Can CDL truck drivers take lithium for bipolar disorder?

Is it better for me to conveniently forget about my bipolar diagnosis? When I am not really sure about it, and can decide after the training if I really want to be a driver. The state is paying. I know it's a goofy question.

But how many drivers just lie or forget if they don't want to have to get some long note from the doctor that says they are okay to work with bipolar? Then they will get burned by pre-existing condition on physical health insurance. Before you answer. I'm not perfect, but I do have a bachelores degree and I'm not a total freak. So please give me your best advice. Thanks in advance.

 

You can conveniently forget about it, but, if you ever get in an accident and somebody's Lawyer digs up your past you will probably stand a good chance of paying for it for the rest of your life.
P.S. If you have a Bachelors Degree why can't you spell Bachelors ? Just wondering.

 

I'll preface this with a disclaimer - I'm not a trucker, but ...

From what I've read on this site, you want to be brutally honest with everything when filling out your application. This includes medical, legal, and employment history

If you conveniently forget something, and the company finds out about it, then you will be history.

Since you are taking medication, I would think you would be best served to list the bi-polar diagnosis on the application and let the company decide.

 

"I know it's a goofy question"

You think? I don't. That level of meds would most likely disqualify you from driving, and rightfully so. This is a stressful career field, and DOT compliance factors are designed to limit waivers and exceptions.

 

If you look at a standard qwerty keyboard you will notice the e and s key are fairly close together. As someone with big fingers I can attest to hitting 2 keys at the same time and not realizing it. just giving the benefit of the doubt.

 

Benefit of the doubt, sure... but there's spellcheck, an if he doesn't remember how to spell the word since he allegedly left college, it's easy enough to look up.

It isn't always what people say or do, it's what they don't say or do that shows their true colors.

 

you are gonna wanna read something like this, and focus on this highlighted portions

§ 391.41Physical qualifications for drivers.

(9) Has no mental, nervous, organic, or functional disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with his/her ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle safely;

 

That's exacty where I was coming from - thanks, Meltom, for posting that.

 

I aim to please?

 

Evidently, sir.