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.
Will a abnormal PVC count of the heart disqualify you from passing your DOT medical exams?
@ Troy
If the count is too low, then it could be a factor. Your DOT medical examiner will be looking for supporting documentation from your doctors regarding your situation. He will then base his decision on all available information.
We have a driver who went through surgery for an aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) literally the day before his medical certificate expired. He called the facility where he usually gets this exam and was told he would have to wait 3-12 months due to his having had this surgery. This isn’t very conclusive information, and they provided no further information for him. Is there a set procedure/checklist of to-do’s/timeframe he needs to go through, assuming his doctor who performed the surgery signs off on his health?
@ T.H.
DOT/FMCSA, 3 month waiting period and medical cards will be limited to one year at the time, for a class A cdl holder.
Is this the same for Class C?
@ T.H.
Class C cdl’s fall under your states guidelines and variances. Best to check with your states DLD for the best answer.
does my cardiologist need to clear me every 3 months ???? Do you expect me to have a stress test every 3 months
@ Bill
DOT/FMCSA requires a stress test every two (2) years. Your cardiologist will need to clear you every time you go for a new medical certification examination.
What are the guidelines for thoracic aneurysm certification?
@ Amy
Less than 3.5 cm and a yearly medical certificate.
We have a CDL OTR driver the got pneumonia and then we were told he was hospitalized as it transferred to the heart.
When he was released, we were told it was a infection in the heart from his pneumonia. Now he is going to renew his physical but the doctor that is doing the physical will not do one until he has a stress test.
Why would they require a stress test for this, or is there more than likely more that we are not being told?
@ Mark T
Most likely more than you are being told. The CME would not request a stress test on what you have told us, unless he is weighing the possible health risk to the driver.
how many times does my cardiologist need to clear me ??????
Have a driver that went to hospital for heart issues. no heart attack. While there, they found bad blockage, did quadruple bypass. he has been off for 2.5 months. He is now returning to work. Previously had 1 yr med card due to high blood pressure. Says his Dr. said he does not need to redue med card since he didn’t have a heart attack. What is the standard here?
@ Dave McQ
DOT/FMCSA class A drivers. ANY situation/injury/illness, etc. which takes a driver from behind the wheel requires a new medical certification examination.
I have a class A license. I had my aortic valve replaced with a prosthetic valve in May of 2021. After 3 months I had the Echochardiagram and renewed my medical card.
Summer of 2022 had another Echochardiagram and all is well.
My cardiologist said I don’t need another echochardigram until 5 years from now.
My medical card needs to be renewed in September 2023.
Does DOT require another echochardiagram before renewal?
@ Bob P
DOT/FMCSA requires, for a class A cdl, a new stress test every two years from your last one.
I worked for UPS for 10 years as a driver and was diagnosed with LBBB (left Bundle Branch Blockage) no other history dealing with my heart. I had to get a Pacemaker/defibrillator and was disqualified from DOT. My cardiologist said i was good to work and would write an letter if need be but the doctor was not having it. what should be my next steps.
@ T
It all depends on the class cdl you carry. Class A, you will not pass for a medical card unless you go intra-state only. Lesser class cdl, you are under your states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Your examiner must know the differences.
Driver has new onset Congestive heart failure 10/22. Cardiologist has given clearance letter with Ejection fraction between 40-45. Dot requires MET of 6 . Cardiologist says since he had cardiac cauterization he won’t do stress test.
Can this driver get 1 year certification?
@ Cynthia E
The CME will have to take all available supporting medical documentation into consideration. The drivers LVEF is within DOT/FMCSA’s requirements, so he is good there. The medical examiner may still require a stress test, based on his findings.
I had a stent put in 9 years ago been getting stress test every other year .
When can I stop doing the stress test getting a little expensive ?
@ Rick
DOT/FMCSA every two years stress test results are needed to maintain a class A cdl. No known deadline for the stress test.
What if an employee had a mild heart attack, no stents 1 overnight stay in a hospital. Can he return to work with just a release from his doctor? Does he have to get a new medical certification to return?
@ Donna W
He needs a new medical certification examination before returning to driving, if he is a class A driver.
i had an mi early jan! had to have a stent put in. Cardio has cleared me to return, and so has the DOT doctor i seen, have new physical card , yet company refuses to let me come back.what can i do? They want me to see their doc, stating my new card is invalid
@ Jon
DOT/FMCSA has a two month waiting period following an MI.
Employee had a heart attack on 2/12/22, had a stent put in. Cardiologist released him to full duty with no restrictions effective 2/20/23. His current DOT medical certification doesn’t expire until December of 2023. Can we let him come back to work now?
@ Donna W
Your driver must have a new medical certification examination before returning to driving.
I had an Afib episode on 2/4, returned to Sinus Rhythm in hospital. Company wants me to get recertification for DOT. Hospital Cardiologists said there were no underlying issues that caused the incident. Can I still get recertified??
@ Bill McB
You will need to bring supporting medical documentation from your cardiologist at the time of your re-certification.
Currently have my DLT certificate expires in March 1st discovered that I have a heart murmur add the procedure they found no blockages gave me some medication go back in 30 days Will I still be able to qualify for my DOT
@ Mike
Yes, just bring any supporting medical documentation you may have when you do your DOT/FMCSA medical examination.
Hello!
I’ll be having an ablation for WPW. Will that affect my fed med card?
@ Tricia
It will require a new medical examination, once released to return to work. The CME may request additional supporting medical documentation.
Retired from driving (class A) let my medical card expire. Had bypass surgery Jan 2011.
Can I get medical card for intrastate driving
without taking a stress test,?
@ Brian
If you are going to be intra-state only you will fall under your states regulations. They may request a class A medical certification examination first. Best to check with your local DLD for their requirements.
I had open heart surgery in February. 2015.Had the aortic valve replaced. . After5 years I had to do a stress test. How often do I have to take a stress test? I have been told every year. also been told every two years. which is it is my?
@ Russ B
For class A, DOT/FMCSA requires a stress test every two years.
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal a-fib way back in 2005. It is well-controlled with medication, and have not had any problem renewing my medical certificate annually. My current certificate expires on 2/3/23, but can’t see my cardiologist until 2/1/23. Can I have my DOT physical done before I see my cardiologist, or do you require supporting documentation from him?
@ John O
Best if you see your cardiologist first and then DOT medical examiner.