Wanna-be truckers with medical problems?

I will tell you what I know and that is very little in fact...
Certain meds will kill any chance of getting into a big rig... controlled substances for sure and other meds that effect the brain... Even stop smoking meds like Chantix is a no no in the truck. Now, that being said, they have no way, that I know of, to check your medical history or what meds you have been perscribed by your dr. From my rescent employment orientation with the company I currently drive for, I believe they can get some emergency room history... I really don't know the exacts, other than some meds will keep you out of a truck for sure...

Now, that all being said.. If you can find out if the meds you might be on will keep you out of the truck or not and say, you do find out that they are ok... Will you be able to sleep at night IF this medical condition causes someones death?

simple speculation on my part... I wish you the best in your search for answers to obtain a liscense to do what I absolutely LOVE doing in life,,,driving a big rig!

 

If you can pass a dot physical you should be ok. The phisical will include a place where you must disclose your medical history. You will need a note from the doctor that treated/cured you. If you are on meds you will have to check to see if what you are taking is ok w/DOT Regs. It's a lot of reading, but take a look here: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/medical/medical.htm Where you can read about medical guidelines. Below is a copy of the dot form you will have to fill out.

Good Luck

 

I can't say about getting that first job but I can give you real-life story. My trainer has had 10yrs with the company. Was trainer of the month twice and has a million miles safe driving award. He recently went through a bad divorce and had some serious depression. He is counciling now and on meds and seems to have it under management. However, the company is worried about his meds and the strength of them. Over a certian amount and he can't drive, the meds knock him out real bad. Also he has less miles now as they keep him close to home so that he can make his Dr. appointments. They are trying all they can to keep him around but can only do so much. When I was with him if he took a full pill in order to wake him up you had to splash water on him. Most of the time he took a half pill and was diffucult to wake him but possible. The company is watching him close now wanting to keep him as a driver but not sure if they can safely or economicly. So would think as a new driver would be harder to get hired on but don't know for sure.

 

At least some companies will see the entire report that you fill out... maybe they all do.

I listed having been given morphine earlier in the summer for an appendix operation and the school recruiter had me go back to the doc and get them to remove that from my paperwork. She said having morphine listed on there would be an automatic red flag when it comes to getting a job. Obviously, she's anticipating company recruiters looking at that same paperwork.

 

Some carriers will send new recruits to their own doctors. It is important to answer all questions truthfully, on your physical or an employment application. However, I would not volunteer any information that was not requested. The main concern with potential employers and physicals is that none want drivers working for them where they are likely to have a workers compensation claim or anyone who might have a history of drug abuse. If drugs that you used were prescribed due to a medical condition at the time, or a surgery, then it should not be a problem. Carriers don't want the liability when it comes to someone who has a history of drug abuse. If you do take drugs then you don't need to be in this business. Anyone who drives a commercial vehicle is subject to random drug testing. If you do use drugs, whether legal or not, you are probably going to get caught. There are some drugs that are prohibited for drivers, even if they are prescribed.

 

Here's the facts. If you come into this industry trying to lie or cover up any problem you have had then find another field because 9 times out of 10 the information you try to cover up will come back and cost you a lot of money. The companies get the information from many places. When you get hired on to a company a file is started and it contains many items about you. Your medical history is not listed on your job application except for any drug and alcohol problems. The insurance company can screen this file, however, the drug and alcohol part can only be used for hiring purposes. You will sign a form that gives the company authorization to seek any information they like about your alcolhol and drug background.

Also in your file the doctor's certificate will be on file. That is where you are reqired to list all your medical history. The rules on what is acceptable and what you need to do on a lot of different situations are listed in the FMCSR PART §391. Any recruiter that tells you not to list any history is FULL OF BS. Do you think for one minute that recruiter will back you up if they find out??

There be some drivers that got away not listing all the facts. They are lucky. But I can tell you what will happen if you cover up information and the company does find out. First you'll be fired. That's not you biggest worry. Next, just about all the starter companies will ruin your career and place what happened on the DAC System. The bad information they report will not be the fact on your medical part but the fact you lied. Of course it will list what you lied about but the fact that you lied is the killer for any future work. The companies look at you like you can not be trusted.Then when you're out of work the company will turn you into collections for repayment for school and/or any other cost they put out.

It just gets down to a simple fact to just tell the truth before you pay or sign anything. You can read the FMCSR's and find out if you have a problem that may disqualify you. Past surgeries and the medication they gave you will not prevent you from driving. it may require a letter from the doctor but once you have that letter you keep it so you'll have no problems later on.

As far as a company finding out about your past, that only depends on the company and how much they want to dig. My company had it's own investigation department and they would check very extensively. So if you leave information out that is required you're taking a chance when you really don't need to. Please check out this information with the regulations and not from a student,recruiter, or anybody that can not back up what they say with a reference. At least then you'll know the risk and won't be blind.

 

My personal experience is that your past illnesses/injuries will not haunt you that much, it's more about current problems. Mental illness issues may be different especially since some you are never truly rid of, but can get under control with medication. If a doctor has signed you off as fit for work they really can not hold that against you. This is purely from the illness/injury standpoint, not medications as my experience does not involve that.

Within the past 5 years I had 9 surgeries for two major broken bones. I was unable to walk for 3 years and pretty useless for the 4th year. I don't even have a fibula in either leg now as one was destroyed and the other was used in place of my tibia in the other leg. I also am deaf in one ear. I had absolutely no problems with any companies holding that against me when I was seeking jobs. At most they just wanted the release to work note from a doctor. My current employer didn't even require that. I was completely upfront about it especially considering it's all part of the reason I have a huge gap in employment.

The medication side is something I have no experience so I can't comment on that.

You brought up the cancer thing and my dad is a driver and has been battling off and on cancer for the last 5 years. His company has been nothing but supportive and even has him on a medical "rehab" work schedule that allows him to get full pay only driving 30 hours a week until he feels he is capable of physically handling the job full time again. He even received Marinol during his treatment which is synthetic THC and the company had no problem with that as well as long as he could pass a drug test before coming back to work.

Now obviously my dad and my personal experiences don't cover the entire realm of medical problems and I won't comment on what a company can and can't hold against you as I honestly don't know. But these are two major medical experiences that involve drivers that still have a job afterward or got a job afterward. Be honest and upfront and have the documentation to say you are fit for work.

 

If you are taking prescription medications, you will need to be careful. Some are prohibited by the feds. I believe there is a list of prohibited medications. If you are currently taking one of the prohibited medications you will need to either come off those meds or find another career. There could be some natural supplements or herbs that you could take instead of a prescription that would not be prohibited or impair your performance.