Wow.... it's great to see that we do have some educated truckers out here. I am thankful for this forum and for the way we can help each other out since the government isn't doing much for us. Way to go bro!

Originally Posted by jrd929

Gizmo_Man, I got your point already, Geez, if your gonna be a jerk about it, your not wanted here. I already made the decision to put it off a decade or so. I'm in no rush. It looked like a possibility, but right now, it's not worth the trouble. I haven't even called a single trucking company yet, and your acting like I already have my license and I'm gonna leave tomorrow. If you really think I won't EVER have the chance, I'll bet you many of the truckers and even some pilots even had problems when they were growing up but have out grown them and not had any issues for decades. Hell, for all I know, I may never get into trucking. So if all your gonna do is repeat what you've been saying, go take your soapbox elsewhere.

i CAN BE anywhere i wannabe. and NO NAME CALLING, it's against the rules. remove that or i will report you.

Originally Posted by GasHauler

Not true. Here's what the regulations say. "Drivers with a history of epilepsy/seizures OFF antiseizure medication AND seizure free for 10 years may be qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce". If you've only had 1 seizure then it's only 5 years and then you can drive.

That's all written in the FMCSR § 391.43 Physical Qualifications for Drivers. It's the part where the doctor must follow. So what you should do if you want to drive is wait the time specified and take that regulation to the doctor that is going to sign your medical card and talk with him or her. I didn't think it would be that clear but it is.

I love that green book!

Sent...

Originally Posted by GasHauler

Not true. Here's what the regulations say. "Drivers with a history of epilepsy/seizures OFF antiseizure medication AND seizure free for 10 years may be qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce". If you've only had 1 seizure then it's only 5 years and then you can drive.

That's all written in the FMCSR § 391.43 Physical Qualifications for Drivers. It's the part where the doctor must follow. So what you should do if you want to drive is wait the time specified and take that regulation to the doctor that is going to sign your medical card and talk with him or her. I didn't think it would be that clear but it is.

it is 5 years OR MORE.....

391.41(b)(
A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person:
Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy;
or
Any other condition which is likely to cause the loss of consciousness, or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle.
Epilepsy is a chronic functional disease characterized by seizures or episodes that occur without warning, resulting in loss of voluntary control which may lead to loss of consciousness and/or seizures. Therefore, the following drivers cannot be qualified:
(1) a driver who has a medical history of epilepsy;
(2) a driver who has a current clinical diagnosis of epilepsy; or
(3) a driver who is taking antiseizure medication.
If an individual has had a sudden episode of a nonepileptic seizure or loss of consciousness of unknown cause which did not require antiseizure medication, the decision as to whether that person's condition will likely cause the loss of consciousness or loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle is made on an individual basis by the medical examiner in consultation with the treating physician. Before certification is considered, it is suggested that a 6-month waiting period elapse from the time of the episode. Following the waiting period, it is suggested that the individual have a complete neurological examination. If the results of the examination are negative and antiseizure medication is not required, then the driver may be qualified.
In those individual cases where a driver had a seizure or an episode of loss of consciousness that resulted from a known medical condition (e.g., drug reaction, high temperature, acute infectious disease, dehydration, or acute metabolic disturbance), certification should be deferred until the driver has fully recovered from that condition, has no existing residual complications, and is not taking antiseizure medication.
Drivers with a history of epilepsy/seizures off antiseizure medication and seizure-free for 10 years may be qualified to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. Interstate drivers with a history of a single unprovoked seizure may be qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce if seizure-free and off antiseizure medication for a 5-year period or more.



he can STILL BE DENIED. if only 5 years.

Originally Posted by Gizmo_Man

i CAN BE anywhere i wannabe. and NO NAME CALLING, it's against the rules. remove that or i will report you.

Seems to me that you can dish it out but cant take it gizmo, get over yourself and let the guy ask his questions without your self righteous attacks on him!

Originally Posted by bullhaulerswife

OK, enough of the bickering.

Yep, they set off the bickering alarm. Let's chill out in here. The man asked a question. Any advice is appreciated and any opinion good or bad can be given without inciting an argument which provokes the name calling. Neither which is allowed.



JRD, one thing you have to ask yourself and only you can answer it. This is a safety sensitive job. Can you deal with the possibility of a seizure and a head on collision?

My brother-in-law has about 1-2 unknownseizures a year. In the past 10 years he has totaled 2 vehicles. One put him in the hospital.


Read these FMCSA Medical Panel pages on seizures. Read pages 8-12.


http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...ns-v2-prot.pdf


One of the reasons I came off the road is I'm a high risk for a heart attack. Five months later I collapsed and was in the hospital. There ain't no way I'm gonna put the public at risk from a health problem. There's a pride issue you have to let go of. As much as I want to drive I know it's a bad decision. The world is full of other options.