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Willie · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

I got a DOT physical (with an ICD) in Michigan PRIOR to attending Trainco and cant get a job because I have an ICD. 1- DOT regs state that a person with an ICD is NOT qualified 2- the physican should NOT have passed me to begin with. My situation is this: The state of MI has a waiver that I can apply for but it takes up to 6 months to find out if they'll allow it. Is there anyone out there that applied for a medical waiver from Michigan that was allowed to drive with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)?

Myth_Buster · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject:

Quote: Subpart E — Physical Qualifications and Examinations

§391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers.

(b)(4) Has no current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure;

The thing that disqualifies you is the medical advisory:

Quote: A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

Has no current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis.

or

Any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure.

The term "has no current clinical diagnosis of" is specifically designed to encompass, (1) a current cardiovascular condition; or (2) a cardiovascular condition which has not fully stabilized regardless of the time limit. The term "known to be accompanied by" is designed to include a clinical diagnosis of a cardiovascular disease (1) which is accompanied by symptoms of syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure; and or (2) which is likely to cause syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure.

It is the intent of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to render unqualified, a driver who has a current cardiovascular disease which is accompanied by and/or likely to cause symptoms of syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure. However, the subjective decision of whether the nature and severity of an individual's condition will likely cause symptoms of cardiovascular insufficiency is on an individual basis and qualification rests with the medical examiner and the motor carrier. In those cases where there is an occurrence of cardiovascular insufficiency (myocardial infarction, thrombosis, etc.), it is suggested that, before a driver is certified, he/she have a normal resting and stress ECG, no residual complications, no physical limitations, and is taking no medication likely to interfere with safe driving.

Coronary artery bypass surgery and pacemaker implantation are remedial procedures and thus not unqualifying. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are disqualifying due to risk of syncope. Coumadin is a medical treatment which can improve the health and safety of the driver and should not, by its use, medically disqualify the commercial driver. The emphasis should be on the underlying medical condition(s) which require treatment and the general health of the driver. FMCSA should be contacted at (202) 366-1790 for additional recommendations regarding the physical qualification of drivers on coumadin.

(See Cardiovascular Advisory Panel Guidelines for the Medical Examination of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/medreports.htm)

If Michigan issues a medical examiner's certificate it will be valid for intrastate commerce only.

Be safe.

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