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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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My neurologist believes I might be hdrocephalic. Will this cause me to fail my next physical
@Kevin
First you want a confirming diagnosis and determine if it will effect your overall abilities. Then based on those findings would this question have relevance. At present there is not enough information to give you an answer.
Does a VP Shunt automatically decline you for DOT medical card for Intrastate driving. I have no seizures and have never been on seizure medication. My surgery was in January 2017 and my neurosurgeon has cleared me to return to complete duties that include driving. The DOT Dr said no because I have a shunt and did not say I could bring back a form from my dr to give him more information.
@Jim
If you are an intra-state only driver then you fall under the state’s variances and not FMCSA interstate guidelines. So check with your local drivers license department and ask them if there are restrictions. If not, then take a medical release form from your doctor to your next medical certification examination and make sure you explain to the examiner that you are intra-state driving, not an OTR driver.
Diagnosed with a chronic subdural hematoma after a fall. Had a craniotomy to remove it. No seizures before, during or after procedure. Was told that I would have to wait 3 years and then take a drivers test due to it being a moderate head injury. What can I do?
@Tim
You could try getting a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and his working prognosis. The CME is just following the FMCSA guidelines and can use his own personal judgement to make modifications, but he will need as much supporting documentation as possible before he will vary from the guidelines.
My son is going thru cdl class and getting his hazmat endorsement. At age 16 he was taken to the hospital and they say was an involuntary commitment, but was later transferred that day to a mental
health facility, and he was told he had to the next day to change it to a voluntary commitment to which he did make the change, with no problems since then. Will this effect his hazmat endorsement, and if so what course of action do we need to do to get the change?
@Dave
How long ago was this an issue? Medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation today should be sufficient, if there has been a lengthy lag time. If recent, then a release form from the neurologist will be needed.
I have Bell’s Palsy.
My Neurologist completely released me back to work and drive a commercial vehicle.
My company had me go and retake my DOT PHYSICAL.
I completely passed it.
The doctor’s office is now telling me due to the ” New DOT regulations ” that I have to take my DOT PHYSICAL every year instead of every 2 years.
But they are not showing me these new regulations in written form.
I really would like to see and know what this regulation says about Bell’s Palsy.
@Robert
New DOT regulations? Ask the examiner to see that in writing. If you have a medical release form in hand and your doctor’s working prognosis indicates no known issues, then it is falling directly to the CME and his interpretation of the neurological section of the DOT guidelines.
Does peripheral neuropathy disqualify me from a DOT medical card
@Kenneth
With supporting documentation and the ability to perform the duties of a cmv operator, with no potential safety issues, you could do just fine.
If your condition prevents you from doing your job safely, then it will become an issue. Get a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition and a working prognosis, that will be a huge help to the DOT examiner.
hospitalized with severe depression > how long will this cost me
is prozac ok 40 mg
I was hospitalized with severe depression with suicide attempt > i was misdiagnosed with a large deadly melanoma. that brought on the acute depression . im on prozac now and doing well.20 year driver > will i have to sit out.
had an svt take atenolol
@Michael
You are going to need a medical release form from your doctor stating that you have your condition under control and for how long it has been controlled with your present medications. Also, if possible, have you doctor give his working prognosis too.
I suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage in February, never lost consciousness, never had a seizure or stroke and had it coiled. I was realeased from the hospital at the end of February and as of March 21st was released to work from my primary physician and neurologist. I went to have my CDL re certified and the doctor said I had to wait 6 months. Is this an automatic rule or is it a case by case? Can I go to another doctor and get a second opinion? Would having my doctor submit a medical authorization help? Also, I have another aneurysm that may need to be coiled as a precautionary measure, if I do this do I need to wait another 6 months or since it didn’t rupture would I be okay?
@Pat
The FMCSA guidelines have the recommendations, but a medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation and his working prognosis will be very helpful to the examiner. If the examiner, with all the documentation in hand, feels that you are not a safety risk, then he has the authority to move forward. If you have do have another aneurysm that is going to need to be repaired, you may want to get it out of the way now, otherwise you set the entire thing up for question again.
A week ago I was put on Celexa for depression and atenolol for anxiety and I am interested in getting my Cdl to become a otr truck driver. Will this stop me from passing my first dot physical?
@Inquiring
More than likely. You would need to be on these medications for some period of time. The examiners are looking for stable conditions and supporting documentation before releasing a driver. You could check with a local DOT examiner and ask what your wait times are, for future planning. Good luck
i had an episode of syncope and wrecked my car. my doctor put me on keppra 1000mg twice a day b/c of an irregularity on my 72hr eeg. does this disqualify me from driving d.o.t regulated vehicle. i do not have or need a cdl for my job.
@Bob
You will need to check with your local drivers license department to get the best information in regards to your situation.
Is peripheral neuropathy an automatic disqualification for a dot certification. It is minor, positive spatial awareness and can feel pressure just 2/6 bilat diminished spots on foot pin pick sensation exam? It is stable no change for 10yrs and is a side affect from the chemo received for nonhodgekins lymphoma which is still in remission.
@Sara
Start with a medical release form from your neurologist explaining your condition and situation. That will be a great help for the CME’s decision making process. Good luck
Can I drive a truck for a company as a job if I had a TBI caused by a bicycle accident 3 years ago and the hospital put me in a medically induced coma, and I’ve never had any seizure? Plus, I drive my own car and van and my own motorcycle with my kids?
@Jason
As long as you have a medical release from from your neurologist releasing you with no restrictions, then you would be good to go for the DOT medical examination.
Is 2 level cervical spine fusion a diqualifying condition
@William
Only if it causes uncontrolled pain, or other safety issues. Also, as part of the drivers job description, you should have a relatively good range of motion in the cervical spine. Fortunately most of the range of motion in the neck occurs in the upper cervical segments. So if the fusion is in the lower C spine, then you will probably be fine. Good Luck
Had brain surgery avm removal do you have to wait a year live in ny
@Tom
Have you fully recovered and has your doctor released you to return to work?
If so, then have him complete a medical release form for you explaining your condition and probable prognosis. The CME will be most concerned with the possibilities of a stroke. That is where the waiting period comes into play. If your doctor feels that there is no likelihood of a stroke, then make sure he states that in the release form for you. This one fall into the guidelines gray areas and needs as much supporting information as possible for the CME to make his final decision. Good Luck
My name is Luis. I had a pituitary adenoma removed on November13. I had to do a DOT test because I was out for more than 30 days. They told me I have to wait a year. Please I need some info about this issue. Thanks.
My question is two fold: 1) I had a kidney transplant on 1/30 and am wondering if I will likely be certified. Additionally, in 6/19, when I found out about my health issue, I requested antidepressants, but never really took them and feel that it isn’t an issue, should I disclose this, start taking meds, or what? Thanks
@ Sue
Your kidney transplant is going to raise more then enough questions. Make sure you are ready to provide the documentation need by the CME.
During a recent MRI following ear surgery my doctor discovered a blood clot in my head and put me on Enoxaparin shot every 12 hours to thin my blood. Does this disqualify me from a DOT card?
@Mike
Are you still using the medication? If not, how long have you been off the meds? We need more information to best answer your question.
If a driver had an accident that put him in a coma for several days, but since then has not had any neurological problems and has a clearance from his neurologist, would he be disqualified from obtaining his state of FL medical card? This event happened 7 years ago. Also, the driver would work for a municipality and only engage in intrastate commerce.
Thank you,
@Jan
There should not be any real issues with this situation. Especially since he is an intra-state only driver, he falls under the states variances.
I currently have my cdl from Pennsylvania . I have not been driving commercially since August 2015. I had one time unprovoked seizure in August 15 the neurologist I went to put me on seizure med for a few months and I’m currently NOT on them now since July 2016 . I was wondering if there is a waiting period to get my medical card to continue driving. And if there is what would I need to go back to driving commercially.
@Dan
Tough one here. You have a 5 year waiting period, once off the medications and seizure free before you could go back to interstate driving.
That being said, you may want to check into driving intra-state only. You get to keep you cdl and are only limited by the states variances rather than FMCSA. It is the best opinion that we are aware of at this time for you. Good Luck
Hello,
I hope you can help. About 2 years ago I got really dizzy at home, my wife panicked and called an ambulance which took me to the emergency room. The doctor doesn’t know what happened, but on my medical records it states possible veritgo. They did give me two prescriptions, which I’ve never used. That was the first and only time thats happened to me in my life. I’ve never experienced that prior or since. Will I still be able to get my CDL? Thank you in advance.
@Don
It should not be a problem. Just explain that it was a one time episode and has never happened again. You should also have your primary care doctor fill in a medical release form stating exactly the same thing.
Thank you!
I have had a VP Shunt for six years and just had to have a surgery for the valve and catheter to be replaced with new. I am now being told I can not pass the DOT physical exam and drive commercial trucks for one year after the surgery date. I can’t find this information anywhere to confirm. Is this true?
@Spenser
It falls in a very gray zone with the FMCSA. After the repair and once fully recovered, you could get a medical release form signed by the surgeon and neurologist indicating the prognosis and possible ill effects of the repair. With a release form from your doctors in hand, you may have a better chance because the CME now has more information to work with and the needed information is now coming from the neurologist and the surgeon. Good Luck