using prescription drugs and driving

If the FMCSR's do not specially list a medication there is no written law that says you must inform the company. However, if they have a company policy in place then that is where they have you. It's better to inform them you went to the and the doctor says it's ok. That's all that is required.

 

none.....

 

The way the law is written goes something like this.; you can take it as long as it doesn't interfear with safe driving. Narcotics are a big no as well as pot and benzos. Even if you have an rx. Even something like sleeping problems can make you loose your license. Basically for some drugs you need a doctors not saying that it won't interfear with your driving. Now if you are in Canada, it's illegal to get a drug test unless you are in an accident, but some companies might require them. I know a guy that broke his back when he was 14. Has been on Vicoden for years. He got pulled over in Missouri, and the officer asked what the bottle was on his dash. He told him. He lost his CDL and his 3 trucks over the deal.

 

That's not what the law says. You can use narcotics if the doctor says you're ok to drive. That all it says.

 

Last I checked the required DOT drug test doesn't even test for "benzos."

 

So basically A LOT OF what i am hearing on this thread is that there are guy who are taking prescription drugs that "aren't allowed" by there company, but since the DOT doesn't have a problem with them, by law, drivers are not required to disclose that info to the company....AM I CORRECT?

 

Pretty much, although I'm not sure how many companies actually have a list of drugs that are not allowed.

I have worked for 2 megas, neither of which have such a list. Both of them simply follow dot regs regarding drugs. That's the way it should be IMO.

 

No, not really. The problem is within the companies. They might have a company policy and when you fill out a job application they will ask you there. They will go around about way but what they will ask is if you are taking any medication. It might be the law that you may fall back on and release no medical information but then the company will just skip you.