About Dot Physical...

I'm hoping to take my physical soon and had a question about it. I suffered through a few bouts of depression in my early twenties and voluntarily admitted myself to the hospital twice. I take no medicine or have any depression problems now ( was cleared almost a decade ago now), do I need to give them this information or not? If so does this mean I'm doomed?

Likely won't show up anywhere - though I am not advising you fail to disclose.

BEST BET if you were "cleared", is to get a medical clearance from the doctor/hospital who cleared you. Or the last pysch doctor that took you off meds.

It's less a matter of whether or not it's an issue for you NOW - than PROVING it isn't. There are plenty of drivers that suffer from depression, and take meds for it (as long as that is also documented, and the particular med isn't on the companies "no fly list"), so having a past history of depression shouldn't present an serious issue - as long as THE OUTCOME IS DOCUMENTED.

The new (2016) DOT Med Long Forms are a lot more detailed than the previous one. Which has created some issues of over-cautious medical examiners seeking documentation for old issues that may not even be available any more. A few of the docs from old medical hospitalizations of mine are either dead or long retired. Good luck to me getting clearances for surgeries/hospitalizations that occurred in the '90's.

So no - you're not "doomed", but you are going to have to go through the hassle of assembling documentation for ANY ISSUE YOU DISCLOSE.

Rick

I also had clinical depression and a prescription for it in my past (15 years ago). I don't remember them asking anything in reference to that type of thing as far as the past is concerned. If I/you were currently or recently on any medication for it than yes, you would have to disclose this information. Since we are healed from it, I don't believe it's anything you need to mention unless asked.

I didn't know they changed the physicals again. Last one I took was last summer.

2016 Long Form https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/MedicalExaminationReportFormMCSA5875.pdf

For all the questions - it has: Do you or have you ever had...

Question 14. Anxiety, depression, nervousness, other mental health problems.

So technically - if you have had, and answer NO - you are lying on a federal form - because you have to certify by signing the form:

CMV DRIVER'S SIGNATURE I certify that the above information is accurate and complete. I understand that inaccurate, false or missing information may invalidate the examination and my Medical Examiner's Certificate, that submission of fraudulent or intentionally false information is a violation of 49 CFR 390.35, and that submission of fraudulent or intentionally false information may subject me to civil or criminal penalties under 49 CFR 390.37 and 49 CFR 386 Appendices A and B.

No one here, is going to recommend that you LIE - but we have an obligation to inform you of your options.

Rick

My apologies if my response wasn't clear. I just didn't remember being asked, but if it is asked (i.e. verbal or on any form they may give you which appears to be the case now) then yes. Answer truthfully. Since it's in there now maybe think about how you will "comment further".

I personally will be keeping it simple since this is something I will be dealing with too now. If they want to dig into it farther than how many years ago it was & that I have not suffered from any symptoms since and am not on any medications for it.......then well....I'll probably just answer whatever they want to know but will be looking into if I was wrongfully asked any questions. I could see it being a concern if it was something recent.

I'm still appalled that they asked me what kind of birth control I am on. They should ask the guys too what they do for birth control ppffftttt. Side question: Does anyone know why they started asking women that?

Kemo wrote:

I'll probably just answer whatever they want to know but will be looking into if I was wrongfully asked any questions

It's a federal form that every CDL holder is subjected to. How can they (it) ask any questions "wrongfully" and what exactly constitutes a "wrongful" question IYO?

Kemo, there is no "probably" here. These are binary questions; "yes or no". You must tell the truth and let them decide if it warrants further investigation or testing. If you had your tonsils out 20 years ago, no one is going to care but you still need to specify that it occurred and approximately "when".

Not so binary. They ask for further written comments to any yes questions and then the medical examiner will review and ask further questions if they feel necessary. And then make notes of whether or not they feel the driver can safely operate a CMV. Says so above the other boxes.

There is a potential for the questions to go farther than they need to esp considering mental health issues. It would be a legal problem with the physician if unnecessary questions are asked. I have felt that a physician and/or someone with "authority" has asked questions they legally should not have in the past when I was younger but did not do anything about it. I don't want to play the "female" card on it but mentioning that may give you a better idea of what I'm talking about. I will side mention that I'm not the type nowadays to not question things I feel concerned about, including our government or just blindly trust "the authorities".

A good portion of the subjects on the form make sense. Other ones, I disagree with, but it is what it is. I won't give any more information than what is necessary. It's just my personal opinion that some of these things should have a time limit cap, like have you had within the past X amount of years. Hopefully my next go around with the physical I can get the same female doctor that did mine last year.

Kemo wrote:

Not so binary. They ask for further written comments to any yes questions and then the medical examiner will review and ask further questions if they feel necessary. And then make notes of whether or not they feel the driver can safely operate a CMV. Says so above the other boxes.

There is a potential for the questions to go farther than they need to esp considering mental health issues. It would be a legal problem with the physician if unnecessary questions are asked. I have felt that a physician and/or someone with "authority" has asked questions they legally should not have in the past when I was younger but did not do anything about it. I don't want to play the "female" card on it but mentioning that may give you a better idea of what I'm talking about. I will side mention that I'm not the type nowadays to not question things I feel concerned about, including our government or just blindly trust "the authorities".

A good portion of the subjects on the form make sense. Other ones, I disagree with, but it is what it is. I won't give any more information than what is necessary. It's just my personal opinion that some of these things should have a time limit cap, like have you had within the past X amount of years. Hopefully my next go around with the physical I can get the same female doctor that did mine last year.

The "yes" or "no" part? It's binary. The comments...that's another thing.

Well ya the yes or no part is binary that's not the part I am talking about.

for driver: "Did you answer "yes" to any of questions 1-32? If so, please comment further on those health conditions below."

for examiner: "Review and discuss pertinent driver answers"

I not as upset as it may be coming across in text form. But, I still have my concerns.

BTW: I asked the female doc last year why the feds started requiring asking women about reproductive questions after she started asking. She said she really didn't know why it was added, just that it was a new regulation she has to follow. Maybe I'm not the only one who wonders what's up with some of the new questions.

Like I said tho, some of this stuff, ya sure. It's important for a DOT physical, other things? Not so much.

Kemo wrote:

Well ya the yes or no part is binary that's not the part I am talking about.

Sorry Kemo, that wasn't clear to me wen I read your reply.

Fact is that many of us, me included have yet to experience the revised long-form. My date with the Doc is early December of this year for the re-cert. There are broken bones, athletic injuries (concussion), and a tonsillectomy that I now need to disclose. To me none of them are relevant and hopefully will not cause an issue (especially the concussion from 40 years ago). They are all ancient history, but like it not, they are now asking for a complete medical history and not just the last few years. Be thankful you are still young and not my age.