is that a disqualification. Assuming one passes all other guide lines such as a stress test.
@ Roger G
The medical examiner will request some supporting documentation to aid in his decision making process, but the pacemaker is not a disqualifier.
Had Triple bypass 6 years ago, did a stress test that says negative, but this note here is what I question:
Exercise
Test was stopped due to fatigue. Symptoms: DOE. Arrhythmias: rare isolated. I got up to 154 bpm just missing the 160 for 100% blood pressure maxed out at 178/88?
@ Kenneth
The test was still negative and with good results. Should not be a major issue.
I had two stents put in april 2021. All is fine benn working on a golf course
maintenance no problems. I just took a job driving a local bus.
I have aalway had a cdl; had a recent stress test in 2022 showed no problems
and infraction is 60%. blood pressure is great no problems walk 3 miles
every day. can i still get a cdl and maintain it.
@ bob
You should be fine.
I was just diagnosed with AFIB and was prescribed medication, can this disqualify me for my renewal of my DOT card?
@ Douglas
It will depend on the severity of the condition and the medications. You will need to be on the meds for 30 days or so, to rule out ab-reactions to the medication. You will be ask for some supporting documentation, to aid in the CME’s decision making process.
I will have my 5 year anniversary of a heart attack and stents prior to my next medical card renewal in December 2022. My last stress test was December 2021.
Is it accurate that after 5 years you have to have a stress test every year?
My understanding was stress test every other year with yearly release from heart doctor. What should I prepare for this renewal?
@ Rob
Stress test every two years, no changes via DOT/FMCSA.
I had a heart valve replacement with a mechanical heart valve what forms if any do I need to get my medical card Asking the fmcsa is useless they cannot answer my question on the matter
Thanks
@ Robert B
You will need a medical release form from your doctors and a full return to work without restrictions or limitations. No special form is needed from DOT/FMCSA. The CME may want stress test results to aid in his/her decision making process
I had an SCA due to a bad arrhythmia 13 years ago. Since then I’ve had a CRT/D and medications that have kept my ventricles synchronized, and the defibrillator has never fired. Can I get a medical card?
@ RonH
Class A interstate, DOT/FMCSA says No. Lesser class cdl’s or intra-state only, maybe. Check with your local drivers license department for their regulations regarding a defb. unit.
What if I’m a recovering alcoholic with a rehab stint a year ago and clean since and get a Vivitrol shot once a month? Will I get medical clearance?
@ Zach
The CME mat request some additional information from your D/AAC and physician, but if all checks out you could be OK.
What if I had a Cardiac Arrest a year ago and was given CPR and survived and am in the best physical shape I’ve been in years. Will they give me a medical clearance?
@ Craig
The CME is going to request additional information from your doctors and may request stress test results from within the past two years. It will depend on the CME’s opinion given all of the information and examination findings.
How much time do I need to take off after an aortic valve replacement that was done by open heart surgery before I can resume my truck driving job I drive all 48 states
@ Victor C
3 months and full release from cardiologist with a LVEF of 40% or better. Medical card will be limited to one year at the time.
Someone with a triple bypass over five years what is required to get a medical card for my cdl
@ Anthony
Medical release form from your cardiologist, without restrictions or limitations, and a stress test done within the past two years.
Will an implanted loop recorder disqualify me from getting a DOT medical card? I’m having one placed because I showed a 4-5 second pause on a 30- day event recorder, but that event had no symptoms.
@ Joe L
It will raise questions with the examiner. The CME may only provide a short medical card until results are in.
Can you still keep your cdl with a catheter
@ Dale
Your cdl is a state issued document, so most likely you would be able to keep it. You will have to provide additional documentation when you go for your DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.