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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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I have to have a heart fibulator put into my chest can I still drive semi truck
@ Sherri
Depends on your class cdl. Class A medical certification will have new steps for you to follow.
I recently had an Aortic valve replaced and a mitral valve repaired. What is needed to pass the yearly exam?
@ Steve M
Letter of full release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations. Medical release form from your cardiologist.
Refraction score 35/40 can I drive commercial truck
@ Bill T
DOT/FMCSA for a class A cdl is 40% or better LVEF. Lesser class cdl’s fall under your states guidelines and variances.
Passed DOTphysical have refraction score 35-40 can I drive
@ Bill T
Depends on the class cdl you hold. LVEF must be 40% or better for a class A, according to DOT/FMCSA.
I had a stress test done recently and it said i have frequent pvc was curious to know if that would disqualify me from getting certified or not?
@ James s
PVC during stress testing is normal and unless your cardiologist sees some issue with it, then you should be fine for your medical certification examination.
I’ve been diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation with no symptoms. Can I continue to drive until I get scheduled for the repair. It my take up to six moths before the surgery.
@ Lon
If there are no symptoms, then yes.
What is the ejection fraction required by the Colorado DOT to qualify to drive a school bus?
@ Bill K
States may have different requirements from federal class A drivers. DOT/FMCSA requires a 40% or better. But confirm with your local DLD for your states requirements.
I had bypass surgery in 2013 with no complications. How often am I required to do the ett test at age 67. Every 2 years or yearly? Had issues wearing a mask yet achieved 7 Mets with no complications.
@ Spencer McN
DOT/FMCSA requires a stress test every two years.
I recently had a myocardial infarction and received a PCI to correct the problem. How soon can I return back to driving.
@ Lyndon J
2 month waiting period and then a full release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations. A medical release form from your cardiologist and a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.
I may have to have mitral valve repair or replacement. If this is done, will I be able to pass the CDL physical to drive
@ Richard M L
Once fully released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, you should be fine.
It is my belief that medical examiners fall under FMCSA and 19-A compliance. They do not follow under any Intrastate bus service, which only serves within a particular state. They’re not authorized to disqualify a driver’s medical condition if the driver is an intrastate driver. Is this all true?
@ Clyde P
Yes and no. The medical examiner should know the difference between federal DOT/FMCSA guidelines and regulations and his/her states guidelines and variances.
Some states have adopted the federal guidelines and others have not. So it can vary state to state. Too many examiners have wrongly assumed that a lesser class cdl driver or non cdl medical certification examination is the same as a class A, OTR driver. In our state, we had to follow, by state request, the federal guidelines. If the driver failed the examination due to a condition which would cause such a failure, then he/she would take the information to the state and the state issued a intra-state only license. But it all operates on a state by state basis.
How long will I have to be out of work after having a heart ablation. Do I have to renew my medical card after the ablation.
@ Anthony R
One month, then you will need a full release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations. And a new medical certification examination.
I had stress test that was a nuclear stress test. Can this be used instead of ett test
@ Marilyn
It should be acceptable.
I had an ablation procedure done a few weeks ago. Does this disqualify me from passing another dot exam
@ Don C
With a full medical release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, you should be good to go.
My question is I had heart surgery when I just came out of my mom’s wound they told my parents they had to do ER surgery because I wasn’t getting any oxygen to my brain they did the surgery and since the surgery I haven’t had any problems thankfully I’m 29 I’m trying to get my CDL license would a doctor pass me on the DOT
@ Christopher P
You should not have any issues with this, as long as all else is within normal limits.
I have a infection fraction 40% why can,t I get c s l medical cerficate
@ John A
Your LVEF is at 40%, which is OK to take the medical certification examination. Make sure you bring a medical release form from your cardiologist.
2017 had 2 stents, had stress test ok to Drive.2019 echocardiogram slight improvement ejection fraction 46 late 20/22 echo cardio gram ejection fraction 47. My
cardiologist said at this time an echo cardiogram is not medically necessary because of no symptoms and gradual improvement. can I still get my physical recertified without an echocardiogram? I only have a one year medical card and have been tested every other year since 2017
@ Keith
DOT/FMCSA for a class A driver, stress test every two years. We know of no exception to this ruling/regulation.
What is the lowest heart injection infection percentage for DOT certification
@ Reggie M
40% LVEF or better, DOT/FMCSA.
What is the regulation concerning Irregular heart beat
@ Susan S
The CME will have to guide you through this and it may require documentation from your primary physician or cardiologist.
My doctor ,is working with me , building my heart up , I seen in a text , A. Here of a 40 ,percent , is this the , infection fractor ,,40 percent,
@ Merlin b
DOT/FMCSA requires a 40% or better reading of a LVEF,(Left Ventricular Ejection Factor).