Medical issues may sometimes put a person or other people at risk, even if they can still live a whole, productive life. One of these situations is operating a commercial truck. Driving a large rig truck vs an ordinary car like a Subaru or Jetta is significantly different. For this reason, there are several medical requirements that CDL drivers must meet. The Department of Transportation (DOT) assessed the demands of the industry and identified a few medical issues that would prevent someone from holding a CDL. But what prevents you from obtaining a CDL?
A driver must be able to control a 40-ton semi-truck while changing lanes, navigating curvy highways, and dealing with unforeseen circumstances. Drivers must maintain complete control of their vehicles and constantly know their surroundings. They must also be capable of handling all kinds of deliveries, inspections, and loadings. Several DOT-disqualifying medical problems may preclude someone from obtaining a CDL due to the demanding nature of the profession. We are here to explain the medical issues that prohibit a CDL because of this. We hope the information provided below will assist in addressing the question, “What may disqualify you from a dot physical?”
Vision specifications
Vision impairment is the most evident requirement that cannot be met to get a CDL licence. A CDL driver must have 20/40 vision, which translates to “you can see only as well as the average person can see at 40 feet from an eye chart.” It is a rigid need always to be able to view the road. Due to the possibility of traffic signals and road signs needing to be more understood, even colourblindness may disqualify you.
Hearing Loss
For many years, CDL drivers were medically barred from driving if they had hearing loss. However, in 2014, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) reversed its restriction, resulting in the approval of 40 CDL applications and the beginning of a new wave of deaf CDL drivers. Although the allegation has not been verified, many believe it relates to truck drivers’ ongoing scarcity.
Epilepsy and Seizures
The Department of Transportation forbids those with epilepsy or a history of seizures from getting a commercial driver’s licence. However, they do make an effort to consider each case individually. A motorist might endanger both their own and other people’s lives if they were to lose consciousness while operating a car. If a person has epilepsy, they are medically ineligible for a CDL, and some states even forbid recreational drivers from getting behind the wheel.
Diabetes
Diabetes may also preclude obtaining a CDL licence, while this medical condition does not permanently disqualify a person. Most CDL applications from people with diabetes are looked upon as individual instances, much like the cases with epileptic drivers. If they complete the required tests and earn the necessary certificates, people with diabetes may obtain a licence. A steady insulin regimen and effectively managed, insulin-treated diabetes mellitus are among the qualifications for the driver.
DOT Disqualifying Medical Conditions
Other medical conditions preventing CDL drivers from operating a vehicle include Meniere’s disease, oxygen treatment, and several mental diseases. However, DOT disqualifying medical conditions are ultimately placed for the driver’s and other drivers’ safety on the road. Given this career’s difficulty, the requirements for obtaining a CDL are reasonable. For crippled or otherwise disadvantaged, there are fortunately many possibilities for jobs and life paths, even if truck driving is not for you.
Finally, the medical disorders that prohibit a person from the DOT may vary annually. To guarantee you are reading the most recent information on medical disqualifications for CDL drivers in 2021, we always advise doing research.