In the United States, you can only get one 3-month medical card. After this grace period, your condition is expected to be resolved or under control.
If you get this standard 3-month medical card, you need to find a way to manage or control your physical condition. Once this is complete, the DOT examiner will immediately issue a new medical card that will remain valid for one year.
Howbeit, if the issue is yet to be resolved after 3 months, the medical card will not be extended. Owing to that, it is vital to take the right steps to manage the condition and get it under control. This will ensure that you can avoid limitations and additional physicals.
Don’t forget that the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Association (FMCSA) is steadfast when it comes to its licensing requirements for big rig drivers.
Truth be told, staying stringent on truck drivers’ health is very important for a wide range of reasons. Owing to that, the FMCSA mandates all commercial drivers of big rigs, noted as 10,000 or more max gross weight, that cross state lines to hold a current medical certificate.
You have to understand that your DOT medical card lasts for different lengths of time, depending on your situation. The 3-month DOT medical card tends to depend on a physical examination at a certified DOT medical location.
Any driver who scales this physical will have a DOT medical card that is valid for two years. Howbeit, if a driver has a medical condition that impacts the issuance of a two-year card, a 3-month DOT medical card will be provided.
Just as was noted above, just one 3-month DOT medical card will be issued to a particular driver and within this period he or she is expected to deal with the medical problem causing the restriction.
Conditions Might Cause a 3-Month Medical Card to Be Issued?
In the United States, there are stipulated physical conditions that will necessitate your examining physician to withhold full medical approval. One thing to understand is that driving in the said condition can be disastrous to the driver and other motorists.
Anyone with a medical emergency due to a health condition might put others at risk by inadvertently causing an accident. Some of the conditions that might cause a 3-month medical card to be issued include:
- Sleep apnea
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Heart, lung, vascular, or renal disease
- Blood Clots
- Epilepsy
- Rheumatic conditions
- Orthopedic conditions
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Use of oxygen
- Psychiatric disorder
- Vision or hearing loss
- Meniere’s Disease
- Alcoholism
- Drug abuse
However, if for any reason you feel that you are physically eligible to handle a big rig despite a restrictive health condition, it is suggested you seek a second opinion from a different clinic.
Also, note that there are other DOT medical card restrictions aside from the 3-month medical card. The FMCSA also possesses what is known as a “Determination Pending” status that can be assigned for 45 days.
The Determination Pending status illustrates that medical personnel found a medical condition and would want to obtain more insight before they can provide full certification.
Drivers with a Determination Pending status are legally permitted to operate their big rig during the 45-day period as long as they currently hold a DOT medical card. Once the 45 days’ elapse, a decision will be made on whether to obtain full medical approval.
Howbeit, if the status is not cleared after 45 days, the first medical exam is declared invalid and the driver will have to be examined again.
What Happens If You Don’t Fix the Problem Within 3 Months?
For drivers who were able to get the medical condition under control in 90 days, the doctor will provide a DOT medical card valid for one year and mandate a recheck after the year is up.
Immediately it is confirmed that the condition is fully in control, the doctor can then provide a full 2-year DOT medical card. However, if you fail to handle the restricting medical condition, your doctor might choose not to extend the 3-month DOT medical card.
Note that without a valid DOT medical card, big rig drivers might get their CDL suspended indefinitely until the medical condition is certified controlled or gone.
Conclusion
Just as it was noted above, just one 3-month DOT medical card will be issued to a driver within this period. This can mean the difference between working and not working.
Immediately it is confirmed that the condition is fully in control, the doctor can then provide a full 2-year DOT medical card. However, if you fail to handle the restricting medical condition, your doctor might choose not to extend the 3-month DOT medical card.