DOT Physical - Official Form Regarding Current Prescriptions?

Topic 17648 | Page 2

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Rick S.'s Comment
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And to actually take the above ONE STEP FURTHER...

Even with a note from the treating/prescribing physician - the decision whether or not to pass and issue a DOT Medical Certificate is AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER PERFORMING THE EXAMINATION. You could have a doctors note from the SURGEON GENERAL, and still have an M.E. at a company's clinic-of-choice decline to pass you.

Now - (and this is an ASSUMPTION, not a fact that you can document, or file a lawsuit with) since Prime (and other companies) MANDATE the use of the Medical Examiner of their choosing - it's pretty safe to assume that their safety/insurance departments have passed along THEIR CRITERIA for substances/meds and medical issues that will result in a failure - or a "go home for 30 days and get off this resolved", and come back.

Here's the rub though - "technically" - passes AND FAILS are uploaded to the FMCSA/DOT computers. One reason is to prevent "Doctor Shopping" - that is - failing an exam, and finding a "more friendly doc" that will pass you. The intent is obviously public safety, to keep drivers that have medical issues that would preclude them from safely operating a CMV.

I'm going to go on the assumption that getting sent home to get off a particular med, doesn't get recorded as a FAIL.

"Temporary Fails" are typically issued "3 Month Certificate" in order to remedy the disqualification and not lose their driving status (such as High BP that needs to be resolved). I believe companies also issue one of these for folks that go to get sleep studies and get into compliance with CPAPS (assuming they are diagnosed, which, sadly it seems, in most cases they are) - at which point a 1 year card is issued.

In the case of "initial med cards" (like you would get before you even get your CDL Permit - say, when you arrive at orientation to get trained) - most of the time you just get SENT HOME without a Med Card.

Rick

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

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.

CMV:

Commercial Motor Vehicle

A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:

  • Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
  • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
  • Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards

CPAP:

Constant Positive Airway Pressure

CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.

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.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

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