Blood Pressure Disclouser & The DOT

Maybe the doctor made a mistake with the dates on your med card, it should be for one year, i took a physical a few years ago and the exp.date was the same date that i took the physical??? i think that doc was on meds at the time as the whole clinic, it took 4 trips to the clinic to get the med card fixed. And the feds are worried about drivers being on drugs, what about the doctors and the clinics, they should be drug tested also.

 

At one time there was a statement in the instructions that allowed the doctor the leeway to issue the card for two years if your High BP was controlled. I tried to argue with the doctor that he could only issue for one year and he showed me the statement in the instructions. This was a couple of physicals back so that may have changed but he still issues me a two year card.

John

 

Thanks! That clears that up!

 

Even if treated properly, you're taking meds for it, which means your body isn't regulating the BP properly, so the FMCSA is basically just forcing you to get to the doctor more often to make sure the drugs you're on (and dosages) are still working properly. Two years is a LONG time if your meds aren't as effective as they once were.

Personally, EZ Money, I'd still go get a physical a year early just for your own well being. If something happens, they can pull up your history and say you couldn't be legal to drive. The DR can't override an FMCSA rule. And as a driver, you're supposed to know the rules.

Besides, you can get a DOT physical as often as you'd like. There's no restriction on the frequency, other than the maximum number of days between them.

 

From 49 CFR 391.41(b)(6) - The first 5 paragraphs give the limitations for different levels of blood pressure, the 6th paragraph verbatim reads "Annual recertification is recommended if the medical examiner does not know the severity of hypertension prior to treatment."

John

 

Your card is valid if you test under 140/80 even if on meds you are supposed to get a 2 year card some examiners only give for 1 year they are wrong and supposed to give 2 year

 

False.

If you're on meds for BP, you get a 1 year card until you're off meds and under 140/90 naturally.

If a DR put the wrong expiration date on your card, it's still your responsibility to follow the FMCSA rules, and that includes whether you are or are not legal to drive. Just like HOS, if your company tells you to violate HOS, or gives you permission to violate HOS, it doesn't mean you can. Same here. Just because a DR screws up, doesn't mean you get to violate driver certification. You know if you're on meds, and the FMCSA is quite clear on how long you're certified from date of examination.

 

You are wrong you can get 2 year with meds read 391.41 in the law it is only recommended other drivers with meds have posted they got 2 year it was not a mistake . The post you put is not the law try reading 391.41 in the law you might learn something !! It is not always doctors giving physical and do not know what they are doing or up on what the law actually is . Did you know it is not a doctor giving these physicals most times ?

 

Thinking back i have always got a two year card even though i tell them i'm on BP meds....
Been on the same medication for at least 10 years and BP is under control.

I may give the Doc a call and ask.......She was a real MD not a nurse.

 

Just about anything can trigger high BP.You won't get disqualified for medication to control it.Im on medicine.The lowest form there is.What the doctor will probably do if it reads too high is have you sit there for awhile and see if it lowers then try again.If it still reads too high then yes you'll get disqualified and have to go home.The doctors office will want to know about your medicine.You'll have to fill out forms and a questionier.Make sure to bring your medicine with you.Dont worry about failing the drug test due to this medicine,thats why its important to tell the doctors office and show them the medicine.I had my psysical last week.It wasnt a first time one but a renewel.Like post#2 said all the info the DOT needs to know will be on the company paperwork.