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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 was in a motorcycle accident last year and lost function in three fingers on my left hand. Could I be in danger of losing my cdl?
@Mark
Not in and of itself, but you will need to demonstrate you medical fitness for duty. That may require a skills performance evaluation before being able to return to driving. If you can perform the duties of a commercial driver and the SPE is cleared, then you should be good to go.
I was in a roll-over accident in September. I’m in a neck brace until January. My DOT med. card is up in November what do I need to do. I will not be fit for duty until I am out of the neck brace in January.
@Jason
You’ll want to talk with your local drivers license department to see what they need you to do. You won’t qualify as fit for duty due to the injury and you don’t want to lose your cdl because of the injury. They must have some policy for situations like yours.
Hello:
Trying to find out if I should go through the process of getting a CDL, I’m currently LBKA (Left Below Knee Amputation) and also recently got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (3 months) currently being controlled by medication, diet and exercise. Will any of this existing conditions hinder me from obtaining a CDL and if not what are the steps to follow? I have been doing a lot of research and believe I found most of the forms needed but not sure in which one comes first! Do I take the written test first and before the driving test get the medical exemptions (if I qualify!) or are there any other things I need to do? Any insight will be greatly appreciated and my thanks in advance.
John
@John
You would need get information from the FMCSA, since you will be required to have a waiver for the missing limb. That should answer most of the questions. Also check with your local drivers license department and see what information they have to give you about their process.
i have degenerative disc disease in my neck i have c3 c4 c5 c6 fused and a titanium cage i had a second surgery last October to put a rod in because one of the discs did not fuse i am a school bus driver the dr at concentra pulled me off the road in september he said i didnt have enough range of motion in my neck to drive a comercial vehicle what is the percentage of range do i need to go back to work
@Rhonda
About 70 degrees of motion in each direction would be a great start. The average person has about 90 degrees of motion in each direction. Also check into what your state wants with the use of your side mirrors, you are not driving interstate, so not sure why you would be held to interstate CMV driver standards.
I need cervical fusions for stenosis. My entire thoracic is fused because of scoliosis. Is it possible to have fusions of C4-5 and not put in rods if C6-7 do not have serious stenosis at this time? If the entire cervical spine is fused, can you drive? As you can tell, I am scared to death. Any help would be appreciated.
@Pat
Your surgeon will have to be the decision maker on what needs to be done. Most of the cervical ranges of motion occurs at the C1 to C3 levels, so once you are fully healed, you may be able to return to driving.
My husband did not pass his DOT physical because the physician at Consentra said he had Peripheral Neuropathy. The physician stated he needed to see a Neurologist. He went to the Neurologist, which we had no help on where to find one, and the Neurologist gave him an exam and stated he was fit for Commercial Driving. He had an EMG done. A nerve conductivity test and his Neurologist still says he is fit for commercial driving. He also went to see a Physiatrist and she stated that he was fine to drive a commercial vehicle. Nonetheless this physician at Concentra will still not pass him. What credentials does she have to override what two physicians with this specialty have?
As stated in the FMCSAMedicalExaminerHandbook
Peripheral Neuropathies This group of disorders consists of hereditary and acquired conditions where the nerves, including the axon and myelin or the myelin selectively outside the spinal cord, are affected. These conditions may affect the sensory or motor nerves individually, or both may be affected. Peripheral neuropathy may be a complication of diabetes mellitus. You should evaluate the sensory modalities of pain, light touch, position, and vibratory sensation in the toes, feet, fingers, and hands for signs of peripheral neuropathy.
The medical examiner at Concentra didn’t even touch him or evaluate him.
Recommend not to certify if: The driver has a diagnosis of a peripheral neuropathy. NOTE: Neuromuscular disorders represent a complex group of conditions. The severity can vary with the individual and in certain instances may be treatable or nonprogressive. Guidelines for reconsideration of the decision not to certify include: • Evaluation by a neurologist or physiatrist who understands the functions and demands of commercial driving. Specialist may recommend a simulated driving skills test or equivalent functional test. • Annual recertification that repeats specialist evaluation and driving test when indicated.
If the severity can vary with the individual and obviously it does, and he has done everything asked of him from this physician at Concetra, why can’t he get his DOT physical card? I have emailed the Medical Review Board with FMCSA as well.
@Kristina
So with all this information in hand, why don’t you just go somewhere else to get the medical certificate?
The physicians who have done all the background work for you must not be on the FMCSA’s NRCME registry, so the CME is left with his/her own evaluation. But it does require time and knowledge to evaluate each driver as they come in the door. Some of the ‘doc in a box’ places use the basic cookie-cutter approach and don’t even evaluate the drivers. Just take the easy money and screw the driver who needs a proper evaluation.
Answer: Take the available information and go somewhere else for the DOT certification.
Sadly she is on the National Registry. So I don’t think it’s fair.
What was your final outcome, and what further steps did you take to get there? if you could feel free to email me at djrolley02@gmail.com Thank You
I live in Tx. my medical card is due up for renewal, & I just broke my wrist on Fri at wk. Will this disqualify my from get my medical card renewed ?
@Dj
Yes, you are not fit for duty, so you would not pass at this moment. Any injury that takes you from behind the wheel is an instant disqualifier. So once you are released from your doctors’ care you should be good to go.
If you won’t be fit for duty by the time your medical card expires, let your local DLD know so they don’t automatically downgrade your license.
I had Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion C4 and C5 will this cause me to fail DOT physical? I am a road driver , driving doubles and also dock work is involved
@Mike
This is not an issue unless the cervical surgery caused a marked decrease in your ranges of motion of your head and neck.
As an OTR driver you should be able to move your cervical ranges to be able to visualize at at least at 70 degrees.
i broke my arm on the job. it has come as far as it will come toward recovery but still missing function. it wont straighten and is shy by alot, maybe 30 degrees. my hand wont supenate more than about half way and i havent gotten much of my strength back. at last eval my grib in my right hand (the arm i broke and im right handed), is less than half as strong as my left in grip strength. and my pushing strength was less than half my left arm. pulling was better but still less than left arm by a chunk. will i be able to pass a DOT physical?
@Russell
All of things will come into play to determine if you are medically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle. If you feel that you can perform the duties of a commercial driver, then you should give it a go.
If you feel that you will not be able to do the jobs of a commercial driver, then you won’t pass the test. I would bring a medical release form from your doctors and that will help the CME to make more informed decisions about your capabilities and short falls.
You might also look into intra-state only and see what is available to you.
I am a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator. Will DOT allow me to still drive?
@Chris
Until you have the surgery and know where you are afterwards, then no, not until you are fully healed and both you and your doctor are in a position to say you are fully recovered.
If you feel that you could drive once everything is finished, then make sure you have a medical release form explaining your situation and condition. Also note any medications and side effects. Have your doctor and surgeon fill out a medical release form before you try to take the DOT examination.
My question is: can I still qualify for a cdl B license if I have had several discs in my back fused. I am a municipal employee so I do not drive over the road. However, I spend long hours snow plowing and it is hard to get in an out of the truck. Other then that I seem to be able to drive ok. Thank you for any advice. I’ve been trying to find some info on back injuries but so far no luck.
@Kurt
If you have several fused vertebrae, your best bet is to get your medical doctor to fill out a medical release form for you and take a copy of your job description with you when you do the next examination.
You are a class B and are not being held to the same standards, but still must be able to perform the duties of your job. If you can safely do your job with your spinal condition, then you should not have any problems. Just take the needed information in with you.
Can I get a medical card to just drive local if I have a pacemaker defibulater
@Ricky
This one you will need to check with your state drivers license department for their ruling regarding the defib. unit.
Can I pass a DOT physical if I have neuropathy in my feet and what is the compliance for CPAP?
@Melissa
If the neuropathy does not interfere with your ability to safely operate a CMV then you should be OK.
CPAP is 70% or better compliance. See this Sleep Apnea article for more info.
I have 30% loss in my left arm can I still pass a DOT physical still.
@Paul
Not enough information here. 30% loss of what? Range of motion, strength, feeling, grip…?
The question here is: Can you meet the physical demands of the job required of any commercial driver?
I am out of work with a broken hip with severe nerve damage. Some of the nerve damage is from two broken legs about five years ago, the perineal nerves were damaged, and made worse from my hip injury. Second, the femoral nerve was damaged, and the two nerves in the back of the leg were also damaged from the workmans comp injury and Icannot as of now work because I can’t walk a step without the femoral nerve firing and I lose total muscle control of my leg. I am scheduling a nerve block next week to help with the pain as I Am taking narcotics for pain control now. The doctor is giving no guarantees.
His second surgery would require a wire from a previously installed neurotransmitter attached to the femoral nerve to see if it can control the pain and muscle control loss, again no guarantees. My question is if I have the surgery to have wire attached to my femoral nerve in my right leg just above the knee does it disqualify me from getting my medical card if the surgery is successful. I know that if it isn’t successful I will probably be disqualified because the only relief I am getting is from the narcotic medications
Thanks , and awaiting for answer,
Tom
@Tom
There is no point here that would cause an instant disqualification. That being said, first see where you are after the surgery. If all is well, then be prepared to have your medical card limited, due to the examiner wanting to keep an eye on your situation. And yes you are right that if the surgery is not successful and you have to stay on the narcotics, you will not qualify. Good Luck with this.
I lost 4 fingers when I was younger and curious if I find a Dr that will pass me on my health card are there any repercussions I could face later?
@ Is19
If you can perform the duties of a CMV operator, then all you may need to do is a skills performance examination to determine that you can perform the duties of a driver. Any one that is performing the DOT examination is on the NRCME and has to operate under the same guidelines and regulations that everyone else is operating under.
I strained my right knee right when my med card is renewable and they failed me. the doctor did not even see me they took my money and the nurse told me they have to fail me and could not give me my med card and said they would turn it in to casc on my record. I have a Clean License with no probs at all. Some how his just dosent seem Right. What the Heck can I do about this. I see it as they stoled my money. I didn’t even have the paper work all done. what the heck can I do also said I would have to pay again to get my med card with new physical I just don’t understand
@Jody L
Someone stole your money, period.
You may have failed due to the fact that you could not perform the duties of a CMV operator, but you should not have been charged with out being seen. Lodge a complaint with the the BBB.
Had a physical done and passed. I have a pain pump implanted for many years. I no longer have needed the pump. No medicine has been in the pump since 2008. This dr wont renew my fed med card!
@Dale
Try getting a medical release form completed by your primary doctor explaining your situation and condition. That should answer the CME’s questions and give him enough information to re-think his position.
Will kyphosis disqualify me from getting a DOT?
@Wade
Not as long as it does not interfere with your basic abilities to perform the duties of a CMV operator. If you can qualify as a ‘fit for duty’ commercial operator, then it will not be held against you.
Had a physical and I’m diabetic. I got a medical card for 3 months doctor passed me on my neck measurement for sleep apea but said my bmi was a little high said I need a sleep evaluation. I answered the survey and my score was a 1 on it which was very low the doctor said. Do I need one and if I don’t can I go to another dot doctor and do another one thanks
@Shellie
Since there were no new rulings or regulations regarding BMI or neck measurements (according to the FMCSA), I would go somewhere else and have another DOT examination done, toward the end of your 3 month card.
To better understand this issue, see our articles on Sleep Apnea.
I have pkd and I am getting to do 2 dialysis exchange a day. One at night and 1 in the morning.will that stop me from passing my dot. And driving.
@jeanne
You may qualify for an intra-state only card, but I would check with your local DLD to make that final decision. You would not be able to qualify for an interstate CDL/medical certificate.