Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is a different skill set than driving a personal vehicle. For this reason, getting a CDL in Indiana involves a somewhat different procedure.
There will be others to help you get through this tough time. Each and every one of the prerequisites, as well as any additional information, will be detailed below. In every manner, we’ll be there to support you. Using this manual, you won’t be at a loss for what to do next. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires a number of prerequisites to be met by truck drivers who wish to transport heavy commodities across state boundaries (DOT). Many truck drivers can’t legally travel long hauls without first obtaining a commercial driver’s licence.
A CDL applicant must pass many screenings before they are granted the licence. These include a medical exam, a drug test, a check of your driving record, and a criminal record investigation. Medical issues are another common reason why people are denied a licence. Learn about the medical issues that might prevent a truck driver from obtaining a commercial driver’s licence, as well as the procedures you can take to remedy them.
Pre-employment Medical Exam
You need to know about the DOT-mandated physical tests before we get into the various medical issues that prevent a CDL holder from holding one. Many people don’t know how physically taxing driving a truck can be, thus truck drivers, like workers in many other fields, must pass a medical check before they can start work. A medical professional will check you out to make sure you’re healthy enough to drive and see if you have any issues that might prevent you from earning a commercial driver’s licence.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart conditions are the most common cause of disqualification from truck driving. Pain everywhere in the body, not just the chest, might be a warning sign of a serious cardiac problem. To avoid further damage to your health, you should get the therapy you need before getting back behind the wheel as a truck driver who has heart disease.
Epilepsy
Long-haul truck drivers may be prohibited if they have epilepsy or a comparable disease. This is mostly owing to MSCA restrictions and the fact that truck drivers who are susceptible to seizures pose a significant threat to themselves and other motorists. The good news is that you may be able to file an FMSCA application and go back on the road if you have successfully managed your epilepsy or a related disease.
Vertigo
It’s possible that someone with vertigo wouldn’t be eligible for a CDL. A person’s ability to drive may be severely impaired by vertigo or inner ear problems due to the difficulty maintaining balance caused by these diseases. Unpredictability caused by medical issues, such as Meniere’s illness, can also have a severe impact on a driver’s abilities.
Disabled Hearing or Sight
Paying close attention to visual and aural signals is crucial when driving. For this reason, a person with a visual or auditory impairment may be denied a CDL. In order to maintain safety on the road throughout a long haul, truck drivers need to be able to swiftly take in and interpret visual and aural inputs.
Diabetes
Having diabetes might be a barrier to earning a commercial driver’s licence in several states. You can still acquire a licence even if you have diabetes. Make it a top priority to keep the disease under control with medicine and nutrition so that you can carry out the many duties of a truck driver.
High Blood Pressure
Disqualification for a CDL may also occur as a result of hypertension, in addition to diabetes. A driver may be ineligible for a CDL if, for instance, their blood pressure reaches Stage 3 and they are at risk of having a stroke. Persons with hypertension who are able to control their condition via medical therapy have the same chance of eventually meeting the licencing requirements as those without hypertension.
The respiratory system
If a truck driver has a breathing disorder, including emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or sleep apnea, they will not be able to obtain a commercial driver’s licence. The Department of Transportation may have concerns about CDL applicants who have medical conditions that make it difficult for them to drive a semi-truck for extended periods of time.
Addiction and substance abuse
Last but not least, those who use drugs often (even legal or prescription medications) may be denied a CDL. A truck driver must never operate a commercial vehicle while under the influence of narcotics, under DOT regulations. To guarantee a secure trip over the long journey, several companies drug screen their drivers. You can conduct a drug test on a prospective truck driver at any point in the hiring process, during employment, if you have reasonable suspicion that they are using drugs, or at random. It is common practice to conduct drug tests on truck drivers. Cannabinoids, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Cocaine, Meth, Meth, Opioids, PC
Exemptions
There is a long list of things that will prevent you from acquiring a CDL, but you may be eligible for an exception if your circumstance meets specific criteria. If you have a medical condition that would normally prevent you from getting a CDL, a medical examiner may nonetheless issue you one. You need to apply to the FMCSA for a formal exemption in order to begin or continue truck driving in case you have a medical condition that is exempt by a medical practitioner.
Aftermath
Getting turned down for a CDL because you failed a medical test is not the end of the world. A suspension won’t keep you off the road permanently, but it may do so in the short term. You may be able to retake the test at a later date, depending on what health issue first disqualified you. A CDL might be yours if you put in the time and effort to meet the standards. It’s easy for truck drivers to lose sight of how important it is for them to take their prescriptions, get the therapy they need, maintain an active lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, and sleep enough. Given the nature of their employment and the long hours they spend on the road, truck drivers carry a heavy burden. Prioritizing your health is always the best course of action. As a truck driver, you should be knowledgeable about the many health issues that might keep you from working. If you’re looking to break into the trucking industry or advance your current position, this list should serve as a helpful resource.