Does dot look into your past medical history?

@brian991219 is our go-to guy for those complicated questions.

 

Just holler out @brian991219 a few times and he can answer a few questions.

 

I tagged him, so he'll see your thread.

 

I'm like Beetlejuice that way I suppose LoL.

As for the OP's question, no the DOT does not have direct access to your medical history or records, however some providers do (although the regulations do not require them to look at anything other than the questions you answer on the medical exam questionnaire). The medical examiner is only supposed to act upon the information as provided by the driver and anything they discover during their physical examination.

Now, there are criteria for certain conditions related to mental instability, and depending on how you answer the examiner's questions you could be disqualified or require a release from your treating clinician or doctor. This is the same for other conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and so on. I can't advise you to not answer the questions truthfully, you have a duty and obligation to do so, but there is no independent verification of your health outside of what the medical examiner discovers during their exam. This link will take you to the FMCSA Medical Examiners Guidebook. Psychological conditions begin on page 77. This will give you the best guidance on what is, and is not, acceptable.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmc.../mrb/83401/fmcsamedicalexaminerhandbook_0.pdf

Keep in mind, you will have to answer each subsequent examination the same as the DOT does have access to your previous DOT medical exam forms and occasionally will discover discrepancies between exams. Also, if you are taking any medication it may show up in your drug screen, and if so, then your history may become discoverable. Ask your doctor if any of the medicine you may be taking will show up on a DOT drug screen.

All of this gets thrown out the window should you be involved in a crash in your truck. The attorneys can, and do, get copies of your entire medical history then dig into it to try to prove your should not have had a valid medical exam. If they can prove so you could become liable for negligent behavior in the event of a serious injury crash. Because of the legal liability I must strongly caution you to be truthful on your medical exam questionnaire.

Finally, and only you can honestly answer this, but trucking is not as easy as some think it is. It can be stressful and mentally taxing. Please, for your own safety and health, make sure you are truly prepared for the stress and challenges that come with truck driving. The industry is know to cause depression, great agitation and angry outbursts in even the most even keeled folks. Behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound truck is not the place to have a mental break.

 

If you could get a clean bill of health from your treating doctor, meaning they say you no longer have a disqualifing condition then yes, you would be good to go without any question.

My suggestion to you is to study yhe guidebook I provided the link for then consult with your treating doctor to discuss your plans and what would need to be true for you to successfully pass an DOT medical exam. Speaking with a DOT medical examiner would also helo, but I wouldn'ttry for an exam until you are confident that you will pass. You don't want the record to begin until you are sure you are qualified.

Keep in mind that not every psychological condition is an automatic disqualification nor are all a permanent DQ.

And yes, as someone that lost their adult son to mentalhealth complications, being honest with your treating doctor or clinician is important to your overall long term health. It is probably the right thing to do regardless of a career in trucking or not. I would have liked it for my son to have been honest with himself and his care team about his mental health as they may have been able to save him.