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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 both knees replaced di I need to get recertified on my dot physical
@Shawn
Yes.
My teammate has to have a skin graft surgery on the top of his foot to help a place heal he can drive an automatic which we have will he be allowed to do this
@Katrenia
If you follow FMCSA guidelines, the moment the driver goes into surgery and is out from behind the wheel, they need to have a new medical certificate to demonstrate fit for duty status. If they can then drive without being a safety issue, you should be good to go.
In the state of AZ I have a class a with tanker, I need to have a fusion sergery will that make me have to give up my CDL?
@Chris
No, once you are fully healed and ready to return to work you will need a new medical certificate to determine fit for duty status. That should be done with a doctors medical release to return to work and any limitations listed on the release form.
I have a Class A cdl. I live in New York. I had to have surgery on my abdomen to remove a bunch of scar tissue that was there. With that scar tissue it was difficult for me to eat without any type of pain. My doctor has cleared me to return to work. My company said that I must get another DOT cert before I can return back to work. My current cert is good for another 1 1/2 years. Company stated this is DOT regulation for any and all surgeries. Please let me know. Thank you.
@Rebecca
Your company is correct. Any issue that takes you away from behind the wheel requires a new medical cert before you may drive again.
One of your drivers is going to have surgery on his shoulder, because of an on the job injury. His medical cert is going to expire when he is off for surgery. Right now he is certified category 1 – Non-exempt. Does he need to downgrade his cdl in the meantime since he will not be able to take a new physical until he is healed? If so what category should he be in 2 or 4? He has a minnesota cdl.
@Onica
Each state treats this process differently so your local drivers license department are the only people who can give you the specifics here to help you out.
I had thoracic outlet syndrome in both shoulders, I do not have full strength in either hand. I drive aa tandem grain truck in the state of Illinois . I am an employee on the farm am I suppose to have a CDL Medical Card. Im going to the river where they also process feed.
@Chris
Check with you local drivers license department to see if you need a medical card or not.
I injured my Achilles tendon at work and the company doctor placed me on restrictions that did not specifically say I can’t drive, but I can not load and unload my truck. Because the company does not have light duty for just the driving I went out of work. I am healed now and the treating physician provided a full duty release. My question is if I need or should have the FMCSA Medical Exam – Fitness for Duty before driving?
@Mike
Yes, once off duty you must demonstrate a medical fitness for duty before you can go back to work. That means a new medical exam.
I’m a CDL-A in the state of MA and I do go out of state some times when required. I fractured my ankle on August 7, 2016 and my DOT card expires on September 26, 2016. I won’t be able to renew my DOT card because I won’t be cleared to return to work full duty until late October or even mid November. Is there any sort of form or waiver to submit to RMV for a self certification? I don’t want my license being down graded and risk losing my job!! I just don’t know what to do.
@Dan
Each state treats this process differently.
You need to contact you local drivers license department and let them know your circumstances. They should tell you what they can do for you in the meantime, until you are fully healed and able to qualify again.
I would like to know how you made out? I fractured my left ankle on Nov.16th.I am still out of work and my dot card expires in Feb.2017.I live in Md and haven’t been able to find an answer.
Thanks!
Iam in california going trew the same thing☹️I mine expires February and maybe wont be good till after march,would i loose my license?Iam so scared i dont even what to contact dmv ,but time is getting close!
I went in for a DOT physical, and I mentioned on the application that I recently used medical marijuana and my application was rejected.
Do I need to take a drug screen or test when applying again?
@CM
Drug screens are done upon the company request. You will need to pee clean before any company is going to hire you.
Can you still drive a school bus in California if you have been diagnosed with scoliosis?
@Jacquie
As long as the condition does not interfere with the safe operation of the bus. But confirm this with your local drivers license department.
I am a class A OTR driver with a prior spinal fusion, c-6 and c-7. I may need a revision of the previous surgery. If so, will I be required to sit out a specific amount of time or do I just need my surgeon’s clearance to get recertification and return to work?
@Kelly
Fully healed and a note from the surgeon is all you need before you redo your DOT medical certificate.
I have a driver who has been out on workers comp for a year. He had a neck injury. He went for his DOT and the ME told him he has to have a Functional Capacity exam before she will consider doing his DOT as he has been out for a year. The workers comp doctor has already signed him off as fit for work, should this FCE have been done first? Now he can’t drive but he isn’t receiving workers comp either. Would he have to get the FCE done himself?
Thanks for your advice.
@Franny
Have him go somewhere else for a second opinion.
If he can perform the duties of a CMV operator, then he’ll pass the examination. If he has normal mobility and is pain free, then the examiner should be able to determine medical fitness for duty.
Hello,
I live in NY state, and have had my cdl B for about 10 years now, and I drive a school bus. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes II, insulin dependant. After that, they were giving me only 6 month cards, with physicians certifications. I just went in today and the nurse practitioner informed me that they no longer give medical cards to diabetics, and she refused to administer the physical, regardless of my cardiologists certification that he feels I am fit for duty. This is the ONLY company that the school goes through for their DOT needs. Is this true or is the nurse wrong??
Also, I have AFib with an implanted cardiac monitor in my chest, and I’m on antiarrhythmic meds for this condition. She told me that she believes that having any type of cardiac implanted device automatically disqualifies me from operating a CMV.
Please help.. if this is true I’m going to lose my job!
@Erek
Nurse is incorrect.
You fall under state variances and should not be evaluated as an OTR driver. So check with your local drivers license department and get the fact straight before you take that information back to the examiner. Make sure you have medical releases from all of your doctors before you return to the CME for an examination.
I’m in trucking driving school one week from beginning road training. My backs has been starting to hurt from the work I’m currently during during the week (I go to class on weekends). If I go on workers comp will I still be allowed to complete the driving school?
@James
You need to check with the driving school. Out on workers comp implies that you are presently unable to perform the duties of a commercial driver? Not medically fit for duty.
What impact does a lumbar spinal fusion have on certifying a driver? Where can I get more information?
@peter
Best information for DOT regs is the FMCSA.
As far as impact due to spinal fusion, you are looking for inabilities to perform the duties of a CMV operator. Can they do their job safely and can they continue to operate a CMV safely. Are there any chances of the driver becoming incapacitated due to the fusion.
If all is stable and you have a medical release form from the surgeon, then just follow the guidelines.
Will token clavicle disqualify me I have full range of motion with no pain? It’s a non CDL dot physical?
@Josh
Full range of motion with no pain, you should be fine.
I am a Class A Driver in Texas who recently applied for several jobs which one job called and sent me to get a Medical Exam June 22 which The doctor failed me due to high glucose. I’ve received two other offers and want to know if it is ok for me to go to another doctor for a new physical?
@Greg
If your sugar is under control and you have no glucose spill over, then you can go to whom ever you like.
Hi,
If a DOT driver has a missing a limb and need a SPE, should he or she receive their DOT medical certificate first in order to get/apply for the SPE waiver? OR Do they have to have the SPE before getting their medical certificate?
Thank you!
@beverly
Do the physical and mark the bubble stating that they need the SPE to operate a cmv. After that it is up to the driver to get the SPE done.
I have 2 titanium hips. I can play tennis, ride a horse, mow my lawn.
Can I get a CDL?
@Mark
As long as you can perform the duties of a CMV operator, then you would pass. The new hips are not a major question unless they have created impairments or limitations.
A truck beats you to death. Although not a disqualified,I don’t recommend you drive a rough riding truck.
What is the minimum grip strength required to pass a dot physical?
@Jeff
The ability to perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle operator. No set grip strength measurements on the test, but the ability to do the job without question.