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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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Your comments are also welcome.
I had surgery on my left lateral meniscus, Will I be able to take my drivers test still with a brace on my left leg?
I was in a auto accident and off work for neck and back pain, I start physical therapy and am off work. If my doctor released me to go back to work with no restrictions but am still doing physical therapy would I be able to pass a dot exam or would I have to wait to be done with therapy also.
If I get my verdabrae fused in my neck and carpal tunnel surgery on both arms will I be able to get a DOT card afterwards
I am a school bus driver due to renew. I have my class B & recently had to start peritoneal dialysis at home, which I perform at night. Will I b allowed to continue driving a school bus?
I was diagnosed with spinal stenosi and had neck surgery c3- c6 fusion I have 51° to right rotation and 65° left rotation. How long after surgery can I go get DOT card back. Do I have to wait 3 months because my doctor might release me sooner.
Good afternoon,
I had a bicep tendon tear surgery two month and I have to take a dot phisical. Will this be a problem and get rejected because of it?
They took the cast out a moth a go and I already have 100% full use of my arm and recovering strengh rapidly.
Please let me know.
Thanks
I’ve had rotator cuff surgery if the doctor clears me to drive but no lifting will this restriction stop me from passing the DOT physical
I had this repair done and didn’t have a problem with the dot physical.
Can you drive after a liver transplant.
@Joe
Yes. There will be a wait period and you will need a full medical release from your doctors.
I recently had an Umbilical Hernia repaired.
Went for a DOT EXAM in order to take the CDL TEST.
I Passed the Physical portion of the test. The Physician asked me to get a Relise Form signed by my DR.
The Dr signed the Release and Checked Off OK to Work and wrote, can not lift anything over 15lbs for 6 months.
I took it back to the Physician and was told I Failed and need to come back in 6 months.
From what I’ve read the FMCSA has nothing staying that the Restrication is an automatic Fail. It states that would be a Company Policy Issue.
I’m just trying to take the Written Test right now. Could easily be 4 to 6 months before I even get a License.
What can I do it go to show this Physician that it’s OK to Pass me and give me the DOT Certificate.
Thanks in Advance
i messed my back up have 3 bad discs in my lower back i am in a lot better shape then i was been off the road for 6 years also i have nerve damage in my left leg my ???is do i have a possible chance of getting my cdl back what ss in paying is not enough
@Pete
With nerve damage, depending on your restrictions, will cause questions but should be evaluated by the medical examiner. Make sure you take a medical release form from your primary doctor explaining your present condition and prognosis.
i have to have spinal fusion on lower lumbar L4/5 and L5/S1 will this disqualify my class a cdl
@Dmt
No. Make sure you are fully recovered, with proper documentation, before your next DOT physical.
Hi Doc.
I have L1 & L2 & possibly L3 Spinal Lumbar fused. I drive a truck. But lately it has been hurting bad. It’s need a few years when I was diagnosed with it. I know I am not wordings this right, but my lower back sometimes kills me. Can’t bend over for only a minute. Can i still keep my class A cdl?
I am school bus driber and I had a total knee replacement in June. My surgeon gave me a letter on stating that I could return to work without restriction. The school I work for are asking for a letter from a DOT doctor that certifies me to go back to work. I am getting conflicting answers from a couple of DOT doctors. One said all I need is a letter from the surgeon specifically stating that I am not a risk to drive commercially, yet others are telling me that they cannot give me DOT clearence to drive without retaking a complete DOT physical. Which one is true or what is correct?
You need a whole new DOT physical because your knee surgery would disqualify you even if your medical card hasn’t expired yet. Anytime you acquire a medical condition that would otherwise be disqualifying, you’re technically supposed to report that and get a new exam when your treating physician clears you. Just be sure to bring your medical clearance letter to your exam.
I have had two neck surgeries since Nov . First was micro disectomy second was fusion of c6-c7 I am not sure I can pass a dot physical what are your opinions
I work for fritolay I had surgery 2 year’s ago neck fusion on c4 c5 c6 c7 I was out 6 month’s total had my surgery was back to work 3 month’s later I was able to pass the DOT PHYSICAL and back to work so far so good ..good luck
@Richard
Once you’re fully recovered and released to return to work, make sure you have a medical release form from your surgeon when you get ready to do your DOT physical, and you should be fine if all else is within normal limits.
@Carl
They are both correct – yes you need to retake a DOT physical exam, and with proper documentation from the surgeon, and without restrictions, you should get a new medical card.
Is a driver medically qualified to drive with a walking cast on his right foot?
@Tim
No. And, once the cast is off, you need to have a new DOT physical done to be medically certified again.
I had to get a D.O.T. physical as a pre-qualification for a “non-CDL” delivery position. I am legally blind in my right eye (20/200), but my only restriction for my regular driver’s licence is an outside rear-view mirror on the drivers side. The physician showed me where there is a “waiver” for that part of the test, but he didn’t know what the waiver was or how I could see if it would apply to me. Can you explain how I could get a waiver?
@James
Check with your state drivers license department.
I have had a Class B CDL in Ohio for 27 years. I wanted to go back driving trucks but became a Below knee amputee 2 years ago. Can I still drive and do I need to retest? I was driving when my amputation happened.
Thanks
You’ll need a skill performance evaluation before you can be certified. It has to be done by an orthopedist or physiatrist.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/skill-performance-evaluation-certificate-program
@Carl
Sounds like a driver license question – check with DMV.
For medical certification you’ll need a waiver from FMCSA.
Are hip replacements allowed by DOT physicals?
@CW
Yes, as long as you can continue to perform your daily driving duties.
Trucker doc a question
I am currently on med leave for hip replacement and realized my physical will expire before I am able to return to active status to get it renewed
Is there a way to put it off until I get back to medical clearance or will my license be suspended?
Kris
Can a officer suspend your dot medical card,and disqualify you from driving a commercial truck?
@Rob
Not enough information here, but with reasonable suspicion, yes, an officer can suspend you from driving.
My name is randy my question is i have minor lymphedema in my right leg but i have full use of my right leg will that block my ability to get a medical card thanks
@Randy
With proper documentation and a medical release from your primary doctor, it will then fall to the medical examiner to make the final qualifying decision.
I have eye lens implants. One allows me to see distance and the other is for reading up close. Yet the dot guidelines say I have to have at least 20/40 in both eyes. Do I need to get a corrective lense for my reading eye to pass the physical?
@Michael
Yes. You must be have 20/40 or better in each eye, and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.
I have varicose veins will i be disqualified from getting class a license and if i bought tent hoses would this help me pass
@Joseph
Compression hoses will definitely be a plus. And you really need to reconsider a class A interstate driving career which has you sitting for up to 11 hours a day.
I have drop foot on the right side.
Will i qualify for a commercial drivers certificate?
@John
Going for a class A interstate, it’s going to be difficult at best.
Intrastate only might be a better choice.
Hello, I had rotator cuff surgery and I can’t drive for at least 2 months and my medical card will expire within a month, can I start the physical exam and finish up when my doctor clears me or just wait until I’m healed Thanks
@JLB
No, you must wait until you’re healed so that you can pass the medical examination. And, check with you local drivers license department to explain your situation, because the medical card on file will expire in the meantime.
By passing means what? I had the same rotator cuff surgery and my DOT doc said I had to lift 50lbs before I could pass the physical. At present I have a 5lb restriction but I drive a bus for a college and never lift anything.
What gives?
@John
Explain your job requirements to the medical examiner. You should be evaluated based on your job, not by FMCSA class A driver.
I recently injured my knee and am being treated but I need to Renew my medical card how will this effect my ability to obtain a new card?
@Mike
If you can perform the duties of a CMV driver, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I have just completed my FCE after having 2 surgeys where i had two seperate fusions of C4 C5 of my neck. I was given a neck disability score of 82% and can only rotate left and right 20deg. Will that keep me from obtaining a DOT physical card?
@Jay
If the limited ranges of motion do not allow you to safely perform the duties of a CMV operator, then you will not pass the DOT physical certification examination. You may want to check into intra-state only, but the same questions are going to arise.