Question About The DOT Medical Certificate (DOT Card)
Topic 13104 | Page 2
Most drivers that are overweight - also suffer from high blood pressure - and are usually borderline, or have to be on medication.
"Supposedly" - if you are within BP specs when on medication, you are "supposed" to get a two year card. The rule is somewhat vague, and a lot of medical examiners will be overly cautious and issue a 1 year card.
Being that overweight also throws a red flag for BMI and sleep apnea - and while no ACTUAL RULE EXISTS for this (that is mandatory enforced yet), there is a question on the new 2016 DOT Medical Long Form that addresses height/weight/BMI.
Not to rag on overweight people or anything. At 5'5" - I've run the gamut from 307 lbs (literally dying on my feet), down to 170 - and currently right around 200. For me personally, as soon as I get around the 200 mark, my BP starts going up.
So I'm getting the feeling that since the new long form has been greatly expanded (and overly intrusive), examiners are leaning towards issuing 1 year cards. While a PITA - it also forces the drivers to be more closely monitored for health conditions that may go unnoticed if they're only being checked every 2 years.
The new Long Forms also have a question regarding whether you have ever been issued a 1 year card - and why. This causes the examiner to look at little more closely at the driver for disqualifying health conditions.
I've met a lot of bloated wheezing drivers through the years, that make me wonder how they get a med card, much less survive OTR.
Rick
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
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.
Rick wrote:
"Supposedly" - if you are within BP specs when on medication, you are "supposed" to get a two year card. The rule is somewhat vague, and a lot of medical examiners will be overly cautious and issue a 1 year card.
Just pulled this off the FMCSA website, it doesn't look vague to me. If on meds for controlling BP, you can only qualify for a 1 year card.
As follows:
For how long is my medical certificate valid?
The certificate is valid for 2 years. In addition, drivers with specific medical conditions require more frequent certification: Hypertension (high blood pressure) stable on treatment 1 year Heart disease 1 year Qualified under 391.64 the original diabetes and vision waiver program 1 year New insulin and vision exemption program 1 year Driving in exempt intra-city zone 1 year Determination by examiner that condition requires more frequent monitoring, such as diabetes mellitus or sleep disorders.
Last Updated : April 1, 2014
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
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
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.
More info on BP and the 1 year medical card. Again it's fairly clear. As follows:
Copied from CFR 21 Part 391.43
Blood pressure (BP). If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90-159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
More info on BP and the 1 year medical card. Again it's fairly clear. As follows:
Copied from CFR 21 Part 391.43
Blood pressure (BP). If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90-159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months.
It's clear there - but vague to the medical examiner I saw 3 years ago. She refused to give me anything but a 3 month, with 130/93 - so I got on meds, and got under the guidelines. She SHOULD HAVE issued me a 1 year off the bat, as I was within the guidelines for one. I tried to point out the specifics of the regs - but she was adamant. I wasn't driving at the time - but needed to keep my med card current, so as to not downgrade my CDL to a Class E.
I dieted, lost 60lbs, got off the meds - and got a 2 year on my renewal a year later.
No big deal - it was a red flag I had let my weight get out of control. At 5'5", anything over 200 lbs, and my BP goes out of whack.
Another note for folks.
DO NOT SMOKE OR DRINK COFFEE the day of your physical - BOTH will cause your BP to rise - even if it is normal. If you're borderline - combine that with the anxiety of the physical (white coat syndrome), and you may find yourself FAILING on BP and getting sent home to get treated.
Trucking companies are NOT INTERESTED in hiring folks on a 3 month card - you need to get at least a 1 year card. It would be helpful for folks that are borderline on the regs, to get their BP UNDER CONTROL - BEFORE you go to orientation.
Rick
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.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Whenever a driver changes companies, the new company has every right to request another physical. In the case of a private school a medical card is required for a student to drive with a permit.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.