Type 1 Diabetes And DOT Medical Waivers
Topic 12019 | Page 1
Look in the diary section. I started a thread there. It will give a few answers, but probably create more.
I thought I would tap the hive mind on here to give me some advice/information on obtaining a Class A CDL license with insulin dependent Type 1 diabetes. I did a search on here but it looks like the thread I found was over 2 years old and I didn't want to look at old/changed info.
I did a search online and saw that there is a waiver that can be obtained and that an insulin dependent Type 1 diabetic cannot be outright disqualified as a driver anymore. I'm hoping that at some point my husband will take an interest in driving and eventually want to team with me, but he's insulin dependent. It's well controlled, and it's been over 20 years since he was hospitalized for anything related to his diabetes. He has no peripheral vascular disease (yet), no eye problems, and really no other problems other than taking a long acting insulin before bed and fast acting insulin before each meal. He checks his blood sugars regularly, and when he feels he's getting low a quick glass of orange juice usually does the trick.
I was just wondering if the medical waivers are difficult to obtain, and if anyone on here has had to obtain the same waivers and what it was like and what it is that we might need to keep in mind. Now that I've started CDL school he's actually seemed more interested in the idea, and I would like to encourage him as much as I can.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Diabetes_Exemption_Package0706.pdf
im not famillar with getting a CDL while having any type of Diabietes, however, a quick google search came up with this...
Requirements
The Federal Diabetes and Vision Exemption Programs have specific requirements, as well as requests for hearing and seizure exemptions. These requests may include medical exams, employment history, driving experience and motor vehicle records which must be submitted with the application. The Agency will make a final decision within 180 days of receipt of the complete application.
Applying for an Exemption
An individual may apply for an exemption from the diabetes, hearing, seizure and vision standard, section 391.41(b)(3) and 391.41(b)(11), 391.41(b)(8) or 391(b)(10) of the regulation, by utilizing these programs. If you do not currently meet the diabetes, hearing, seizure and/or vision standard and are unable to obtain a medical card, you may be an eligible candidate.
Please note that all exemption programs are for drivers who intend to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. FMCSA does not have statutory authority to grant waivers/exemptions to drivers from states' intrastate requirements. Therefore, the FMCSA waivers/exemptions do not permit regulatory relief for drivers who plan to limit their operations to intrastate commerce.
- See more at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs#sthash.Pyjpu6gk.dpuf
That being said, the application is pretty straight forward....
Dear Applicant: Thank you for your interest in the Federal Diabetes Exemption Program. The information in this letter and the accompanying materials need to be read carefully. The applicant is responsible for providing all required information. The following information is required to be submitted:
1. Applicant Information Checklist;
2. Signed copy of the Medical Examination Report (completed by the Medical Examiner);
3. Signed copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (completed by the Medical Examiner);
4. Endocrinologist Evaluation Checklist;
5. Vision Evaluation Checklist;
6. Copy of your driver’s license and motor vehicle record.
Heres the link to the FMCSA and the link for the application
it may be a little time consuming on his part..
David
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Interstate Commerce:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate Commerce:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Motor Vehicle Record:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
It also looks like he'll either have a quartly review or yearly review for the waiver.
It also looks like he'll either have a quartly review or yearly review for the waiver.
It takes a minimum if 6 months to get the waiver. And some states will only allow intra state driving. Keeping the waiver is just as bad as getting it, from what i hear. I am type 2, just recently went a round with insulin.
I am Type II and am currently waiting to get my medical waiver. I have only completed 1 week of class for my CDL A. I have a Class B already with an interstate only restriction and a Class A permit. It took me almost 2 months just to complete pall the medical tests and doctors appointments to submit the application. I am still waiting to just get on the 30-day list. Once on the list, I will have to wait 30 days before I will receive the waiver. I submitted my medical waiver paperwork to the Feds on October 5th. Once I get the waiver, I will have to see an endocrinologist every 3 months to keep the waiver. Hope that gives you a current picture of the waiver process.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Thank you! I had seen all the information online through my own Google searches, but I had been looking for someone here with actual experience with the process. It's definitely a time consuming thing, but it doesn't seem impossible.
It is very time consuming! Your husband will have to be really determined and dedicated to the process. The FMCSA is currently considering changing the Endocrinologist review period from every 3 months to annually.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Yeah, it looks like a lot of work. He's not 100% sold on joining me, so I'm hoping this process doesn't make him decide unequivocally that he's not interested.
Hi guys,
I live in fla and I am in the process of getting my cdl exemption - well I started the process first of may. I found a doctor willing to be the Medical Examiner. That alone was a *****, most don't want the hassle. This doctor has done one so was willing to work with me. After the exam that I passed no problem other than my blood, he sent me to a diabetic specialist. Everything went good there (so I thought). Then the eye doctor, that was easy. I went back to the Medical Examiner again with all of my paper work. He reviewed it and then sent me to a Neurologist. Passed everything but to be sure he asked me to go for a nerve test at a cost of $675. After a few conversations with the nerve dr he agreed that a letter stating my neuropathy will not impede my driving. Like I said, started in May, it's now mid Aug. at a cost of over $1500 in doctors visits and I am hopefully to get the papers back from the Medical Examiner tomorrow so they can be faxed and orig mailed.
In my case I'm 54, not overweight, on Hemoglobin twice a day. So far it has been a nightmare but I have a great opportunity with my company to drive our new roll off truck. Anyone with experience with this process, I would love to hear your experience. PLEASE stay on topic. Thanks
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
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I thought I would tap the hive mind on here to give me some advice/information on obtaining a Class A CDL license with insulin dependent Type 1 diabetes. I did a search on here but it looks like the thread I found was over 2 years old and I didn't want to look at old/changed info.
I did a search online and saw that there is a waiver that can be obtained and that an insulin dependent Type 1 diabetic cannot be outright disqualified as a driver anymore. I'm hoping that at some point my husband will take an interest in driving and eventually want to team with me, but he's insulin dependent. It's well controlled, and it's been over 20 years since he was hospitalized for anything related to his diabetes. He has no peripheral vascular disease (yet), no eye problems, and really no other problems other than taking a long acting insulin before bed and fast acting insulin before each meal. He checks his blood sugars regularly, and when he feels he's getting low a quick glass of orange juice usually does the trick.
I was just wondering if the medical waivers are difficult to obtain, and if anyone on here has had to obtain the same waivers and what it was like and what it is that we might need to keep in mind. Now that I've started CDL school he's actually seemed more interested in the idea, and I would like to encourage him as much as I can.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.