Are 1Yr Medical Cards Discriminated Against?

Very poor advice.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/medical/faq.asp?FAQTypeSub=1010&FaqQ


9.
What happens if a driver is not truthful about his/her health history on the medical examination form? 217
The FMCSA medical certification process is designed to ensure drivers are physically qualified to operate commercial vehicles safely. Each driver is required to complete the Health History section on the first page of the examination report and certify that the responses are complete and true. The driver must also certify that he/she understands that inaccurate, false or misleading information may invalidate the examination and medical examiner's certificate.

FMCSA relies on the medical examiner's clinical judgment to decide whether additional information should be obtained from the driver's treating physician. Deliberate omission or falsification of information may invalidate the examination and any certificate issued based on it. A civil penalty may also be levied against the driver under 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(b), either for making a false statement of for concealing a disqualifying condition.

 

It may be B.S. to you but that's the way it works. It's also the rule.....................And it's not discriminatory because the rule has been in effect for over 30-years

TITLE 49
TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER III
FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 391
QUALIFICATIONS OF DRIVERS AND LONGER COMBINATION VEHICLE (LCV) DRIVER Subpart E
Physical Qualifications and Examinations
Sec. 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers.

(6) Has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely

TITLE 49
TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER III
FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 391
QUALIFICATIONS OF DRIVERS AND LONGER COMBINATION VEHICLE (LCV) DRIVER
Subpart E
Physical Qualifications and Examinations
Sec. 391.43
Medical examination; certificate of physical examination.

Blood pressure (BP). If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90-159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months.

From a retired federal DOT official

 

On many applications you sign a release for personal info , including from your personal physician that writes your prescriptions .

 

That is not what you stated in the other post.

Besides, once treated for it, as I stated, it has to be in the record. I get a one year with perfect blood pressure. It is because of the medical history. Failure to record it into the history can lead to civil charges.

 

If you went to your own priivate doctor[ not company doctor] and was prescribed BP medicene and now your BP is normal how would the DOT know anything about it?, are not your medical records between you and your private doctor confidential unless ordered by the court to be handed over?















































bp

 

Hi, I am new here and also just about to get started in trucking. My two cents, no matter what the company might or might not have done if you told the truth, if you are caught in a lie, or with holding info, you are screwed. There is not a lawyer on the whole golf corse that can save you. On the other hand, if you are otherwise qualified and the company rejects you solely for TREATED blood pressure, that is a civil rights violation. Taking meds and getting the one year card is a reasonable accomodation for every one else so a company better have a #### good reason to be the exception.

 

If you have a problem with blood pressure now, at your
age, I would suggest you try to find a way to work on
it. Driving a Truck is one of the most stressful jobs out
there. It is also the easiest to put on weight because of
the long hours, lousy food, and little exercise.

There are other problems you may have because of your
large size other than blood pressure. I have seen drivers
who had to lower the seat to the floor just to fit behind
the wheel. What this does it disables the air spring in the
seat. Then when you go on lousy roads like NY where
the pot holes are large enough to pop tires, your back
is put through heavy abuse.

What I do before a physical is abstain from caffeine before
it. I also have a habit of jogging a couple times
a week which seems to keep it low. My father and
grandfather both took medication for high blood pressure.
( Dad still does).

There are plenty of reasons an employer will
discriminate against you ( legally and illegally)
being overweight is one of them. Who wants to hire
a driver who may take off work for any one of the
many health problems an over weight person has?

I believe I was discriminated against because I am
a veteran, for example but I cannot prove it. If you
can't find a job working for a big company I would
suggest one of those small ones that pay less to
start out. The jobs where you have to unload your
trailer, work the dock, or strap down the load.
Whatever it takes to lose the weight and keep it off.
Once you have a good work record, the extra weight
won't matter as much. Also, talk to drivers in your
area. I go to a place to get my physical that is lax.
I could probably pass a strict physical, but why?
Going there, knowing I will pass also keeps my
BP low. Hope this helps, sorry for the length.