Southtowns

716-712-0670

Northtowns

716-712-0670

Common Medical Issues

Cardiac Disease: Cardiac status must be stable, with specific requirements for certain cardiac interventions / diagnosis (Heart Attack, Bypass Grafts, Stent Placement, etc)

Diabetes: The medical requirements are different for DOT physicals and 19A and physicals:

  • The DOT medical certification does not allow a driver to be an insulin dependent diabetic. The driver is allowed to take oral medications to control diabetes. The driver can be certified for 2 years. A driver who is found to have diabetes at the time of the exam will be qualified for driving for 2 years once the diabetes is stabilized with diet and/or oral medication.
  • The 19A medical certification allows a driver to be treated for diabetes with either insulin or oral medications as long as the diabetes is stabilized and there are no hypoglycemic events. In order to maintain the medical certification, a treating personal physician's note is required every 6 months, stating that the diabetes is stable.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - Drivers with a diagnosis of OSA may be certified annually. The driver must have an annual evaluation by a sleep specialist and an annual assessment of compliance (with the use of CPAP) and documentation of compliance provided to the commercial driver medical examiner for review. The CPAP machine usually has a "smart card" which records usage, and can be printed to document compliance.

Medication Usage - Certain medications may cause the Driver to be disqualified from driving a Commercial Vehicle. Use of medications for Psychiatric Disorders, Pain Management or Schedule I narcotics should be identified upon beginning the certification process so that any requirements, prior to being certified, may be obtained and evaluated by the Medical Examiner for qualification status. If you are currently under doctor's care and are taking medication- DO NOT stop taking your medications in order to pass the fitness determination.

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