Medication and DOT

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by krispb, Oct 22, 2008.

  1. krispb

    krispb Light Load Member

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    Hi, question, If you get pulled over by the DOT and you take prescription medication, do the DOT go through your pills to verify what you are taking?
     
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  3. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I had 2 Level 1's this year and they never asked about them.
     
  4. Cybergal

    Cybergal Road Train Member

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    They would look at the bottle to see whos names on it. Basically random checks on drivers.

    They actually did check my meds once.
     
  5. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    You have to be real careful about this. It all depends on what the doctor says when you get your medical card. You've got to be sure he knows exactly what you're taking and how it might affect your driving. The problem is not the DOT inspections, the problem would be if there's an accident. They'll run a drug test if the accident calls for it and then the lawyers will do their best to put the blame on you. If the doctor that gave you your medical card claims he wasn't aware of what you were taking then you could actually go to jail. You could be charged with vehicular homicide or many other charges. You know when it comes to law suits they are sharks and they will pull no punches to get their money.
     
  6. munrkr

    munrkr Medium Load Member

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    jump'n the line here, but there are key words that must appear on your long form DOT physical. Some thing like. " not likely to effect your ability to operate a motor vehicle" i seem to remember. More importantly is the fact that the doctor signs your DOT card! once that's done, it pretty much removes the responsibility from the driver. No...?
     
  7. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    At a company I worked at, a driver had to go and get a physical. He had many, many problems. He also was on a large amount of medications and should be getting a one year physical.

    He came back with a 2 year physical. I asked how he did that and he said, Just never told them the medicine he takes.

    Now, in the case above, should the driver be removed from liability?
     
  8. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Doc only signs off on what he's aware of - if you read the fine print on the long form, it tells what the Doc is signing off on - and drugs are not part of it. He's signing off on whether or not you meet the medical qualifications. Physical ability, and easy-to-see issues (hypertension, for instance).

    Whether you take meds for anything else, or even what meds you might take for issues he IS checking, he doesn't care about.
     
  9. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    But remember during the process, the doctor asks what medications you are taking. That is for the physical records. If you do not tell the doctor about the medications, is this not a false physical and therefore no longer valid?
     
  10. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    I don't know.. I'd say only insofar as the drugs you are taking might affect your ability to drive. He doesn't care a whit if I take lipitor or .. whatever. He DOES care if I'm taking Oxycodone or other meds that can affect my ability to drive.

    Of course, this is all over simplified. Even though I'm familiar with my meds and their effects, and I know which might and might not affect my ability to drive safely, I still made sure my DOT Doc knew about all of them.

    take a look at CFR 391.41(b)(12)
     
  11. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    I would think so. But no matter if the card is valid or not if you're involved in a major accident you'll be hung out to dry. Your company will abandon you along with their insurance. You may even not be at fault but will be if you're taking a medication like Lortab or any other med that says may cause drowsiness. You may even be charged for a crime then you could look forward to the civil court.
     
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