Prescribed Drug Question? DOT

I cant find anywhere online an answer to this question. I was prescribed Xanax (or the generic version) specifically for anxiety for flying only. I do NOT take it every day only as needed a couple times a year for flying. In fact the prescription is months and months old and hasn't been refilled. I actually don't really need it anymore even to fly.(just knowing you have it if you need it makes the difference if you hate to fly) Is this something that could hinder my DOT examine? or employment?

Probably not...you will need to get a letter from your doctor, which states why the drug was prescribed...that should settle the issue. Good to have you on TT...we are here to help...ask all the questions you have, and take advantage of the links, information, and High Road Training Program...it will be the best thing you did before going to cdl school !!

If you haven't taken it in months you should be fine. But I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be an approved drug for commercial driving so you'd have to make sure it's out of your system before taking any drug tests. You will also want to bring your prescription and disclose that you were on it at one point in case it does show up.

I mentioned before that cr england told me they had a driver on 4 zanex a day. so be up front,do what you have to do. i also find comfort in just having my baby valium on hand. you,re right just knowing they are there works as good as taking them.

I mentioned before that cr england told me they had a driver on 4 zanex a day. so be up front,do what you have to do. i also find comfort in just having my baby valium on hand. you,re right just knowing they are there works as good as taking them.

Seriously I hope that they did not say that about one of their drivers. Zanex(sp?) has a well know history of cause memory lapses in people that take it and often black out periods. Can't say i will be comfortable being around a driver that was taking that type of drug while in control of a CMV.

Xanax (Generic name: alprazolam)

If you read the link above and I had to search for it cause I was curious myself I now can firmly say I defiantly do not want to be anywhere near the driver that was taking Xanax or even a generic form of it.

While listing the side effects does not make it illegal by any means and I am not saying any of these side effects will happen but if there is a small chance of a side effect happening that is what the DOT look at. An since falling asleep behind the wheel is a major focus of the FMCSA I would think even if the DOT does not disallow it that most trucking companies insurances would not allow a hire if they thought it could cost them millions in a lawsuit.

Now with all that said I could find no where that stated Xanax disqualifies a person from driving a CMV but everything above is strictly my opinion.

I mentioned before that cr england told me they had a driver on 4 zanex a day. so be up front,do what you have to do. i also find comfort in just having my baby valium on hand. you,re right just knowing they are there works as good as taking them.

Seriously I hope that they did not say that about one of their drivers. Zanex(sp?) has a well know history of cause memory lapses in people that take it and often black out periods. Can't say i will be comfortable being around a driver that was taking that type of drug while in control of a CMV.

Xanax (Generic name: alprazolam)

If you read the link above and I had to search for it cause I was curious myself I now can firmly say I defiantly do not want to be anywhere near the driver that was taking Xanax or even a generic form of it.

While listing the side effects does not make it illegal by any means and I am not saying any of these side effects will happen but if there is a small chance of a side effect happening that is what the DOT look at. An since falling asleep behind the wheel is a major focus of the FMCSA I would think even if the DOT does not disallow it that most trucking companies insurances would not allow a hire if they thought it could cost them millions in a lawsuit.

Now with all that said I could find no where that stated Xanax disqualifies a person from driving a CMV but everything above is strictly my opinion.

Certainly would never ever consider driving on it , carrying it the truck or bringing it anywhere near trucking. I was just wondering if it would disqualify me from a company or any DOT for even having the prescription in my name even though I only take it once or twice a year for flying anxiety. This is NOT a drug I take regularly.

What it comes down to is either the drug is legal for commercial driving or it isn't. And I strongly suspect it isn't. So if you have a trucking job and Xanax is not on the approved list but it shows up on a drug test then you've failed the test and you'll be terminated just the same as if it was Marijuana or Cocaine regardless of whether or not you have a legal prescription for it.

So it's not going to be OK to take it sometimes. Not if you have a job driving truck. It's either OK 100% of the time or none of the time because you will be taking random drug tests - often times hair follicle tests - and even a small dosage can show up months later.

I'm sure there are prescriptions they could switch you to that would be approved for commercial driving. Then you'll be fine.