In short, failing to meet specific health standards regarding vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, or neurological function can disqualify – or cause you to fail – a DOT physical.
- Vision and hearing loss. Drivers must demonstrate adequate visual acuity and hearing ability to perceive warnings and signals on the road.
- Uncontrolled chronic conditions. Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes must be managed within strict parameters to maintain eligibility.
- Substance abuse issues. A current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism or use of Schedule I drugs will result in immediate disqualification.
Passing a DOT physical is the primary requirement for any commercial driver who wishes to operate a commercial motor vehicle. This examination ensures that you are healthy enough to handle the physical and mental demands of the job.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict regulations to protect both the driver and the public. While most drivers pass their exams, certain medical issues can prevent you from obtaining a medical card.
Understanding these disqualifying factors is essential for your career longevity. It allows you to address potential health concerns before they become barriers to your employment.
This guide explores the specific medical conditions that may disqualify you from a DOT physical.
Can Vision or Hearing Issues Cause You to Fail a DOT Physical?
Your ability to see and hear clearly is vital for safe driving. The medical examiner will test your vision and hearing early in the examination process.
Vision Requirements
You must have at least 20/40 vision in each eye. This can be with or without corrective lenses, such as glasses or contacts.
You must also have a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye. Additionally, you must be able to recognize the standard colors of traffic signals: red, green, and yellow.
If you have monocular vision, you can now qualify under the Alternative Vision Standard. This requires a Vision Evaluation Report (Form MCSA-5871) from your eye doctor, rather than a federal exemption application. However, complete blindness or significant vision loss that cannot be corrected will disqualify you.
Hearing Requirements
The medical examiner will perform a forced whisper test. You must be able to hear a forced whisper at a distance of not less than five feet in your better ear.
Alternatively, you may undergo an audiometric test. If you choose this route, you must not have an average hearing loss greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
Using a hearing aid is permitted to meet these standards. If you cannot meet these requirements even with a hearing aid, you will not pass the DOT physical.
How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Your Results?
Cardiovascular health is a major focus during the exam. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the most common reasons drivers face restrictions.
A medical examiner wants to see a blood pressure reading below 140/90. If your blood pressure is lower than this, you may qualify for a two-year medical card. If your blood pressure is between 140/90 and 159/99, you may receive a one-year certificate. This shorter duration ensures that you are monitoring your condition closely.
Readings above 160/100 or 180/110 will result in shorter certifications or immediate disqualification until the pressure is lowered. If you have a history of heart failure or other severe cardiac issues, you may also be disqualified.
Will Diabetes Disqualify You From Getting a Medical Card?
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it does not automatically disqualify you. The key factor is how well you manage the disease.
If you have diet-controlled diabetes or take oral medication, you can generally pass the exam. The examiner will look for sugar in your urine and may ask for your A1C levels.
Historically, insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) was an automatic disqualifier. However, regulations have changed to allow these drivers to operate commercial vehicles under specific conditions.
You must now follow a specific assessment protocol involving your treating clinician. This clinician, who manages your diabetes, must attest that you maintain a stable insulin regimen and proper glucose control.
Severe hypoglycemia or “insulin shock” in the recent past can still lead to disqualification. You must demonstrate that your condition does not compromise safety.
What Neurological Conditions Are Red Flags?
Neurological health is critical because it affects your coordination and consciousness. Conditions that cause seizures are taken very seriously by the FMCSA.
Epilepsy and Seizures
A medical history of epilepsy or a current clinical diagnosis of epilepsy is generally disqualifying. The risk of having a seizure behind the wheel is considered too high.
If you have had a single unprovoked seizure, there is a waiting period before you can be certified. You must be seizure-free and off anticonvulsant medication for a specific number of years.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Because of the unpredictability of sleep attacks, this condition is an automatic disqualification.
It is impossible to drive safely if you cannot guarantee you will stay awake. No waivers exist for this specific neurological disorder.
Do Respiratory Issues Like Sleep Apnea Matter?
Respiratory conditions can impact your ability to stay alert and breathe properly. Sleep apnea is the most discussed respiratory issue in the trucking industry.
Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, leading to severe daytime fatigue. If a medical examiner suspects you have sleep apnea, they may refer you for a sleep study. Common indicators include a high body mass index (BMI), loud snoring, and a large neck circumference.
You will not necessarily be disqualified for having sleep apnea. However, you must prove that you are treating it effectively, usually through the use of a CPAP machine.
Other respiratory conditions, like severe asthma or COPD, may also be scrutinized. If your condition requires frequent hospitalization or causes severe shortness of breath, you may fail the DOT physical.
What About Medications and Substance Use?
The substances you put into your body are heavily regulated. This includes both illicit drugs and legal prescriptions.
Illicit Drugs and Alcohol
Use of any Schedule I drug is strictly prohibited. This includes marijuana, even if it is legal for recreational or medicinal use in your home state.
You also cannot have a medical card if you have a current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.
Prescription Medications
Some prescription drugs disqualify you from driving. This includes methadone, which is used to treat narcotic addiction.
Medications that cause drowsiness or impair reaction times are also problematic. This includes certain anti-anxiety medications, narcotics, and amphetamines.
You may drive while taking some of these medications if your prescribing doctor provides a safety letter. The medical examiner has the final say on whether the medication is safe for driving.
Can Physical Impairments Stop You From Driving?
The job of a commercial driver requires physical strength and dexterity. You must be able to secure cargo, inspect the vehicle, and operate controls.
Loss of a limb, such as a foot, leg, hand, or arm, can be a disqualifying factor. However, this is another area where exemptions are possible.
You may apply for a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate. This certificate proves that you can perform all necessary driving duties despite your impairment.
Severe arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues that limit your range of motion can also lead to failure. The examiner will test your spine, limbs, and joints to ensure you have adequate mobility.
What Mental Health Conditions Disqualify You?
Mental health is just as important as physical health for commercial drivers. The examiner will assess your psychological state during the DOT physical.
Severe depression, psychosis, or bipolar disorder can be disqualifying. This is especially true if the condition is not well-controlled or if symptoms interfere with judgment.
The medications used to treat these conditions are also scrutinized. Some psychiatric drugs have side effects that are incompatible with safe driving.
If you have a history of suicide attempts or psychiatric hospitalization, you will need a thorough evaluation. A mental health professional must clear you before you can obtain a DOT physical certification.
Are There Waivers for Disqualifying Conditions?
Failing the medical portion of the exam does not always mean the end of your career. The FMCSA offers exemption programs for certain conditions.
Common exemptions include those for vision, hearing, and seizure disorders. There is also the SPE certificate for drivers with missing or impaired limbs.
Applying for a waiver can be a lengthy process. You must provide medical records and undergo additional testing to prove you can drive safely.
It is important to note that waivers are not guaranteed. You must meet specific criteria and maintain a clean driving record to qualify.
DOT Physical in Grand Junction, CO
Your career depends on your health and your ability to pass certification requirements. Do not let a preventable medical condition keep you off the road.
At WorkPartners Occupational Health, we specialize in occupational health services. Our team understands the specific requirements of the FMCSA and can guide you through the examination process.
We provide efficient and thorough exams to help you obtain your medical card. We also offer guidance on how to manage chronic conditions to ensure you remain eligible.
If you have questions about what might disqualify you, our medical professionals can provide answers. We are committed to keeping safe and healthy drivers on the road.
Schedule your appointment with WorkPartners Occupational Health today by calling our Grand Junction office at (970) 241-5585 or request one online.
