Is Adderall ok for DOT Physical

If I may step in here...a bit late...straight from DOT May 2011: The FMCSA does not have a listing of prohibited drugs that includes this substance. DOT generally has the prescribing official determine whether a prescription is suitable for CMV drivers.

How do I know:
I have ADHD
I am prescribed Vyvanse
I just passed DOT in December
Yes the doctor that did physical knew about it
No I do not pass a random drug test
Yes my employer knows about this prescription via doctor's notes
I still have my CDL
So the answer would be
YES as long as this medication does NOT adversely affect YOUR ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle

 

My wife (has been a nurse for 25 years )is now a company nurse for a company that has their own transportation dept- she just hand me the 1999 JJ Keller DOT Compliance Manual Drugs and Alcohol Notebook with updates added as the laws change- in a nutshell any driver that takes a controlled "narcotics" substance ( by prescription only ) can NOT drive a CMV - if your company knows this and they let you drive they are in violation- if you have a accident and test positive even if they know you are taking this - they will deny you telling them and hang you out to dry- its a tricky game you are playing- i had Tylenol PM or Advil PM in my truck until one nite i could not sleep and told her i took 2-she told me that i could NOT have them in my truck- good luck playing with DOT- its their game and their rules-subject to the officers interpretation in every state

 

Hey just telling it how I see it....I questioned it myself...and directly emailed FMCSA/DOT myself back in May...see it below to Jim Keenan...you CAN'T get a better answer than that.....


Ms. X,
The FMCSA does not have a listing of prohibited drugs that includes this
substance. We generally have the prescribing official determine whether
a prescription is suitable for CMV drivers.
You need to determine what has prompted your employer to change his
mind.
Jim Keenan
FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Program Manager
Office of Enforcement & Compliance
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-2096
-----Original Message-----
From: X
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 5:46 PM
To: Keenan, Jim (FMCSA)
Subject: Questions regarding DOT DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING REGULATIONS
Good day,
I am a CDL holder in the state of XX. I have been diagnosed by a licensed physician with adult ADHD for a few years now and have been taking vyvanse, which is a federally controlled substance.
I have been taking this for years with no ill side effects, it has helped me a great deal. I discussed what I do for a living with my doctor before he prescribed this medication as well as speaking to DOT officers and was told it is okay for me to take this. My employer is just now telling me different.
Can you please clarify this for me? Am I LEGALLY allowed to drive a CDL vehicle while taking this medication that is prescribed to me by licensed physician? If so, having something in witting to take to my employer or even a web site would be helpful.
Thank you for your time
X

For carriers and commercial driver's license holders (CDL) 49 CFR Part 382
e-CFR Data is current as of January 26, 2012
§ 382.213 Controlled substances use.
(a) No driver shall report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety-sensitive functions when the driver uses any controlled substance, except when the use is pursuant to the instructions of a licensed medical practitioner, as defined in §382.107, who has advised the driver that the substance will not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
(b) No employer having actual knowledge that a driver has used a controlled substance shall permit the driver to perform or continue to perform a safety-sensitive function.
(c) An employer may require a driver to inform the employer of any therapeutic drug use.

With that being said....again I have to say....yes as long as said drug is prescribed by a licensed physician, and said medication does not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle, that is unless they have changed this within the last few days.....

 

As with anything else they can deny you a job because you wore a blue shirt. Are they going to tell you they will not hire you because you take adderall, of course not, they found a more qualified person. I take it, applications have been sent, only time will tell. I have been told by one company so far that although they are hiring. They get so many applicants because they are so good to work for that they can be picky and only hire those with spotless everything and solid work history. Too bad it was so widely abused in the industry as it has adversely affected those of us who need it just as much as others need non schedule 2 drugs.

Good Day

 

I have taken adderall in the past and even popped on a drug test. No problems I got a call from the Medical review officer from my company and gave them a script # and they called the pharmacy to verify and I was cleared. The company I worked for was Roadway express.

 

Hi all. Can anyone tell me what companies (if any) that will hire OTR trainee if the person is prescribed Aderall. I've seen Schneider and Roadway Express mentioned in this thread. Can anyone confirm if those are still the case and if there are any others. Thanks in advance to all.

 

is the FMCSA the only the only ones that set the rules for a DOT drug test or can the states (like Florida) make more strict rules for that? I am asking because I start school Monday and was told by the admissions rep at Roadmaster that I may have problems because I take aderall.

 

Ok, lemme see if I have this right. As far as the the FMCSA is concerned, Adderall use in and of itself does not disqualify CDL applicants if the conditions descibed in Part 391.41: Physical qualifications for drivers are met.

Part 391.41: Physical qualifications for drivers.
Sections (b)(12)(i) - (b)(13)
(b)(12)(i) Does not use a controlled substance identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit-forming drug.
(b)(12) (ii) Exception. A driver may use such a substance or drug, if the substance or drug is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner who:
(b)(12)(ii)(A) Is familiar with the driver’s medical history and assigned duties; and
(b)(12)(ii)(B) Has advised the driver that the prescribed substance or drug will not adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle; and
(b)(13) Has no current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.

BUT it is not uncommon that once licensed, a person will not get hired after the company's medical exam and if hired, a person can lose the job if the company's insurance carrier doesnt like it, and thats just the way it goes.

So if a person taking adderall and a medication than can be used to control seizures, but takes it for something else entirely and has diabetes should probably just stay home and watch Ice Road Truckers re-runs?

 

That was a serious question

 

>>So if a person taking adderall and a medication than can be used to control seizures, but takes it for something else entirely and has diabetes should probably just stay home and watch Ice Road Truckers re-runs?[/QUOTE]

If you are insulin dependent, that can be an instant disqualification. I thought I saw it in the regs, but if not insurance companies don't like it (as you may know if you have tried to get medical or life insurance). Companies are not very good at seeing shades of grey, so it may not matter to them how mild your ADD is or how well controlled your diabetes is controlled. They may also be behind in accepting new technology. As an example, I have seen a piece on a Canadian Private Pilot who was able to get a license (not sure of the grade or restricitions) because he had an insulin pump and that kept him regulated to a certain high standard. US FAA says flat NO (they also lump depression, ADD and others under the archaic term "nervous disorder" and don't allow it. You can't even get around it with demonstrated competence like you can with one eye, missing limbs or a previous heart attack. Heart disease, maybe OK, got the blues, adios.)

Personal Opinion: I have to think the percentages of having problems from three different challenges may add up in total to: not a good idea. In addition, assuming you could be hired, what kind of shape do you think you'll be, say, 10 years down the road? While everyone is different, having a type 1 diabetic wife and having experience driving a cargo van myself for an expeditor, my opinion is: between the odd and long hours, with varying quality of sleep, OTR has gotta be hell for an insulin dependent diabetic (even assuming you have a well stocked fridge to get around the variable food availability)

good luck