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For commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, the most important safety feature is YOU – the driver! Each time you turn the key, you are responsible for your own safety, as well as the safety of all the people who share the road with you. The physical examination you take for your medical certificate confirms that you are healthy enough to safely perform the demanding job of a CMV driver and keep our Nation’s roads safe.
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What You Need to Know:
• 49 CFR 382.603 is the applicable regulation requiring supervisors of commercial motor vehicle drivers who operate vehicles that require a commercial driver license to take 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of alcohol abuse and another 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of controlled substances use (120 minutes in total). The purpose of this training is to teach supervisors to identify circumstances and indicators that may create reasonable suspicion that a driver is using or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, supporting referral of an employee for testing.
• If you operate vehicles that require a CDL on the public roads and you have more than one employee in the company, you are required to get DOT Supervisor Training. To verify if you are subject to the drug and alcohol regulations, please visit http://www.dot.gov/odapc/am-i-covered
• Owner-operators are not subject to DOT supervisor training. However, you are still required to register with a consortium for DOT drug and alcohol testing.
• Employers need to ensure that the required content is made available to all persons designated to supervise drivers. Information can be found at /regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/what-are-my-employee-and-supervisor-training-responsibilities
• Below are a few suggestions on how you can get all of your employees designated to supervise CDL drivers trained.
The Federal Transit Administration provides a reasonable suspicion training video at http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/DrugAndAlcohol/Tools/ReasonableSuspicion.aspx
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Random drug and alcohol program for owner-operators and multi-driver companies.
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Do you have a CDL and operate an interstate or/and intrastate business on public roads?
• If yes, are you in a DOT Drug and Alcohol Program?
• If no then this chart does not pertain to you.
Are you in a DOT Drug and Alcohol Program?
• If yes, are you an owner-operator?
• If no, owner-operators and motor carriers that have only one CDL driver must join a consortium. If the motor carrier has more than one driver they may join a consortium, but they must get their drivers in a DOT Drug and Alcohol Program. To learn more click here: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/what-are-consortiumthird-party-administrators
Are you an owner-operator?
• If yes, if you are an owner-operator and you have already enrolled in a DOT Drug and Alcohol Program then you do not need the DOT Supervisor Training.
• If no, are you a supervisor?
Are you a supervisor?
• If yes, have you ever taken the DOT Supervisor Training at your current job?
• If no, if you are not a supervisor, then you do not need the DOT Supervisor Training.
Have you ever taken the DOT Supervisor Training at your current job?
• If yes, you are not required to take the DOT Supervisor Training. However, if the trained supervisor leaves the company then the new supervisor must get the required DOT Supervisor Training.
• If no, you must take the DOT Supervisor Training. Go here for more information: https://transit-safety.fta.dot.gov/DrugAndAlcohol/Tools/ReasonableSuspicion.aspx
The following are conditions that could prevent you from being qualified, please bring the correct documentation for the criteria that pertains to you on your doctor's letterhead.
Sleep Apnea: Compliance report from your CPAP machine (most recent 30-day report) must show at least 70% compliance for 4 hours or more.Heart Disease, Heart Attack, Heart Surgery or Coronary Artery Stent: ECG Echocardiogram results within the last 2 years with EF of 40% or greater. ETT Stress Test- standard bruce protocol within the past 2 years reaching stage 2 & 6 METs (must be a treadmill stress test). EKG within the last 12 months. Cardiac clearance letter from treating cardiologist, letter must state diagnosis and medications will not affect ability to operate a CMV. Waiting period may apply, determined by examiner.
Respiratory Illness such as COPD: Recent Pulmonary Function Test results. (FEVI) must be less than 65%.
Stroke/TIA, Seizure, Head Injury or Syncope (passing out spells): Neurology letter stating when the most recent incident took place as well as an evaluation of physical and mental function. Letter must state diagnosis will not affect ability to operate a CMV. Waiting period may apply, determined by examiner.
Sedating/mood altering medications: This would include pain medications, psychiatric medications (depression, anxiety etc.) or ADD/ADHD/Weight loss medications (Vyvanse, Adderall, Phentermine etc.)
Note from the prescribing doctor must state medication name(s), diagnosis (including severity), no episodes related to your diagnosis in the last calendar year and must state that the medication and diagnosis will not affect your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
Medications that have a primary use of anti-seizure such as Gabapentin are sometimes used to treat other things like migraines, neuropathy, or psychiatric disorders. Because the primary use for these medications are anti-seizure a letter from your prescribing doctor is required. The letter must state the medication name, the diagnosis and it must state that the medication and diagnosis will not affect your ability to drive a CMV. The letter must also clarify that you are not being treated for seizures and that you have never been diagnosed with seizures.
Vision/Hearing: If you are prescribed corrective lenses/hearing aids, you must wear them during the exam.
Diabetic: Provide a recent (within 3 months) AIC (must be 10% or lower) it is also imperative that you take your medication(s) prior to the exam so that they are active during your urine analysis. If you take a medication that excretes glucose through urine, you will need a letter from your doctor stating this information in addition to your recent AIC.
Hypertension: It is imperative that you take your medication(s) prior to the exam.
Chronic Kidney Disease: GFR only for stage 1-3; GFR & EKG for stage 4; Stage 5 is not eligible.
Blood Thinner: Such as Warfarin requires recent (within past 30 days) INR results (must be 2.0-3.0)
Pacemaker: Documentation of your most recent pacemaker check (within the past 12 months). Letter from treating doctor stating that the pacemaker is not paired with a defibrillator.
Vision Form: This only pertains if you currently suffer from uncorrectable vision impairment. The 5871 Form must be completed from your optometrist or ophthalmologist physician prior to your DOT exam.
Insulin Form: This only pertains if you are currently on insulin. The 5870 Form must be completed from your primary care physician prior to your DOT exam. Attached is the link to the form. *Failure to submit the form will cause you to get medically disqualified*
Reminder: Bring your driver's license and list of medications so we can get an accurate medication history. Also, try not to drink caffeinated sugared beverages for this could cause an elevation of blood pressure or glucose in the urine.
*provided no complicated case