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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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Looking for what DOT requires are for medical recertification after a MI. I know there is a 2 months waiting period, cardiologist clearance, and my lvef was 61%, is this all I need for my DOT medical exam to be recertified? I have seen conflicting info if I need a ETT stress testing or not.
@ Chris
It looks like you have everything, but the CME may want to see a recent stress test. Best to have it and it will be good for 2 years.
Good Afternoon Trucker DOC, I have no cardio problems. Underwent a Cat scan looking for something else when a Ascending Thoracic Aneurism of 4.3 cm was observed. I went to a Vascular Surgeon who said they do not perform surgery till above 5.5.
Will this be a problem on my next DOT Medical? A Google search says 3cm is the limit followed by a recommendation to go to 5cm as the limit. What is the current limit? Thanks
@ John M
The situation will raise questions with the CME. But with medical documentation from your cardiologist, it should not be an issue. The CME will want your condition monitored and may limit the time on your medical card for that purpose.
Thanks for Your fast Reply. Planning this Monday or Tuesday, hoping for the best. Feel more assured now.
Thanks, John
I was recently diagnosed with atrial fibulation (sp?) or afib – I am taking medicine to manage it and I have no symptoms in any case. I also have high blood pressure (managed). Can I still work as city bus driver (Denver, CO)?
@ Barrett H
Since you are not a class A cdl holder, you fall under your states requirements not federal DOT/FMCSA. Confirm with your local drivers license department and follow their process.
i had an arterial flutter ablation done, will I be able to drive school bus again in iowa?
@ dale
Most likely, since you fall under your states rules and regulations and not federal DOT/FMCSA. Best to confirm with your local drivers license department.
I was just diagnose with 30% EF can I still drive school bus
@ Barbara
As a school bus driver, you fall under your state guidelines and variances. Best to confirm with your local drivers license department for clarification.
Thank you for the fast response!
@ dale
You are welcome. Be Safe.
I had a Cardioversion for irregular heart beats. How long by Law do I need to be off work?
@ Edward S H
DOT/FMCSA for a class A cdl. You will need a full medical release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations. Documentation that the procedure was successful and the condition is stable. With all this information in hand, you can take a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.
How recent do the test results have to be for EF for heart failure. Can i use results from 12 months ago? 6 months?
I was diagnosed with a mild case of POTS and was wondering if this along with a deterioration of the jaw would disqualify me to hold a cdl or pass a dot exam?
@ Daniel
It will raise questions from any medical examiner. If you are trying for a class A cdl, then you will need documentation of a stable condition, plus a medical release form. Lesser class cdl’s will fall under your states regulations. So, confirm with your local drivers license department.
what if I have a heart murmur
@ Rodney S
If you and your primary physician are aware of this and you have a note from your primary stating this is a no issue murmur, then you are good to go. The CME needs to know that all parties are aware of the murmur.
I just got a pacemaker for a slow heart beat. Can I still drive a school bus?
@ Dave
Unless you are a class A cdl holder, you are probably OK. Best to confirm with your local drivers license department as your states rules and regs are different than those of the federal DOT/FMCSA.
Had a heart attack with stinting in the LAD Last October and was put back to work within 3 weeks and passing a stress test.
A little over a week ago I’m back in the hospital for another stint due to 90% blockage.
My question is did they send me back to work to soon and is it possible the stress from that helped aggravate the second?
Also how long should I be off work this time? It’s been less than a year between stints and I’m concerned not taking enough time off may cause permanent issues beyond the obvious.
@ Dan
These are questions you should be asking your cardiologist.
A friend will eventually need a TAVR valve, and his job requires that he holds an interstate CDL. Will that be possible?
My husband has a TAVR, but, he is intrastate only. Thank you.
@ Laura O C
With proper documentation following the procedure, they should be fine. The CME will need a medical release form from the doctors and a full return to work letter.
How soon can I drive a bus after I had a heart attack and stent placed to correct the problem?
@ Courtney A S
Depends on the class cdl you hold. Class A falls under the federal regulations and lesser class cdl’s are under your states regulations.
I have a class C
@ Courtney A S
You are under your states regulations and not federal regs. Best to confirm with your local drivers license department.
I have congestive heart failure stage C can I pass the CDL Medical exam?
@ Barry D P
For a class A cdl, you will have difficulty passing the federal medical certification examination. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the states requirements and regulations.
I have an Ejection Fraction of 20-25% Can I still drive my truck? Where does it state that I cannot drive with an EF that low?! I need to work.
@ Hamit
DOT/FMCSA for a class A, LVEF must be 40% or better. Lesser class cdl or intra-state only falls under the state regulations.
I have a CRT-D Model# G447 pacemaker/defibrillator. Will I be able to get my medical card in North Carolina?
@ Tony N
It will depend on the class cdl you are going to carry.
I had a Stent 6 years ago and 2 years ago had a mild heart attack not from blockage. Spasm. Cath was clean . Echo normal ekg normal, so I asked my cardiac dr since it’s been 2 years for a stress test. He refused to do it stating it’s not needed. My heart is completely healthy. Not on cardiac meds. Only bp meds and we’ll controlled by primary dr. Cardiac dr said he would write a letter stating I’m safe to drive cmv and stress test not needed. What do I do.
@ Stayce W
Most will depend on your cdl class. Class A fall under the federal government and lesser class cdl’s are under states requirements. Federal requires a stress test every two years. States have different regulations. You can see if the CME will accept the letter, if you are class A. It should be taken on a case by case basis, but no guarantees.
I have a bus driver in Ohio and he recently had a loop recorder placed for 5 years. Will this disqualify him from driving the CDL vehicle in Ohio.
@ Debora
Probably not an issue, do confirm with Ohio drivers license department for confirmation.
What EF percentage is required by DOT physical if you are a heart surgery partient
@ Helene
40% or better LVEF for class A cdl holders, required by DOT/FMCSA.
I had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) put in back in 2018, only as a precautionary measure because they said I have HOKUM, (Athletic Heart), or thickening of the heart wall. I have never had any heart issues prior to having this done and haven’t had any issues since, as well. I previously had a class A CDL and let it lapse way before I had the procedure. I just started a new job and really need to get my class A CDL back again. Do I need to have my cardiologist write a letter to the State telling them that I am medically fit to obtain a class A CDL, or is there absolutely no chance that I can be exempt from that restriction?
@ Brett
DOT/FMCSA you are restricted, but you could try Intra-state only. This puts you under the states regulations and requirements and not federal DOT/FMCSA. Check with your state DLD for guidance in this situation.
I have a defibrillator and was disqualified at my dot physical but it is turned off and my cardiologist will write a letter saying it is but the guy still disqualified me.can I fight this decision?
@ Brandon
Try FMCSA and see what they can do to help you out.