Will My Medical Condition Disqualify Me from Being a Truck Driver?
Life as a CDL truck driver can be both rewarding and demanding. There are mental and physical requirements for being behind the wheel for long hours, as well as actual labor-intensive responsibilities such as securing and adjusting loads. For this reason, all DOT-regulated CDL drivers who operate vehicles weighing at least 10,000 pounds (GVWR/GCWR) are required to have a DOT physical once every two years. These exams are conducted by Certified Medical Examiners. They review the driver’s medical history, discuss any medications taken, and perform a general physical to check for potential medical issues. A truck driver who passes the physical receives a DOT medical card good for the next two years.
Sometimes, though, a truck driver who’s working (or trying to gain work) will discover a health issue that could possibly exclude him or her from operating a CMV (commercial motor vehicle).
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) has identified certain medical conditions that disqualify truck drivers from passing a physical exam and receiving their DOT card. According to the FMCSA website, a driver is “medically required to not only drive the vehicle safely, but also to do pre and post trip safety inspections, secure the load and make sure it has not shifted. Bus drivers have different demands.” Medical conditions that can disqualify a commercial truck driver include hearing loss, vision loss, epilepsy and insulin use. In addition, the use of certain medications, including medical marijuana, can affect whether or not a driver qualifies for a DOT card.
The medical examiner does, however, have some discretion when dealing with certain medical conditions. For example, hypertension does not automatically disqualify a truck driver, depending on if and how it is being treated. The medical examiner also has discretion to call for further testing while weighing a decision about respiratory illnesses, or a skill performance evaluation (SPE) in the case of missing or impaired limbs. Truck drivers can also request an exemption for their medical condition and in some cases, a disqualification may only be temporary.
If concerns come up before or during your DOT physical examination, discuss them honestly with your medical examiner. This can help you make important health decisions to get your career back over the road.