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Q&A
I have a hernia. Will this disqualify me from passing a DOT physical?
What if I have a limb impairment? Am I disqualified?
I have a hernia. Will this disqualify me from passing a DOT physical?
If the hernia does not interfere with your operation of a commercial motor vehicle, then there is no problem.
If you have pain and are limited in some way, then you should take care of the problem before it does become a serious problem.
I had hernia surgery three years ago. There is some scar tissue which causes a little discomfort from time to time but in no way renders me unable to perform any tasks. Will this cause me to fail a DOT physical?
During the examination you will be questioned regarding the hernia surgery. Just let the medical examiner know how this effects you and whether it interferes with your daily activities. Some companies have restrictions, but this is a company policy not a DOT regulation.
I have a hernia that does not give me any trouble. The doctor I saw for my DOT exam says I have to get it repaired before my next exam. What if my regular doctor says that we can do watchful waiting instead of surgery? What are my rights under the law about this?
The DOT examiner is looking at a progressive condition, but if you will take a note from your primary doctor who has evaluated your condition and understands what you really do for a living, then the DOT examiner should consider your primary doctor’s opinion. However, the final decision to certify you, or not, remains with the medical examiner.
What if I have a limb impairment? Am I disqualified?
It is possible to apply for an exemption. FMCSA has a certificate program for drivers with limb impairments. FMCSA also has a special certification program for drivers with missing limbs. (see FMCSA Skill Performance Evaluation)
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I had Rotatator cuff surgery 4 weeks ago and my certificate expires in 3 weeks. I know I can’t pass an exam right now. Is there something I can do so I don’t loose my CDL. Is there an extention of some kind?
I have a driver who went for DOT exam, and his arm was sore and the Nurse Practitioner would not pass him because he could not pass the arm resistance test. She told him he had to come back in 2 weeks after his arm got better to see if he could pass it then. Can he go to a different doctor and if he passes that drs. exam, can that be done?
@ Terry H
Short answer, Yes. FMCSA set specific guidelines for the medical examiner to follow. Part of the drivers job description, according to the FMCSA, requires a normal range of motion, without any limitations or restrictions.
I have been a truck driver for over 45 years. I just turned 65. Went in for my recert on 10/17/18 I have been carrying a cane for occasional use but I can walk without it. I made the mistake of taking it in with me to my physical and the physician asst. took one look at my cane and I knew I was in trouble. I walked across the room and back unaided. I bent over and I squatted down the only thing was on the squat I put my hand on the table to steady myself. On the form it says I meet standards but periodic monitoring required. That I’m qualified for 3 months if I have a SPE certificate. The company will not let me drive. What can I do?
@ James B
At the end of the 3 month certificate, you go get another DOT medical card somewhere else.
Hi I just went for my dot medical exam and my physical was put on hold. Doc said I need a clearance paper from my nephrologist. I had a kidney transplat early this year and they found protein in my urine.. Is there a certain form I could print out or is it just a note the doc writes? Thank you for your time.
@ Mike
Just have your doctor write a brief medical release form, without any restrictions, and you should be fine.
my name is Akhtar hafeez .I am 43 year old.i have a left leg effected by polio in my childhood.i am tring to get the cdl licence A ,B,C any kind of commercial driving licence. I can drive car automatic and stick shift easily.i can driver any automatic van car .i can walk and my normal daily work easily.please guide me what kind of commercial driving licence its bettere for me.i am really interested in class a and b.i have visited dot examiner doctor in Orlando florida.but doctor reject me for dot duties.kindley guide me or help me how i can get the dot test.
@ akhtar
Class A is long haul, interstate, and big rigs. Class B regs falls more under the states variances and may be a better chose. Your examiner must know the FMCSA guidelines and the state variances so he can make the proper evaluation for your medical certificate.
Can a driver with down syndrome be disqualified from a CDL or regular drivers license?
@ Terry W
You need to check with your local DLD for the best answer on this issue.
hello.. I have recently damaged my right wrist.. my question is, can I still train new recruits for my company without being able use 3 points of contact while climbing into the passenger seat.. I can safely do so but my boss’s are unsure.. (cannot push or pull anything over 5 pounds with right wrist)..
@ Charles P
If you are a class A license holder and unable to perform the duties of a class A holder without restrictions, then the answer would be no. Once fully released to return to work, without restrictions, a new medical certification exam is needed and you are back in business.
Scenario-
Driver with current CDL gets a urinalysis result back showing positive for a legally prescribed medication. Driver gets note from prescribing physician staying they can drive even with the prescription (as per FMCSA regulations). Safety manager at driver’s company says go get a DOT Physical. Driver goes and gets physical that evening (with prescription information included on long form) and walks out with a 2 year DOT medical card.
A few days later, same safety manager calls and says driver is medically disqualified because said manager sent the original urinalysis results to the doctor who qualified the driver, and that the doctor stated they hadn’t seen that prescription and arbitrarily disqualified the driver without additional phone calls, messages, request to come back in, etc.
Ultimately, my question is this. While I know the doctor has the ability to disqualify even if the driver’s primary says they are good to go, can the doctor say AFTER giving a medical clearance that the driver is disqualified despite it supposedly being based on information that was included with the original qualification? Basically like saying “oops, I changed my mind” and not even notifying the driver.
Apologies for the lengthy explanation, but this fiasco had been ridiculous. Yes, this is a current situation still actively being played out and I’m just looking for opinions while I research as well.
Cheers.
@ Seth
You should check with your state DLD to determine if your medical certificate has been disqualified. If the DOT examiner had all the available information, then there should be no “oops”.
Would I have to notify the recruiter or DOT physician about psoriasis?
@ Adrian c
No, to both questions.
I had one hip replacement,going in for the other hip replacement in a month,after recovery,having both knees replaced,then having treatment for osteoporosis arthritis in my spine,since out on std,being treated for high blood pressure,driving truck for 38 years,will all these keep me from driving a cmv or getting a med card
@ Dave G
If you can perform the duties of a cmv operator, following a full recovery and full work release (without restrictions), then you can return to work as a driver. You will need a medical release form from your doctors and a medical release form from your prescribing doctor for your BP meds.
After 6 months off work, because my employer said they had no light duty for me, and 6 weeks of Physical Therapy for my knee symptoms only, Dr. Released me to Full Duty, but still has me doing another 4 weeks therapy to address numbness, tingling, loss of sensation in same leg as knee. This was on 9-13-08. Employer expects me back on 9-17-08 as soon as I complete my DOT physical that morning. . This doesn’t make sense in my mind. In 6 months time I’m only now starting therapy for numbness, tingling and loss of sensation in my leg. . .which I reported from day one. . . .but now I’m expected to back to work full duty on 9-17-18 after completing my Dot physical that morning. . .here’s the kicker. . .the same medical office that is handling my workers comp will be doing my DOT physical.
@ Matthew
The doctors office will not pass you for a DOT medical certificate due to your WC and therapy. You, at present, do not qualify for the examination.
I am having surgery on my right foot for the second time in 12 years the first one they removed my little toe and bone all the way back to my ankle because of bone infection the bone is infected again this time they are removing infected metatarsal bone all the way up to the fourth digit I already have blance and trouble feeling pressure applying brakes how will this affect my cdl going forward
@ paul c
It should not effect your CDL, but does effect your medical certificate. You will need a new medical certificate once you have been fully released from your doctor.
If you have been driving over 20years,and downgraded your class A 2 1/2 years ago,now you want to drive again,but missing 4toes on right foot,since the late 70s,would I be able to get my medical certificate again?
@ Wilfewd R
If it does not limit your ability to operate a cmv safely, then you should be fine. Bring any supporting documentation with you, it helps the examiner in his decision making process.
I have a herniated disk in my neck, they initially wanted to perform surgery. After a few opinions, I found a doctor that chose to send me to Physical Therapy instead. I’ve been going to PT twice a week now for 3 months, next month in September I will only have to go once a week and once the month ends I will be done. My medical card expires within 4 days and I need to get it renewed. I am not taking any medications, my ROM is pretty much back to normal and I don’t experience any pain just occasional muscle tightness which my PT says can be alleviated by massage. I have started doing some light weight training also. Will mentioning my herniated disk prevent me from getting a 2-year medical card? In the meantime I have been terminated from my previous job because my FMLA expired, it’s a long story filled with lots of loopholes and nonsense. I just want to get back to work at a better company. Do I have anything to be concerned about or should I relax?
@ Jack
If you can perform the full ROM without discomfort or limitation, you should be fine.
I live in Minnesota and have a class B license and drive a flatbed straight truck. I have an interstate card because we cross into Wisconsin somtimes. I injured my midback two months ago putting my tarp away. I am still in physical therapy with work comp. I have been doing light duty work in our warehouse since the injury. My health card expired a few days ago and when I went to the dot doctor to recertify she disqualified me and said I need a skill performance evaluation because of my injury. I just need to know if this is true or is there an exemption in my case.
@ Scott K
Not true. You do not even qualify for the DOT examination with injuries, work limitations and WC. Once fully healed and releaased from all doctors care, then go for your DOT cert exam.
Can rheumatoid arthrist be a reason for failing the dot physical. It’s is not aggressive or noticeable. I just take meds for it.
@ Lisa
If it does not hinder your ability to operate a CMV, then there shouldn’t be any issues.
I had back surgery for a herinated disc in ‘98. In 2015 I had another herinated disc but I’m not on any medication. I lost 20 lbs and this helped a lot. Can this prevent me from CDL med card?
@ Lynn
Not the surgeries but the ability to perform the physical duties required of a CMV operator, without restrictions, will be the primary question.
Can I get a card missing 1 toe on both feet there both 2nd toes
@ Roger h
As long as you can perform the duties of a CMV operators job description, you should be fine. There will be questions as to the loss of the toes, ex. medical reasons or accident.
What about a shoulder replacement will I need to be cleard
@ Ray
Best with a medical release form from your doctor and no restrictions.
If you lose a toe due to having a diabetic ulcer, but otherwise have no issues, do you still qualify?
@ Charles M DuB
With medical documentation and a medical release from your primary, and all else on the exam is normal, yes
I recently saw a patient for DOT physical. Patient had lumbar discectomy roughly 7 weeks ago. Examination overall normal; good ROM, no spinal tenderness, and incision sites look like they are healing well. Patient only taking tylenol as needed for pain. Elevated BP on exam and so patient granted a 3 month certificate. Advised me that he had been cleared by his surgeon and has another follow up with the surgeon in 2 weeks. Since he is coming back in a few months anyways, I asked him to bring notes from the surgeon when he returns for BP check. If his exam was abnormal I definitely would have requested a note prior to certifying for 3 months. Was this appropriate? I find it is difficult as there really are no clear cut guidelines for MSK surgeries.
@ Chloe
If the driver was able to perform the duties of a CMV operator, in your opinion, and only his BP held him to a 3 months card, you are fine in your decision.
I have dm2 which is now under control with oral medication. I want to renew my dot medical card. I have over the last year had ambutation of 2 picky toes and half of my right great toe. The most recent was a month ago which was my left pinky toe. I have letters from my podiatrist and endroconologist both stating that in their opinions there is no restriction on me operating a cmv. Is that sufficient enough to pass the dot physical
@ Charles S
Make sure you are fully recovered and released from surgical care first. Also bring a copy of your last a1c results. It will help the examiner in his final decision making process.