Back story: I got my CDL at a local college earlier this month. We had our DOT physicals on day one and I answered "no" to most everything. I realize I was naive for thinking this way but treated it like a dental office visit where they ask all these medical history questions just to clean your teeth. Reality is that I have a few medical issues, none that are disqualifying, but I am having regrets about doing so now that I'm seeking employment and have read that if an accident were to occur my whole medical history will be probed. And, I don't want to lie if/when an employers conducts a physical either. Rather than live a life of lies, I feel compelled to come clean about my medical history so I can live and drive with a clean conscience.
My question is, can I go get a DOT physical on my own dime and have it replace the current one, or will this get me flagged for lying on the first physical?
Wanting to come clean
Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by goldcoconut, Jun 22, 2021.
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If you get a new DOT card, it supersedes the previous one, and is the currently used for status by your state. You would also need to make it available to your employer. I don't think there would be any repercussions from the state, but your employer might not be happy about it and cause you grief. Why not just report accurately when the current card expires and you need to take it again?
NavigatorWife Thanks this. -
Thanks for the reply.
I’m not yet employed by anyone, but started researching my bad decision once I finished school, and want to fix this before even showing up for a job. I know they may send me for their own physical, but I’d like to square away my mistake before I even hit the road or apply for work. -
if they are non-disqualifying ,why bother. it's none of their business.
Aamcotrans, bryan21384 and austinmike Thank this. -
Sometimes it's just better to let sleeping dogs lay....
JoeTruck, Aamcotrans, Solo Soul and 7 others Thank this. -
Next point, I don't know what these conditions are and don't want to know. If a DOT Medical Examiner has found you fit to drive then that's how it goes. YES, it is true some carriers are tighter than others on some conditions. However, they will ask you about this during the hiring process. You are also right about accidents. Last year I was privy to such a lawsuit over a driver passing out and doing damage to property. This driver was a type 2 diabetic with out-of-control diabetes. I later learned about 45 CFR 164.512(e)(1)(i) when an Attorney here in Hampton Virginia got such a court order!
(e) Standard: Disclosures for judicial and administrative proceedings -
(1) Permitted disclosures. A covered entity may disclose protected health information in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding:
(i) In response to an order of a court or administrative tribunal, provided that the covered entity discloses only the protected health information expressly authorized by such order;
Regardless of your physical. If you have private medical records and an Attorney shows cause to get a discovery order your privacy rights under HIPPA won't cover a court order. This is why I HIGHLY suggest you just leave that 1st physical alone and go find a job! Good chance any new employer will want you to take another physical anyway!
NavigatorWife Thanks this. -
Many companies won't hire a driver with health issues, even if the issues aren't disqualifying.
Companies can make the DOT physical as stringent as they want to and it's legal.Solo Soul Thanks this. -
This means I will not be 100% honest in my DOT physical
Aamcotrans Thanks this. -
Let it ride. In no time you’ll be due another. Some of the questions rediculous anyway. Ever have headaches? Unless it’s something serious, like Seizures, or black outs, Diabetes, something that’s a obvious threat to safety, Making you Liable, I wouldn’t worry. Best thing to do is only list necessary items. Keep a copy of the long form. Keep your story straight for next time. Lol.
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Don’t do it.
No news is good news.
Health problems ? What health problems ?
I’ve been in trucking a long time and the less said the less stated the better.Solo Soul Thanks this.
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