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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 am a CDL B driver. 6 Weeks ago I had knee surgery to repair a torn Maniscus. My DOT med card expires on Saturday July 21st. I went to have a DOT physical this past Friday on July 13th, Even though I have no restrictions for driving, she made the determination that I have a restriction. If this was my left knee, I could understand it. She told me that I can have know restrictions, Yes, I am on short term disability and I am unable to perform the physical portion of my job. I passed every part of the physical exam and had I not been honest I would have past the exam. I am wearing a brace on my leg and all I had to do was taking that off before going into the Dr. office and she never would have known. I am annoyed because this is my livelihood. This seems very unfair as it is not a physical for my job it is a DOT physical to determine if I can operate a commercial truck safely!!! Is this something that they can actually disqualify me for my med card?
@ Rich H
You are class B driver and thus you fall under the states requirements and not class A FMCSA regulations. Your examiner should know both the FMCSA and your states variances. Go for a second opinion and explain that you are class B not class A.
If the driver is on partial permanent disability due to a preexisting elbow injury which limits the weight of the arm to 25 lbs and no repetitive pushing, pulling, or lifting with the arm, would that disqualify the driver from getting a DOT medical card for a commercial vehicle?
My husband just had deep brain stimulation and they installed a neurostimulator can he still drive a school bus in Kentucky
@ Sherri
You need to check with your local drivers license department for the best answer. He would fall under the states variances.
My Husband was born with out the lower part of his left arm he just has it to his elbow he has never had a prosthesis and he has never had any type of restrictions on his drivers licence or in the work place would he be able to pass a DOT physical to obtain a CDL licence? Thanks
@ Kiley L
Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
In 2006 I had a bike accident causing a tri mal ankle fracture with non-union. Because of this I was granted disability and have not worked since. I have a strong aversion to opiates so I’ve treated this issue with marijuana (have my medical card). I’m only 40 years old and cannot do this anymore. Would abandoning my medical marijuana card make it possible to obtain my CDL, or does my injury, which has little to no effect on my driving, make it unlikely to get the license/pass the physical? A driver friend of mine told me that I could get licensed and pass the physical, but I would probably not be able to locate employment based on insurance companies refusing to cover me.
I have ulcerative colitis and take generic lialda. Since being on the medication, 10 months, no flares. Is this going to cause an issue when I fill out the form and will it stop me from getting the DOT physical approved?
@ Chris
You may need a medical release form from your prescribing doctor, but otherwise you should be fine.
Question, I am a CDL driver in NH can I drive and pass my DOT requirement if I have (RA)?
@ Ann Marie
If your condition does not interfere with the safe operation and the ability to perform the duties of a cmv operator, then you should be able to pass the DOT medical certification examination. Any restrictions or medication will require a medical release form from your primary doctor.
I have scoliosis but no pain. also I’ve had my aortic root replaced and currently take blood pressure medication due to the surgery but my bp is always at normal range will this cause me to fail the physical
@ Justin
It may cause questions, but should not hold you back. Your bp meds will limit your medical card to one year and you will need a medical release for filled out by your primary doctor, without restrictions, once you are fully recovered snd released to return to work.
I am fully recovered. just will be taking the bp meds for now on just to insure everything stays in normal range even with out taking it my bp is normal it’s just a to make sure
I have not seen anything close to my question forgive me if there is one and I didn’t see it – I got hurt on the job raising the landing gear on my trailer. I had a ruptured disc in my L4 . After surgery im still in pain and now after 3 MRI’s they doctor is saying I have nerve damage and nothing more can be done. He says I will have to take pain meds the rest of my life and thats all that can be done. I also have occasionally, usually at least once a day if not more, numbness from my right knee to my ankle and sometimes it goes across the top of my foot and into my toes. The numbness is not complete numbness but enough to where my leg feels like someone elses leg is attached to my body. The Medication he has me taking is Oxycodone and Gabapentin. – can I still operate a commercial vehicle under these conditions?
@ Ron B
You will not pass a DOT class A medical certification examination to drive interstate. You might want to check with your local drivers license department to determine if you can drive cld intra-state only. Your medications and your condition may be acceptable under your states variances, but not the DOT/FMCSA.
Thank you for that reply, my situation updated today so I thought I would update my question and see if my situation as it is now would prohibit me from operating a commercial vehicle. I had another MRI performed and it shows no new rupture as the third one had showed. The Doc says my body probably absorbed the material. The pain is still there so he ordered a Myelogram/CT scan – I got the results of that today and it shows I have a bone broken between my L4 and L5, sorry I don’t know the technical term of the bone. The doc says the solution is a fusion. Doc says I may still have pain after the surgery and of course I will be stiffer. So with the pain still there plus the injuries to my shoulders and right foot I will need to be on pain meds the rest of my life. Doc says because I have been taking narcotics for so long due to the injuries I will most likely have to remain on them. So, will the fusion result in my not passing? Will the Meds cause me to fail? thank you
@ Ron B
Pain, narcotics, and prolonged injuries don’t present a picture that says you are going to be driving anytime soon. It is highly unlikely that you will pass a DOT medical certification examination. That being said, wait until everything that could be done is done and then ask the question. Good Luck
FMCSA docs state you cannot drive a commercial vehicle if you are currently taking narcotic medications. Other medications that may have a tendancy to cause drowsiness are on a case by case basis and may be waived via a DOT Examiner decision. If you are on narcotic medications and you have an accident that injures or kills someone you could face criminal prosecution despite a doctor saying it is ok to drive. Keep that in mind.
Yes you can still drive, I take those meds and as well as other pain meds and still pass my physical to drive state to state!
My husband has cirrhosis. He is due for his dot physical but would not pass at this time. He is going to be evaluated to be placed on the liver transplant list.
If his medical card lapses will he have to have to start all over to get his CDL, after he receives the liver transplant.
He has had his Class a CDL for over 30 years.
@ Wilma N
You need to talk to the state drivers license department and explain your husbands situation. They should be able to guide you from there.
I have recently been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in my left arm resulting from a surgery to the ulnar nerve. I understand that there is no cure but it can go into remission and possibly result in a reoccurrence of the condition. Would this disqualify me from holding a CDL license?
@ Roger D
CDL license is a state issued item, but your condition will raise some questions with the DOT medical certification examiner. If you can, provide a medical release form from your doctor to the examiner. This will help the examiner understand your situation and allow him/her to make the best possible decision regarding your medical certificate.
I had type 2 diabetes last year but I have got it under control with 2 oral medications but I have lost my pinky toe and half my big toe on my right foot due to the disease this all happened after my privous sign off on my physical. Will I be able to renew my dot card in California
@ Charles
As long as you can still perform the duties of an OTR driver and you have your diabetes under control, you should be fine. Make sure you have a medical release form from your doctor, and if possible, a copy of your last a1c results.
Do I have to recert my dot physical for a workplace injury not resulting in time off but light duty?
@Kathy
Yes.
my husband has had a CDL for over 30 years. In Aug. he obtained an injury from our farm equipment. He has had several surgeries on his hand and arm. He is currently in physical therapy and its time to renew his medical card. Right now he is unable to drive but he has to maintain his CDL to keep his job. We live in Texas what can we do?
@ Connie
Check with your states drivers license department and explain the situation. They should be able to help accommodate your husband.
Would an individual who has ever engaged in self harm or attempted suicide in the past have a chance of passing the DOT Medical. Talking greater than 3 years in the past with zero relapse, was prescribed medication for depression and regular visits with a doctor but went off medication and doctor visits less than two weeks after the incident. I don’t have a family doctor or anything like that so I can’t have them say “he’s fine” “no future risk” exc.
@ Zacharia
FMCSA has some pretty strict regulations on self-harm patients, and their meds cause questions also. Make sure you can get medical release form from a doctor before you go for the DOT examination. Also check with the FMCSA regarding time frames from medication secession.
I was involved in truck accident and diagnosed with ptsd when I get close to another big truck my symptoms act up and i get so upset I have to pull to side of road or get away from traffic until I can function again .will ptsd keep me from passing dot physical?
@ Roger d
Uncontrolled ptsd is a safety issue. FMCSA wants the CME (examiner) to have as much information as possible to help him determine the safety of both the driver and the public at large. Controlled ptsd will need a medical release form from your treating and prescribing doctors. PTSD is not an automatic disqualifer.
Doc thanks for info on ptsd Went to dot doctor he passed my physical without asking about ptsd clearance and back to work clearance for lower back surgery and neck fusion c5-c6. I went to my attending doctor today and told him I passed physical without being cleared for work. I also have to go for another mri to see why back surgery didn’t go well.What should I do or who should I contact ? Thanks!!
@ Roger D
You should not have passed a DOT medical certification examination with your present spinal conditions. Some one really dropped the ball here. Contact FMCSA and let them know your situation and report the CME that passed you.
I passed physical without being cleared for work clearance for lower back surgery dot doctor didn’t ask for work clearance. also had fusion c5-c6 on neck as well as ptsd. I went to attending physician today told him I passed physical without being cleared for lower back surgery which I am still having problems with. the doctor didn’t think I was legal doing that because of the problems I am still having and not being released for work. what should i do to correct this issue or who should I contact Thanks
I am on workers comp waiting for back surgery on pinch nerves l/4 l/5 s1 waiting on approval from workers comp. my dot expires in 3 weeks, went today for recertification and the doctor said no because of previous injury and the surgery. Orthopedic surgeon said i can work regular duty just be careful. I am a spotter in the yard.
@Fred
If being a spotter in the yard requires you to maintain your class A license, then you would not pass the DOT medical certification examination. Because you are on works comp and have physical limitation. FMCSA regulations do not allow for what could be seen as a safety risk to the driver and the public at large. It isn’t about what your orthopedic surgeon has to say about your work capabilities, it is what FMCSA guidelines for the DOT have to say.
I have a permanent weight restriction of 75lbs with a 35lb restriction over head because of tendon surgery (elbows ). I am able to move my elbows perfectly and no longer under a physician’s care, can I still get a DOT medical card?
@ Phillip Z
According to the FMCSA guidelines, based on the job description of an over the road driver, you would have difficulty passing the medical certification examination. That being said, things have changed in the driving community over the past 10+ years and weight restrictions have shifted within the company requirements. You may pass the certification examination and not the driving job description of the company. If you know what company you will be driving for and you have a copy of the job description, you may pass the medical certification, but be prepared to answer questions about your restrictions. And check the FMCSA sideline for a job description for an OTR driver.
I am a nurse case manager with Worker’ Comp
my question does DOT allow drives with CDL to drive long distances with a spinal cord stimulator
thanks!
@Penny
A lot will depend on the case conditions and any restrictions placed on the driver. Each situation is supposed to be evaluated case by case and final decision making should come from an understanding of the regulations and guidelines set forth by the FMCSA.
I’m getting rdy to go get a dot physical about 3yrs ago I had my c-6 c-7 fused when I was released to go back to work with no restrictions and i have no more symptoms of pain or anything I haven’t seen that Dr since btw it’s for a class a
@ Rick
As long as there are no medical restrictions and a decent range of motion of the spine, you should be alright. The examiner will be looking for limitations that would pose as a safety risk.