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Which Medical Conditions Warrant Truck Driving Licenses?

Author: Jonathan Jonas
by Jonathan Jonas
Posted: Dec 05, 2021

Truck drivers require physical strength for long hours sitting behind the wheel, performing inspections, guarding loads, and adjusting the freight during transportation. Without a doubt, some medical conditions will arise those warrant truck drivers to keep their licenses handy.

Thus, ensure the safety of the driver and his ability to handle this demand; especially those drivers who operate a truck that weighs 10,000 pounds are required to take DOT physical once every two years.

This examination will indicate any possible concern with the driver's eyes, heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, and other body systems.

So if you are considering a truck driver's license, you need to know the requirements to earn your driving license from a truck driving school.

And in this article, we will help you with what are illnesses which warrant truck driving licenses?

Illnesses Warrant You from Having Truck License

There are varieties of illnesses, and some other reviewed factors, that define the effects on your fitness and your capability to drive a truck.

To know what illnesses could prevent you from having your License - first, you need a primary medical evaluation. Second, you need to recognize if you have a medical condition.

Primary Medical Evaluation

This evaluation will check your driving ability, it will check for:

  • Vision

  • Hearing

  • Cognitive Capabilities

  • Overall Health

  • Functional Capabilities

If your doctor found any issue with your primary medical evaluation, he may recommend a test driving exam to complete your medical evaluation.

The Medical Conditions That Disqualify Your Truck Driving Licenses

Here are some disorders and disabilities that intervene with safe driving:

  • Sight Impairment.

  • Vestibular dysfunction, like vertigo and dizziness.

  • Diabetes.

  • General frailty and lack of stamina, like constant pain, constant fatigue, and tardy reaction time.

  • Respiratory sicknesses, like lung infections or oxygen use.

  • Cardiovascular conditions, such as heart illnesses.

  • Continual renal disease, like kidney condition.

  • Cerebrovascular disease, like strokes.

  • Drugs and driving, like antidepressants, narcotics, sedatives, tonics, and alcohol dependence.

  • Psychiatric dysfunctions, such as mood and anxiousness disorders, attention shortage hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia.

  • Intracranial tumefaction.

  • Neurological ailments, such as various sclerosis and Parkinson’s syndrome.

  • Seizures and epilepsy.

  • Cognitive impairment embrace madness.

  • Peripheral vascular conditions, such as aneurysm and vein conditions.

  • Musculoskeletal ailments, like limb loss, joint disorder, inabilities.

  • Traumatic brain injury.

Do Exemptions Exist?

Of course, there are exemptions that grant drivers with specific conditions to continue driving their trucks if they attest that they are able to safely run the truck.

Like having one of the Variances conditions, which are diabetes, sight, and hearing issues.

Or missing a limb that does not interfere with the driver's ability to drive.

Additionally, there is a seatbelt wearing exemption if you are having difficulty wearing it however you need to prove that you're able to drive safely.

In this exemption, you must have a medical certificate signed by a modified medical practitioner to show it when needed at the court or to the police.

Why Should You Follow These Instructions About Your Medical Conditions?

Many people find it irritating to have these medical examinations, they think it's just a simple drive from A point to B point. However, it's not that simple. Because a truck driver is the first person who's responsible for the loads, he is transporting the load and how to adjust it carefully to gain a safe delivery.

Also, he is responsible for his own health and his truck's health. For the driver, he must keep fit with his duty requirements and with healthy eating habits.

Plus, to have a physical examination every 24 months and refresh their driving ability with refreshing driving programs. The driver needs to have his truck maintained regularly, such as checking his tires, engine performance, and oil level, etc.

Your Take Away,

As we mentioned above, truck driving could be exhausting and stressful, with long hours sitting for driving and concerns of transporting safely, which bring up some said issue to your health that affects your ability to drive.

That's the reason why truck drivers are required to undergo a medical evaluation to examine their fitness and capability for driving the truck.

It doesn't matter, as we mentioned above, about the exceptions section about what is known as variances condition. As long as you have proven that you are capable of driving the truck safely.

And truck companies share the responsibility of their drivers and ensure them to be suitable for the truck driving demands.

By asking them to have their physical evaluation once every 2 years and refreshing their driving licenses with a refreshing program from the best truck driving school in the area.

About the Author

This article discusses ocean freight rates and how it can affect your freight.

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Author: Jonathan Jonas

Jonathan Jonas

Member since: Jan 25, 2021
Published articles: 84

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