Diabetes Truck Driving Help!

Is he type 1 or type 2 , Type 1 is insulin dependent but sometime type 2 they will add insulin to help out.
If he is type 2 and tells his doc that he is a driver then maybe he can be treated with pills instead of insulin.
I am type 2 and not a driver and use insulin by choice, but trying to go back to just pills so I can drive.
I am really not sure if he can pass a medical while on insulin but someone on here will probably post something soon.

 

I can't see where anything has changed on the FMCSA, where the answer is generally no. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/391.41 ( section (3) ).

Their IS an exemption that can be applied for...http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/diabetes-exemption-application ( that's the application, you can look up more about what qualifies for the exemption...

good luck to your friend

 

Diabetes is a complicated topic. The question is does he require insulin to keep it under control?

I've been studying this for over 3 years now and still have many questions as I'm in the same shoes. Usually type I diabetics are born with it or acquire it at an early age. He has adult diabetes which usually is type II and it doesn't require insulin but a doctor might prescribe it if the patient is noncompliant with their diet. He has to get out of denial and give up the sweets and white starchy foods. He'll learn over time what he can and cannot eat. It's tough but it can be done.

Then there are diabetics drugs that are not insulin but are administered with a needle. Victoza is one of them and that's what I use along with Metformin which is a staple for type II diabetics. So he can't confuse his medication and call something insulin when it's not.

If he is on insulin he needs to talk with his doctor about alternative treatments. Back to the diet and exercise thing he needs to help the doctor and himself out. Then if he is on insulin the doctor can use something else.

Is this a big guy? Usually someone overweight that recently acquired diabetes also has sleep apnea which is another disqualifier if not treated. Sleep apnea contributes and leads to diabetes along with other medical problems. So that is another avenue he needs to cover if he wants to take his health and job seriously.

All this stuff doesn't mean he can't drive. Insulin dependent diabetics can drive with a waiver from the DOT. It's nothing but paperwork and backing by a Endocrinologist saying the patient has his diabetes under control and hasn't suffered any episodes of hypoglycemia (low sugar shock).

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs



This all brings up another issue. He is already is in violation of the regulations.

So basically his current medical certificate is void which makes his CDL void as it would be downgraded to a class D. He can get in real big trouble for this. Right now driving on a cancelled CDL is a automatic 1 year suspension and at a minimum a $2500 fine. Get in an accident and the lawyers will go crazy and he will lose everything plus some.


What I would do is get back to my doctor immediately and say "hey doc, this insulin disqualifies me from my job. Is there any other treatment we can use"? Then off the insulin go ahead and get the new physical now. Don't forget to give the DMV a copy of the new medical certificate until these new regulations take effect in January 2015. After January all the medical stuff with be computerized and attached to your CDL. No more need to carry the certificate. The doctor will electronically transfer the data to the state.

 

As long as he has to have injectable insulin he will not be approved by the DOT physician. He will have to be ale to show 6 months of managed diabetes while on the pills if he ever used injectable insulin. This law, and others that deal with driver health are in the process of being looked at -again- so if he wants to come back OTR then he should go see his doctor NOW.

 

First thing is that the day he became insulin dependent, his physical was invalid. He cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle without the waiver.

 

To the OP, DOT does have a program for insulin dependent diabetics. I am on it myself. It takes some foot work to complete and tons of time for DOT to get it approved; but it is possible to drive and use insulin. It took almost a year from beginning to end to get the paperwork completed and for DOT to approve me. DOT claims 6 months when they receive the complete app to approve/disapprove a driver. Once on the waiver, a diabetic driver no longer has to worry about keeping tight A1C or blood sugar levels. All the driver needs to do is check their glucose once every 2 to 4 hours while on the clock and make certain their glucose falls between 100 and 400. If outside those ranges, the driver cannot drive until back within the range. Good luck!

Look here: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/diabetes-exemption-application

EDIT: New diabetics are generally put on insulin to bring their blood sugar down and once the Dr. is satisfied with control, then they will back off the insulin and add pills until the patient is in control on pills only.

 

WOW! Good catch drivers, I completely missed the: He's from NJ and only drives in the state. I guess I assumed he was only driving his POV.

 

If only drives in the state and not farther than 100 miles he is governed by the state law. These comments have been assuming that he is subject to fmcsa and the 100 mile limit exceeded and crosses state lines.