Q: Since marijuana is legal in some states, is the use of it by commercial drivers still affected by federal laws?
A: Yes, marijuana, under federal law, is still illegal and considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Any use of such a controlled substance would be cause for immediate disqualification.
Q: What happens if it is found that a driver has lied on a medical examination form?
A: All drivers, when submitting their health history on the medical examination form, are certifying that they are being completely truthful when it comes to their health history. Any falsehood or omission by the driver can invalidate the examination and cause them to lose their license and become unable to drive commercially. There are also civil penalties which can be levied against the driver.
Q: Are dot medical examiners allowed to share medical examination results with the driver’s employer?
A: While the official “Instructions to the Medical Examiner” do not explicitly address or prohibit the sharing of medical examination information or results, any medical examiner should follow and adhere to HIPPA guidelines.
Q: What tests are administered to test the hearing of the driver?
A: The test will either be a forced whisper test or an audiometry test. The forced whisper test consists of the tester standing away from the ear being tested, about 5 feet in distance, and whispering using the breath left over from a forced expiration. If the potential driver happens to fail the forced whisper test, then an audiometric test will be administered by the tester.
Q: Are motor carrier companies legally obligated to provide air conditioning in their motor vehicles?
A: Such a rule is not addressed by any governing body. Individual drivers should inquire to the company they are interested in working for as to whether they provide air conditioning.