Brain Tumor - May Not Get My Medical Card And CDL

Hello Bobby, you can check out this website to get more info. FMCSA Rules & Regulations. I searched this site thoroughly to see if my medical condition would disqualify me. I didn't see anything about brain tumors disqualifying anyone unless it would cause epilepsy episodes. I'm not sure of your whole health background but I saw that you could get exemptions by filing a waiver on certain issues but you have to certify every 3 months instead of every 2 years. I hours this helps.

Thank you very much Shep. I have a feeling it might be Swift's rules and regulations, but I'm sure I can get a waiver as I haven't had, nor shown any signs of any epileptic episodes. I also think the problem is where the tumor was located, which was at the base of my brain stem, and that 20% still remains and has the potential to cause numbness, spasms, etc. All MRI's are showing positive results though, so I plan on checking into it this week (hoping the doctor at Swift has reviewed my records) and will update this post when I find out. Thanks again Shep. And thanks to everyone.

Best case the company would want a doctor to give you a release stating that your medical condition will not effect your driving at all and there is no chance that you will have a seizer or anything close to it. Basically if the doctor gives this release it would relieve the company of being responsible for something that may or may not happen.

And Bobbie...keep in mind that Swift isn't the only game in town....theres LOTS of trucking companies out there. You don't have to go begging, but now you know what you will need upfront. If a specialist did the surgery on you, then thats the Doctor that you want the letter from. A specialist always trumps a GP, when it comes to medical issues. So get a letter of clearance from the "big Guy". That will help a whole lot. AND the fact that you have never had any seizures is also a plus. Numbness is something that has a "onset", so you would feel it coming on, anyway. Good Luck...and keep on keepin' on...theres a place for you out there, behind the wheel...

And Bobbie...keep in mind that Swift isn't the only game in town....theres LOTS of trucking companies out there. You don't have to go begging, but now you know what you will need upfront. If a specialist did the surgery on you, then thats the Doctor that you want the letter from. A specialist always trumps a GP, when it comes to medical issues. So get a letter of clearance from the "big Guy". That will help a whole lot. AND the fact that you have never had any seizures is also a plus. Numbness is something that has a "onset", so you would feel it coming on, anyway. Good Luck...and keep on keepin' on...theres a place for you out there, behind the wheel...

Hello Starcar. Thank you for the comments and very well put I might add. Yeah, I'm not going to wait around for Swift. I'm going to get my medical card (or try anyway) from my local doctor and have a letter from my neurosurgeon available. Crossing my fingers! ;) Thanks.

I'm going to get my medical card (or try anyway) from my local doctor and have a letter from my neurosurgeon available.

Definitely get that letter from the neurosurgeon. You can try passing a physical if you like, but you're going to have to take another one when you go for training or get hired by a company. It's Federal law that every time you start with a new company you need a new physical no matter how recent your last one was.

This may be a long shot as I see this question was posted over 2 years ago. I'm curious to find out the outcome of the issue.

Me too

Me three