Please read through the Q&A before posting a question. This will help everyone to not have duplicate questions. Thank you!
If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to
ask your question in the comments section below.
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.
Can’t Find An Answer For Your Question?
If you have a question that you feel has not been answered, scroll down to the Questions and Comments box and post your question.
- Before posting, please make sure you are on the appropriate Category page, so that relevant questions and answers can be found by other drivers too.
- To save us all from zombie spammers, your question will not appear on this page until it has been approved.
- Trucker Docs™ will answer your question as soon as possible.
- Visit this page again soon to see our response.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
Your comments are also welcome.
I was just diagnosed with a-fib. Does this dis qualify me from renewing my Cdl medical card?
@ Carl V
It will require supporting medical documentation from your doctors, but you could still have a medical card. It may be reduced to a one year at the time card.
I had cardiac bypass surgery in September 1998. During a DOT physical exam taken this week, the examining doctor provided me with a form to take to my cardiologist to gather more information on the state of my heart health. The data was submitted to the examiner but the cardiologist would not sign the DOT Medical Examiner Letter to Clinician: Cardiovascular letter. Could this document be signed off by another cardiologist if he/she were comfortable with the stress/echo results I already have?
@ Kirk R
Of course it would be best if your present cardiologist signed off. He does not understand that he is not taking on any risk in the matter. You may get another cardiologist to sign off if he has all the available data to make his final decision. The CME then has the final say in the matter.
I a LVAD. Will I be able to get a class B or even qualify for a CDL?
@ Joel F
Your class B cdl will have the states requirements and not federal rules and regs. Check with your local DLD for guidance.
I had a Myocardial infarction and had a cath procedure done on a 90% blockage. 2 months have passed and took a stress test so that i can return to work that came back positive. Cardiologist is clueless as to why, I’ve lost weight, have my sugars in check 5.9 A1C, doing cardiac rehab.
Question is do I just take that positive stress test report to the DOT examiner with a letter from cardiologist? I’ve schedule an echo cardio stress test just to back up the original stress test. But the cost is adding up on trying to get back to work.
@ Ken B
The CME will need as much supporting documentation from your doctors as he can have. All the information is an aid in his decision making process. The CME may want to see the final results of the echo also. If so, he may provide a short term card until those results are completed.
Does it make a difference on what type of echoe is done?
Or trans echoe ( thru the throat ) of thru the chest? As one will be different reading from other
Just wondering for the ejection fraction
@ William B
LVEF must be 40% or better. That is what the CME will be looking for. And a medical release form from your cardiologist.
After a transfemoral aortic valve implant, when can a school bus driver resume duties.
I am a cardiovascular surgery Nurse Practitioner and have a patient asking.
@ christine B
Class B drivers fall under the states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Best to check with the states drivers license department for your best answer.
I had open heart surgery to replace aortic valve on 12/13/22 my company said I can’t return to work in till 3/13/23 is there a mandatory rule on this for Michigan
@ Craig H
For a class A interstate cdl holder, your company is correct. If a lesser class cdl or an intra-state only driver, you would fall under the states guidelines and regulations.
I had aortic value replacement what is the rules and regulations so I can go back to work driving semi’s locally surgery was 12/13/22 my company said I can’t come back to work in till 3/13/23 is this Michigan DOT rule
bypass with class b cdl what is required
@ Shawn R
It fall under the states guidelines and regulations, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Confirm with your local DLD.
I just had a pacemaker implanted, what is the required waiting period before I can return to driving a CMV?
@ Steve
1 to 3 months based on the reasoning for the implant. Medical card will be limited to one year at a time from this point on.
Can I get a cdl after a heart transplant?
@ Mike
With proper documentation and the abilities to operate a commercial motor vehicle, yes.
I have had AFib for over 10yrs and always have been give 2yr. Medical card ,I was just renewing 12/31/2022 and was told That I was only good for 1 yr. And needed a cardo letter for clearnce to drive what law has changed that I should know
@ Donald A
For a class A cdl, DOT/FMCSA has always been a one year medical certification. You are a class B driver and fall under your states guidelines and variances. Best to check with your local drivers license department to determine if there are exceptions to the DOT/FMCSA standards.
I just had a pacemaker put in for sick sinus syndrome. Just one lead to the right atrium. Also started taking a blood thinner and a beta blocker. Is it still a minimum of one month plus a clearance from my cardio physiologist before I can drive?
I have no other medical issues. I’m 69 yrs young.
Thanks
@ Jeffery J
The waiting period allows for things to settle in and make sure there are no complications as well as tolerating the meds.
Hubby had an MI in 2017. He had all the necessary work done to be Abe to drive bus again. He had an exercise stress ECG last year and was given his DOT card. New Dr is saying he must have his ETT result and an EF result. They left it quite late. What do we do now.
@ Carrie B
Depending on which class cdl your hubby holds should determine what test are needed. Class A, he needs to meet federal standards and requirements. Lesser class cdl, then he fall under the states guidelines and variances. If this is the case then check with your local DLD for guidance.
Post Cabg- after 3 mo waiting time, is yearly ETT after 5 years required?
@ Shannon
It may be indicated and the CME may request both the ETT and a LVEF result demonstrating 40% or better.
Wearing cardiac life vest defibulator and stage 5 kidney failure
@ Dean
And the question is?
I have a implantable cardiac monitor. Would I be able to get a CDL?
@ Erik n
You will have to provide medical documentation for your medical card. Your cdl is a state issued document, so check with your local drivers license department. (DLD)
Do you know what the restrictions are following a trans catheter aortic valve replacement/TAVR (through the artery in the leg)? The recovery period is 2 weeks. There is no sternotomy (open chest). I have not been able to find any updated data on this.
@ Kim
A 3 month post procedure waiting period, medical release form from cardiologist. Medical card will be for one year at a time.
After bypass surgery how many years do you have to get a stress test and echocardiogram done
@ Casey
Once every two years, as long as you are driving or trying to maintain your class A cdl.
I’m having a Cardiac Ablation. Would you no what the required time that the DOT will require before I can return to work. I have Flutter on the right side and AFIB on the left. Both will be repaired.
@ Ernie J
DOT/FMCSA, one month post procedure and clearance from your cardiologist. Medical card will be for one year at a time from this point on.