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Q&A
Is Meniere’s disease a disqualifier?
What if I’ve had surgery for Meniere’s disease?
Does vertigo disqualify me from getting a medical card?
What if I take anti-seisure medication?
Can I pass a DOT physical after having a stroke?
If a driver is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder will they fail the DOT physical?
If I take antidepressants can I still get a DOT medical card?
Is Meniere’s disease a disqualifier?
Yes. Meniere’s disease is disqualifying because it may bring about a severe condition of vertigo and is unpredictable. The risk here is sudden incapacitation.
What if I’ve had surgery for Meniere’s disease?
Still is a disqualifier. The FMCSA is reviewing this in terms of certification.
Does vertigo disqualify me from getting a medical card?
It could. When the medical examiner does his examination, one of the things he is looking for is things that would be unsafe for you as a driver and how it effects your ability to maintain control of a commercial motor vehicle. Part of that examination is to test for virtigo. If he feels the condition is unsafe then he will not pass you. If he feels there is something that can help you maintain, he may make a suggestion for you to follow-up with a specialist.
Drivers who have had one unprovoked seizure by definition do not have epilepsy (2 or more unprovoked seizures). Drivers who are seizure-free and off anticonvulsant medication(s) for at least 5 years after a single unprovoked seizure can be certified. Earlier return to work may be considered for drivers with a normal EEG who have no epileptic-form activity and normal examination by a neurologist specializing in epilepsy. (This answer from the FMCSA website)
What if I take anti-seizure medication?
Right off the bat you would be disqualified as a CMV driver. There is a new federal exemption for seizure and related medications. You will need to check with the FMCSA regarding that particular paperwork.
Medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy is disqualifying. Where a driver can demonstrate that safety would not be diminished by the condition, it is possible to apply for an exemption.
Can I pass a DOT physical after having a stroke?
It depends on many things, including the likelihood of having another stroke. Your best bet is to first go back to your neurologist and have him/her write a medical opinion letter stating:
- When you had the stroke.
- What was the treatment, and how successful was the outcome.
- What is the treatment you are receiving now.
- The doctor’s medical opinion about your readiness to return to work as a driver. Make sure that he/she knows all of your physical daily activities as a commerial driver.
With that information in hand when you go to do your DOT medical examination, then the DOT examiner has all the appropriate information to determine your physical state of fitness to perform the duties of a commercial driver.
If a driver is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder will they fail the DOT physical?
Well, it isn’t that you fail outright, but you will be asked questions regarding the condition:
- What treatment routine has been established.
- How long you’ve been on that routine.
- How are you responding to treatment/medication, etc.
So just prepare for the question line in advance, bring documentation from your treating doctor with you, and you could do just fine.
If I take antidepressants can I still get a DOT medical card?
Well it’s not impossible, but what you will need to do is get a medical opinion letter from your treating physician that states:
- When you were diagnosed with the condition?
- What treatment program does he/she have you on?
- Is the condition stable?
- Does your physician feel you could do the duties of a commercial driver and be safe for yourself and the people/public around you?
Then take that information the DOT physical appointment. It will still be the DOT medical examiner’s decision whether or not to certify you.
I have an anxiety disorder on and off. This raises my BP readings. Can I still pass the DOT physical if I take beta-blockers?
You should talk with your primary healthcare provider to determine whether or not this would interfere with the responsibilities and stress of being a commercial motor vehicle operator. If your doctor feels OK about your driving and understands the role of a commercial motor vehicle operator, then he should write a medical opinion letter for you to take to the DOT examination, explaining your condition, treatment and safe usage of the medications you are taking and whether your specific condition is stable. That way there is no surprises for you or the DOT examiner.
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I went to get my med car renewed. I was told that since I had a stroke 10 years ago and am still on Plavix that I needed release from a neurologist. This has never been a problem in the past. I don’t even remember the doctor I saw then. It was a TIA and I have had no problems since. They failed me. I called 2 neurologist in my area and they both said they would have to start over with tests since this was so many years ago. It will cost me between $3500 to $5000. I don’t understand why after all these years of getting my med card it is an issue now. Please help.
@ James
Get a medical release form filled out by your primary care doctor and take that with you to the next DOT examination. It will answer most of the questions that the CME has. You ran into a CME that is over-reading the regulations and is covering his behind. All CME’s must be able to substantiate their decision making process, and can do that only with appropriate information from your primary doctor.
If you have been cleared by a neurologist after a stroke to drive is there still a mandatory wait time based on federal law or state of Illinois law. Please don’t tell me what’s recommended. I’m talking about the law. I’m a school bus driver with a current CDL.
@Greg
You are a school bus driver and you fall under the state’s variances.
You need to check with your local state drivers license department, this is a state issue not a FMCSA issue. We address questions mostly at a federal level as it is impossible for us to keep up with all differing state regulations.
I had a minor accident in July of 2002. 3 weeks later I was diagnosed with a subdrual hematomy. I had surgery in August of 2002, released after 11 days from the hospital, and released from the neurosurgeon in December to “continue normal activities” as my final appointment was good and all functions were good. I finished antibiotics and took anti-seizure meds for a while but haven’t taken any meds since some time in ’03. I never lost consciousness and never had a seizure. I got a class B CDL for day driving in Ga. and was asked to get a medical card. The PA at the end of the physical asked about my previous surgery, when I told her about it she denied me temporarily and asked me to get records from the neurosurgeon. I told her I was released in late 2002 and had driven 300,000 miles in the last 12 1/2 years on an outside territory sales job, and had even driven a Nascar driving experience at 140 mph… but she insisted on records. The neurosurgeon has found a copy of the report from the last follow up visit in 2002 but say they don’t normally keep records past 7 to 10 years. Is this required after 13 years of having had no trouble to drive on a daily intrastate, inner city job with no overnight or long haul trips?
@David
Not really. A medical release form completed by your primary doctor would suffice. The CME is over-reading your situation and doing a CYA for herself. Just have your neurosurgeon/primary do your medical release and you should be good to go.
This morning the PA said form from neurosurgeon looked good, but wanted to check with her medical director when he came in before giving me the card. Called back and said he wanted clearance from a neurologist.The records are gone, Dr. King isn’t a neurologist, he’s a neurosurgeon, so now I guess I’ve got to schedule an appt. with a neurologist somewhere to get a medical card … for something that happened 13 years ago even when she said I have been asymptomatic for almost 13 years. Is this normal or are they being a little over the top? We’re talking about a lot of money to get an appt and an exam with a neurologist for clearance of something that happened in August of 2002.
@ David
You didn’t give me any information regarding what your condition was. That being said, if you have a medical release form from your neurosurgeon and it is somewhat recent, like the last couple of years, then it should do. If the note is older, then you might want to get a medical release form from you primary doctor. That would avoid the the neurologist, maybe.
does a pacemaker/defibrillator disqualify your cdl?
@Gregory
It does not disqualify your CDL, but it will not allow you to pass your FMCSA medical certificate.
Try checking with your local drivers license department and see if you can operate as a intra-state only cdl driver. Each state is a little different, so check with them.
I have been diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). Will I be able to keep my cdl and medical card both before and after surgery?
@Michael
If the present condition is not effecting your ability to safely operate a CMV, then you should be able to continue driving for now.
Once you are out of the seat and going to surgery, your medical card becomes invalid and you need to re-certify. So once you are fully healed and ready to return to work, just get a medical release form completed by your primary doctor and you should be good to go.
I didn’t know since it is considered a brain tumor. I will not have any hearing in that ear after surgery and at best only 60% in other ear.
The hearing requirements are for ONE ear only (both eyes, but one ear requirements)
i have been diagnosed with brain lesions and cerebral atrophy,terrible headaches have taken medical leave applying for disability. Is my condition automatic disqualified for my CDl trying to establish disability and retire. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks Robert
Yes. “Disability” means disabled.
My problem is complicated. I have had nerve damage in my lower right leg for years but have always passed dot physical. Recently I broke my right hip and have damaged my femoral nerve and cannot walk because of pain issues. The injury was in November and the feedback I am getting from my docs is not good, he has said with my history no doctor is going to pass me for a dot card, even if I can walk at some point. My injury happened at work and I will not lie about my medical condition to anyone to keep my license, and of course workers comp is giving me a hard time about everything. Could someone tell me who I can talk to regarding my medical nightmare and what My rights are regarding all of this.
Thank You, Tom Anderson
@Thomas
Until you are fully healed and released from your doctors care, there is nothing you need to do. Once you are healed and you know where you stand in regards to your physical condition, there may be things and/or waivers that may allow you to go back to driving. First get well and see where you are. As far as looking into your other issues, you may want to deal with a good attorney.
Get an attorney, if BWC is giving you trouble. You can have a FCE (functional capacity exam) done. Go to an Occupational Health Center with an affiliation with a Physical Therapy Department.
I suffer from what’s now being called Familial hemeplegic migraines about once per year. I live in CO I always know when one is coming on and I have time to drive to a safe place to shut down. I have done this without incident for over 15 years. New information says that the the drug Imitrex that I have been taking should not be taken with this class of migraine and could actually cause a stroke. It has been suggested that I be placed on Beta Blockers or an anti seizure medicine as a preventative instead of a treatment. I know if a dot doc sees anti seizure meds I will not pass the DOT physical or can have my card taken. What about Beta blockers? My mother suffers from frequent migraines and the beta blockers seem to be eliminating the severity and frequency. Mine are infrequent, but are severe.
@Mike
You are correct with your seizure medication and not clearing a DOT medical examination.
As far as the beta blockers, you need to talk with your primary doctor regarding this issue. Some beta blockers will still have possible side effects that may cause questions. So check with your PCP and be on the lookout for things like dizziness or other possible side effects from the new medications.
The DOT medical examiner will need a medical release from your doctor, explaining your use of medication.
Can i pass a DOT physical with neuropathy
@Adus
That will depend on a lot of factors. If your condition does interfere with your ability to operate a CMV safely or restricts your ability to pass the DOT “Fit for Duty” examination, then no you will not pass the examination for the medical certificate. All that being said, it really depends on the extent of your condition.
Does Dystonia disqualify from a medical card
@John
It will depend on the level of your condition. The Dystonia is also progressive and your medical cards would be short, so that everyone involved can continue to monitor your condition and your situation. Safety first, not your condition is what FMCSA and the medical examiner are going to be looking at.
my husband has been dx with POTS a type of dystonia what type of DOT restrictions will he have to have to qualify for a DOT renewel
@ tammy c
see above.
Are you able to drive a class a truck if you have ms
@Mike
If you can pass the medical certification examination and are found to be ‘fit for duty’, then you should not have any issues. Make sure you take a medical release form from your doctor. That will answer most of the DOT examiners questions.
How long after a severe concousion does a class a driver have to wait to get medically cleared to return to driving OTR
@James
It will depend on lots of things. Type of injury, conscious or unconscious, any neurological signs or symptoms, etc. Not just one simple answer.
Once cleared by your primary doctor, have him fill out a medical release form and take it with you. It will answer lots of the CME’s questions and help him make a more informed decision for you.
On Feb 3rd 2015 I passed out for no reason and ended up having 3 staples in the back of my head I was sent to a neurologist and had an eeg the results showed that I have partial seizures and put on medication he stated that I could not go back to driving a truck for 90 days per the KY law. He sated that if I couldn’t go back to driving then he would put me on disability but I want to go back to work. Will I ever get to go back to driving otr .
@Rodney
This will really depend on what type of driving you are talking about.
As an OTR driver, it will be a long time before you will be able to return to the road.
As a local, intra-state driver, then it may be a shorter wait period. But you need to consider both the safety for yourself and for the public at large. Follow up with your neurologist and see what he is thinking, then consider what other options you may have for work that does not entail driving. Or if driving, what type. Good Luck
I recently had surgery to drain the blood from a subdural hemotoma. I was unaware, as was the neurosurgeon, that this surgery would disqualify me from passing my d.o.t. physical because it penatrated my “dura”. Are there any exemptions for this type of surgery to get qualified to drive again ?
@Kevin
Just because there was a dural penetration does not mean you are disqualified for life. Direct answer is no, there is no exemption that I am aware of. But that being said, once you are fully healed and the neurosurgeon is happy with the results and he feels that there is no longer any danger in you returning to work, then have him complete a medical release form stating his opinion and bring any qualifying test results to support that opinion.
That will answer most of the questions that the CME will have. The CME has to take into consideration the findings and test results from the neurosurgeon. Based on a multitude of medical opinions, you may be able to return to work as a driver.
Another option may be to drive intra-state only. It’s not as stressful as OTR and you are home more often. Just a thought while you recover and get fully back on your feet.
I had a zeisure back in 2003 when I was in middle school. I apply for a job last week, they send me to do a physical.the doctors company won’t release me because of this issue. I told her all my EEG scans came out negative and that I haven’t had any zeisures for the past 12 yrs. what can I do.
@Hector
Instead of just telling them what your condition is, try taking a medical release form, completed by your doctor. That answers most of the questions that the CME has and he can support his decisions better with a release from your primary doctor.
If a driver has a transient ischemic attack (TIA), are they disqualified from driving a CMV?
@David
Once they have gone through the waiting period following the TIA and if there are no other effects left over from the TIA, then they may be able to return to driving. They may also be able to drive intra-state only, based on the state rules.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 5 years ago. I take ropinirole for tremors and amitriptylin for Parkinson’s insomnia. My neurologist says that he can’t tell that I have any symptoms other than a softening of my voice. Does PD disqualify me from class A CDL?
@Roy
As a general statement no.
But it will be a huge help if you have a medical release form completed by your primary neurologist, explaining your situation. Also, you may be place on a shorter length medical certificate so the CME can continue to monitor your driving capabilities.
I suffer from “Cranial Rectal Inversion” Is that a disqualifying condition for the DOT physical?
@Dick
No it does not, it pretty much makes you as normal as the rest of us in this industry.
Can I pass the DOT physical if I have MS?
@Arleen
Only if you are ‘medically fit’ for duty and can perform the duties of a commercial motor vehicle operator.
You can find those duties on the FMCSA website.
These requirements are explained in our DOT Physical Exam Guidebook.
what are the rules for a transit operator returning to work after a stroke is it a five year hold on your green medical card.
@Myra
If you are not a class A driver traveling interstate, then you need to check with your state DLD to make the final determination.
If you are a class A driver then you will need to get a medical release form completed by your primary doctor explaining where the stroke was. That will be the determining factor on the waiting period.
Thank you ,but what does DLD stands for? So I will know where to look.
DLD – your state driver’s license department.
Thank you that’s the Department of Motor Vehicles I’m in the state of California Northern California that and I went through them they don’t have a clue either I gotta feeling this doctor is not telling the truth cuz I haven’t been able to find it anywhere I think they think I’m a liability at this point which state can’t really admit. Once again thank you so very much for your time
My husband suffered a seizure on October 12, 2014, and was diagnosed with a meningana brain tumor which was removed on October 23, 2014. He is an OTR Owner Operator and we need to know what the possibility is of him going back to work and the time frame. Our nuerosurgeon stated that seizure was caused by tumor and since tumor has been successfully removed he has no risk of another seizure. The nuerologist also took him off of all antiseziure medicines on December 15, 2014.
Any answers we could get would be greatly appreciated.
Sara Shannon
@Sara
This one will be touchy at best. Start with a full release form from the neurologist.
Any CME is going to have a lot of questions at the very beginning and the release will answer most of those questions. With a full release and off anti-seizure medications, there will be a waiting period, but it is based on the neurologist release form. So check with your local DOT examiner, once you have the medical release and he should be able to answer this question better, with all of the available information in hand.