Being a truck driver is a physically and mentally demanding profession. It is not a job that just anyone can do safely. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck drivers to be medically certified to drive a truck. If you or a family member were injured in a truck accident caused by a truck, the cause could have been that the truck driver had a medical condition that made it unsafe for him to drive the truck.
What Truck Drivers Are Required to Have a Medical Certification?
FMCSA regulations require that any truck driver in interstate commerce, which means that he drives over state lines, who drives a truck with a maximum gross weight of over 10,000 pounds must have a written medical certification before driving a truck. This rule applies to most truck drivers.
In order to be certified, a person must be examined by an examiner on the FMCSA national registry’s approved list. A trucking company must obtain an individual’s medical certification before hiring him. A medical certification is valid for 24 months.
Medical Requirements That Must Be Met to Be Certified
In order to be certified, a truck driver must meet certain medical requirements. These include:
- If he lost a foot, leg, arm, or hand, he must have a skill performance evaluation certificate in order to drive.
- He cannot have an impairment of a hand or finger that prevents him from grasping, or of an arm, leg, or foot that interferes with his ability to drive.
- He cannot have a diagnosis of diabetes that requires the use of insulin.
- Being diagnosed with certain heart conditions, such as a heart attack or a disease-causing cardiac arrest, may be disqualifying.
- He must pass a hearing and vision test, which has specific requirements for truckers.
- He must not have a medical condition that limits his ability to drive safely, such as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, arthritis, epilepsy, or a mental health condition.
- He must not have a diagnosis of alcoholism.
- He must not be using Schedule I drugs, such as marijuana, amphetamines, or other addicting drugs.
Determining that a truck driver’s medical conditions may have disqualified him from driving a truck and caused your injuries may not be apparent at the accident scene. An experienced truck accident attorney will know how to obtain the documents you need from the trucking company and medical examiner in order to prove this. To discuss your truck crash and your legal options, fill out our convenient online form to schedule a free, no-obligation, consultation today.
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