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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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If I had a Tia a and the doctor writes”to a certain degree of medical certainty I can say thi patient is fit to drive a bus.the doctor is a neurologist ,can I still be forced to wait one year by aa dot certified dr
@Richard
A lot depends on the class license you are presently operating under.
If it is a class A then one year, if it class B or intra-state only, then you fall into the state variances and need to check with your local drivers license department for their opinion on your situation.
I received completed a DOT physical for CRST and the doctor denied my medical card for a unsubstantiated concussion that I had back in Iraq in 2003. The information was provided to the doctor by the VA from the TBI clinic. I have never had a seizure, blurred vision, vertigo, nausea, or anything more severe than a headache in the past 10 years which can usually be attributed to missed doses of my hypertension medication or insufficient fluid intake. Is this a valid reason to deny my medical card and can I rebut it? If so, how and what steps do I need to take?
@Lyndell
If you want you could go some where else for a second opinion. If the VA is supporting the negative findings of a concussion, then the CME should be taking that information into consideration and using it to make their final decision.
My husband has been diagnosed with glioblastoma brain tumor He has had surgery to remove the tumor and is about to start radiation and chemo. Later he will be on a chemo maintenance treatment. His surgeon has said thathat she doesn’t think he should have any problem returning to work. He hauls doubles for a freight company. Will this diagnosis keep him from returning to work?
@Jane
Once fully healed and ready to return to work, he would need a medical release form from the doctors and be able to pass the DOT medical examination for ‘fit for duty’.
He may be restricted to drive intra-state only, all depends on his physical condition at the time of the examination.
Will Bells Palsey patients typically be able to obtain a DOT medical card.
@Andy
Only if the Palsy does not interfere with the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
You may want to get a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation. In and of itself, it is not an instant disqualifier.
Is Parkinson’s Disease (successfully managed with minimal medication) an automatic disqualifier? Just went for my DOT exam and when I put PD (diagnosed two years ago) on the form, he automatically disqualified me, even though I have a release from my neurologist and PD specialized physical therapist.
@Dave
Request a second opinion from someone else. Take all of your documentation with you. It’s a touchy situation, but if the condition is being well managed and you are on a short (one year) medical certificate for ongoing monitoring, then you may be good to go. But you must provide documentation and a medical release form explaining your situation. You would still have to pass all the other aspects of the physical.
I have MCI mild cognitive impairment can I renew my cdl ive had for 25 years
@John
First thing you want to do is a get a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation, and if there are any limiting factors.
With that in hand then go get the DOT medical examination. If there are restrictions, then you may want to check with the drivers license department and see if you can drive intra-state only.
My husband had a CVST back in April, he has no lingering deficits. His last CT, done two weeks ago came back clear, there are no predisposing factors to having another one, no hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or clotting disorders. His neurologist cleared him to drive knowing what he does. The CME would not release him. Is there any way to get him on the road sooner than a year?
@Melisa
Start with a medical release form from the doctor explaining the situation and the procedures that have been taken with all followup test results. With that information in hand, go get a second opinion somewhere else. If everything else checks out, then you should be OK. Maybe limited for ongoing monitoring for a bit, but should be back on the road.
I have Myasthenia Gravis and am being treated with IVIG . How long do I have to be under control before attempting to see DOT doctor for recertification?
@Gary
If your primary physician feels that your condition is stable and fills out a medical release form for you, then you should be alright. You will be limited to one year at the time due to the progressive nature of the condition.
Hi everyone, Look i have a a huge issue with my primary doctor signing medical release form for epilepsy . This Doctor has been giving me the run around . He is aware that i have been Seizure free for over a year recorded and now free of any medication. Todsy i went in to pick up the forms omly to hear him make up more excuses . He made me go on a drug urine random testing , nuerologist and now he says have the nurrologist sign . But the Nuero said he cant becuase i was only there for EEG, EKG,AND Sleep Apnia test. Which all came out to be normal. Today i was so upset becuase he again asked me for urine test and lab work after just 3 weeks of doing those exact test for him. I have no drug past and dont understand why hes consitrating on that issue instead of signing my form .i just decided to walk out and want to know wha i can so please help
@Daniel
You need a medical release form from your treating doctors. One from the neurologist that treated you and one from your primary. The CME is needing information letting him know that you are on no medication and for how long you have been off any anti-seizure medications. And one indicating the length of time that you have been seizure free.
I’m trying to obtain my medical card but due to having myesthaina gravis I failed; it’s been in remission for the past 2 years and I see my neurologist for it. Can she complete the appeal on my behalf and I redo the exam?
@Christopher
Depending on the class drivers license you are going for will depend on your restrictions. Your best bet is to start with a medical release form from your neurologist explaining your condition and his working prognosis.
If you are going for a class A you will need as much information as possible to support your doctors findings.
If you just need a medical card to do around town deliveries, then the medical release should be enough.
I was diagnosed with a concussion and with post concussion syndrome 2 1/2 years ago. I passed my DOT physical 2 years ago. When I recently went to renew my DOT physical, I was disqualified due to the post concussion syndrome issues – cognitive and memory issues. Both my primary care physician and neurologist released me to work but the DOT physician did not. Does this disqualify me from obtaining my medical card?
@Troy
If you have full releases from your neurologist and your primary, then you should be fine. The CME may be over-reading the guidelines, but you are welcome to go for a second opinion any where you like.
Is there a list of medications that are definitely approved to take while driving truck? Something that could help with anxiety and/or depression. I’m not looking for a list of meds that might be approved depending on the Dr., but meds that are cleared by the DOT. Is there such a thing?
@Stephani
There are no ‘approved’ medications.
If you are on medication you will need a medical release from your prescribing doctor, that will help inform the medical examiner who does your physical exam.
See this information on the medical release to better understand the process.
So I had brain surgery for a none cancer cyst back in 10.1.2015. I was off work three weeks doctor released me to go back to work. I have been driving truck for the past six months. I just went to get my medical card renewal and the doctor won’t sign off on it until the talks to the surgeon . even tho I past all the testing. So here is the problem. Both doctors are busy and keep playing phone tag while my old card gets closer and closer to expiring. The d.o.t doctor will not sign the card until they doctor nothing in writing is good enough. I have no idea what to do next? Make an appointment with a different doc to get my card renewal or what? I have to work I have a family
@Shawn
A properly completed doctors release form should be sufficient. The CME does not NEED to talk to the surgeon, all he needs is supporting documentation / information that you are ready to go back to work.
It has been one year since I have had a stroke. The stroke affected my field of vision,my neurologist told me he could not qualify me again to drive a commercial vehicle and that I would have to be qualified by an opthamologist. Don’t know where to start! Should I try to get a CME from my opthamologist or should I start by seeing a DOT physical doctor? I never surrender my CDL license and my DOT card is good til June 2016. I haven’t driven a commercial vehicle since the stroke,just trying to go thru proper procedures to be re qualified.
@Mark
Just have an eye examination with your eye doctor and take that information with you to the DOT examination. Also make sure you have a medical release form from your neurologist releasing you to return to work.
I am submitting my question again because it disappeared, sorry. I was trying to get a DOT certification and was disqualified. I had a stroke 11 years ago but the CME had my neurologist sign a paper saying all was good and he signed it. She then found neuropathy in some med records and I went back to my neurologist and again, he signed that I was ok to do a driving position, two more forms he ok’d. The CME will not reconsider and Im still disqualified. Can I take all my ok’d forms to a new clinic and get a second opinion?
@Lucie
Yes, definitely.
Help.. I have a letter from prescribing physician that I am stable on medication I have been taking for two years.. I am being refused a dot physical after getting the run around .. What can I do about this..
@Chasiaty
Try a second opinion somewhere else.
My neurologist signed off on 3 different papers that I was fit to drive a CMV even tho I had a stroke 11 years ago, all is well, and that i now have the mildest form of neuropathy, all is well also. I still was disqualified. Can I take all of my papers that the neurologist signed off on to a new clinic for a second opinion?
I want to be re-certified but I have Miasthenia Gravis. I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I have been taking my medications and it is under control. I went for my DOT physical and I was told that M G would disqualify me.
I passed everything else. I did submit this question in Feb. 2016 but do not see any comment.
@Milt
Get a medical release form from your doctor explain your condition and existing prognosis. That should help any CME make better decisions regarding your case. You may be limited to one year at the time due to the progressive nature of your condition and the desire to continually monitor your situation.
I was diagnosed with a TIA 2 months ago. Does the same rule applies for the waiting period to start back driving again for a CDL Bus driver verses a CDL Truck driver and getting passed for another Medical card?
@Houston
Check with your state drivers license department here. If you operate as an intra-state only driver, then you may be functioning on some different regs.
I was disqualified by the doctor because I was admitted to a psychiatric ward twice I am a veteran who has PTSD and it stems from my time in service. I take Zoloft for it and have not had an accident nor harmed anyone. I feel that I am being discriminated against because of that. What should I do to get my medical card back?
I am having a similar problem please let me know what came of this
Have multiple conditions. Have been on an FMCSA diabetic exemption for the last 10 years. As part of that regiment, I have to see my endocrinologist quarterly to fill out forms and evaluate my condition for driving. During the last 10 years, I have stents put in 5 times. No heart attack, just plaque blockages which were caught before any heart damage occurred. I take Effient as a blood thinner. I was still approved to remain driving. I’m on a sleep apnea machine for disruptive snoring. My yearly eye examine shows only mild background diabetic retinopathy, so no problem there.
In October, 2015, I went on Gabapentin for diabetic neuropathy – my little toes burn at night when rubbing against the sheets. My encodrinologist filled out my FMCSA quarterly forms correctly stating the change of condition/new diagnosis, and nothing more was said.
Then this March I had a ministroke (a vessel the size of a hair – a microvascular ischemic thrombic lesion) in the left lateral hypothalamus which affected a little numbness in upper and lower right lip and a small amount of numbness in the right thumb and forefinger. So knowing about the possible one year delay, I went in the the medical examiner to get disqualified officially or to start the one year (or less) wait period. The neurologist gave me clearance to drive, but said I have small blood vessel damage in a few places (I assume in my brain). Hypertension and high glucose levels were the only things I can do to minimize more of these incidents. The scans of my head/brain arteries were absolutely clear with no blockages at all, unlike my heart. My blood pressure is well controlled (on four meds) . My A1c’s have been higher than desired at 8.5-9.0, (last 8.6).
The medical examiner told me she was following the minimum guidelines of a one year wait because of the possibility of more occurrences of a stroke. But when she saw I take Gabapentin, she said the neuropathy (not progressing and very mild) would most likely be a dis-qualifier in itself. So if I get a letter from the neurologist and endocrinologist saying I’m OK to drive and the neuropathy in my feet does not affect my driving, will I be able to be re-certified, or am most likely un-certifiable. My wife really wants me to fight to keep driving. I’m only 57. I’m not on any other meds which would dis-qualify me.
@Louis
You’ll need to get a medical release form from your doctor explaining why you are taking the meds that you take. The Gabapentin is also used as an anticonvulsant, and that is going to trigger a lot of questions that could be answered quickly with the doctor’s release form.
I am paraplegic due to Guillain-Barre syndrome, which did not affect my upper body. I have been driving for 47 years with hand controls, took my initial driving test with hand controls, and have had that restriction on my license for all of those years. I want to buy new hand controls. Do I have to have certification, after all these years, in order to purchase new hand controls? If so, does the state offer this anywhere at no cost?
@ Debbie
That is going to be a question for your local drivers license department.
I had Brain surgery 5 yrs ago and took anti-seizure Meds for 2yrs but never had a seizure. I have worked in Transportation for 30 yrs . Does this Medication disqualify me from CDL forever, or will I be able to go back to my regular duties as a driver . I have been off the Meds for 3 yrs. I really need some answers My Life cant stay on hold any longer.
@Helen
What was the reasoning for the brain surgery? Depending on what the reasoning was for placing you on this meds will determine what direction to move in.