Medical Certificates, what a joke!

Medical card????
What is it????



I have a Canadian CDL, and we do NOT carry medical cards. If you don't pass your medical, you don't get a CDL....
As simple as that.
Had a few problems with local LEO's, but I have a copy of a reciprocity letter from FMCSA with me at all times. DOT and state troopers know not to ask for it when they see a Canadian CDL

 

I know a few drivers that have insulin dependent diabetes. All they do is get one of those argent care clinic doctors to see and sign their form. That doctor doesn't know any more that what the driver puts on the form. The system is broke and needs to be fixed, should have something similar to what airline pilots have.

Mark

 

In my thirty five years of working in the transportation sector, I have never met anyone that admitted to falsifying his card, I also have never asked if anyone did falsify. During the BS sessions about the cards, most of the violations I am aware of were due to expiration, forgetting to renew; and younger drivers, and farm hands that simply didn't know they were required to have one, (or so they said).
I seriously doubt the controlled number system would solve the problem of non-certified drivers in my area. I personally know of three doctors that will issue you a card after simply checking your blood pressure; if your BP is borderline, you can walk out with a card. I honestly don't know if they would issue if your BP was way above/below the limits, but as for a thorough exam..... not in their office.
On the other end of the spectrum, the carrier I am leased to uses the same clinic as the company I was formerly employed by, and those people are almost too thorough, which makes going in for an exam kind of scary at my age.

One thing I have been reading with interest is the focus on the sleep apnea and cpap machines. I read where some states are looking into monitering the cpap cards to verify that drivers are indeed getting the rest they need. I have mixed feelings about this, sort of in the same class as the OBR black box thing.

 

My dad, also a driver, is on CPAP and just a month or so ago went for another sleep study to be re-titrated and get a new machine for the new law that might be passed. He and I talk almost every day and he always asks me if I've seen anything about this new law on this site. droy's post is the first I've seen that even mentioned that.


As to the original point of this thread, I've never falsified or ran without a valid medical card. I don't personally know anyone who has, either. Most everyone I know is healthy enough to pass a DOT physical without any problems.

 

The FMCSA is releasing a new rule that will require drivers to submit their medical certificate to their licensing state. It will be up to a cleark to accurately transcribe the duration of the medical certificate to allow the CDL to remain active.

The FMCSA currently has a medical board and is working on developing a list of certified doctors to perform DOT physicals.

IMHO, eventually a DOT approved physician will have to send the driver's medical cert straight to the state where the driver is licensed.

Be safe.

 

The state of Indiana already requires its CDL holders to file a copy of their physical with the BMV.

 

California requires drivers to carry along with the "green card", a copy of the long form with them at all times in the commercial rig. Never really thought about it before, but probably to verify the "green card" is current, and medical is up to date.

Plus the DMV notifies drivers, (just got my letter last week) when the driver is 60 days away from medical expiration.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but, can somebody explain me what exactly do US CDL holders have to have....
From what I understand, you have to carry your CDL and a medical card, right?
As I mentioned before, I don't have a medical card, nobody in Canada does...
My CDL is my medical card...

"86.
I operate a CMV in the United States but reside outside of the United States. Can I use my foreign medical certificate? 200
Yes, if you are a resident of Mexico or Canada. Drivers certified in Canada are certified to drive in the United States, providing they meet U.S. requirements. For Mexican drivers, the medical examination is part of the Licencia Federal. It is not necessary for Mexican drivers to carry a separate medical certifying document.
A CMV operator from Canada or Mexico who has been issued a valid commercial driver’s license by a Canadian Province or the Mexican Licencia Federal is no longer required to have a medical certificate. The driver’s medical exam is part of the driver’s license process and is proof of medical fitness to drive in the United States. However, Canadian and Mexican drivers who are insulin-using diabetics, who have epilepsy, or who are hearing-and-vision impaired are not qualified to drive CMVs in the United States. Furthermore, Canadian drivers who do not meet the medical fitness provisions of the Canadian National Safety Code for Motor Carriers but who have been issued a waiver by one of the Canadian Provinces or Territories are not qualified to drive CMVs in the United States. Similarly, Mexican drivers who do not meet the medical fitness provision of The Licencia Federal de Conductor but who have been issued a waiver by The Licencia Federal de Conductor are not qualified to drive CMVs in the United States."

Isn't this simpler?