Can A DOT Medical Examiner Require My Full Medical And/or Mental History Record As A Condition To Passing The Physical?
Topic 23326 | Page 1
Hello Kristina, and welcome to our forum!
The short answer is YES.
As a professional driver you are considered to be in a "safety sensitve" profession which can potentially have devastating effects on the general public and other motorists. Most newbies just wanting to get started at this are blissfully ignorant of the damage an 80,000 pound (that's 40 tons!) vehicle can do. We all have to submit our medical history to a Medical examiner.
There are certain drugs that are considered disqualifiers, and in addition to that each company can decide on their own if they aren't comfortable with allowing other drugs to be used by their drivers. Any anti-seizure medication will be looked into further and will most likely not be allowed.
Here's Some Additional Information You Can Read that should answer some of your questions:
DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
We've had some folks in the past who were able to have their prescribing physician change their medication to something more agreeable with the regulations. That may be a possibility for you.
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.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Also, in addition to your DOT physical, some companies will do their own physical with their own doctors. These company physicals are for the company and not DOT. Those can be anything they want. Good luck.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you for answering my question! And I will definitely look into other medication options!
Heres an example, Trazadone which is a non addictive anti anxiety med that many hospitals use as a sleep aid will disqualify you from my company.
I didnt think it was just the meds. I honestly thought bipolar/border line personality disorder was a DOT disqualifier.
good luck...and ill look for the DOT site where i think i saw it.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Kristina, pervRainy’s suggestion, here is a link to further you understanding:
FMCSA Guidance on Mental Conditions and Disorders
Good luck.
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.
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.
Kristina, pervRainy’s suggestion, here is a link to further you understanding:
FMCSA Guidance on Mental Conditions and Disorders
Good luck.
What does Gtown know? pervRainy...
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.
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.
Thanks for the help G Town... I think LOL!!!!
And Bill.... he might know me better than i thought he did LOL
OMG...terribly sorry Rainy. My face is bright red right now.
That’ll teach me not to review more thoroughly!!!
BTW, the new photo is terrific.
pervRainy
LMAO!
I don't think I've ever seen anyone's fingers type a Freudian Slip!
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DOT DOT Physical DOT Physical Exemptions FMCSA
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I take medications when I go to sleep that are questionable, for example, I take gabapentin (for mild sciatica, not for seizures) Zoloft and serquel for bi-polar depression/borderline personality disorder. I was told by my recruiter to bring a statement from my personal doctor to the DOT Examination stating what I was on, why I take it, how long I've taken it and whether or not he/she thinks any of the meds I take will effect my driving ability. So I did. The ME told me, that my letter was irrelevant and that ultimately it was up to him whether or not I passed or failed and that I would have to grant access to my full medical record and my full mental health record to be considered. Is this legal?
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.