Q. Is the certification limited to current employment or job duties?
A. When a medical examiner grants medical certification, he or she certifies the driver to perform any job duty required of a commercial motor vehicle driver, not just the driver's current job duties.
Q. What medical conditions disqualify a commercial bus or truck driver?
A. The truck driver must be medically qualified to not only drive the vehicle safely, but also to do pre- and post-trip safety inspections, secure the load, and make sure it has not shifted. Bus drivers have different demands.
	By regulation, specific medically disqualifying conditions found under 49 CFR 391.41 are hearing loss, vision loss, epilepsy, and insulin use.
	Drivers who require a diabetes or vision exemption to safely drive a commercial motor vehicle in addition to those preprinted on the certification form are disqualified until they receive such an exemption.
Q. Who is required to have a copy of the medical certificate?
A. Section 391.43(g) requires the medical examiner to give a copy of the medical certificate to the driver and the motor carrier (employer) if the driver passes the medical examination.
Q. Is narcolepsy disqualifying?
A. The guidelines recommend disqualifying a commercial motor vehicle driver with a diagnosis of narcolepsy, regardless of treatment, because of the likelihood of excessive daytime somnolence.
Q. Can a driver on oxygen therapy be qualified to drive in interstate commerce?
A. In most cases, the use of oxygen therapy while driving is disqualifying. Concerns include oxygen equipment malfunction, risk of explosion, and the presence of significant underlying disease that is disqualifying, such as pulmonary hypertension. The driver must be able to pass a pulmonary function test.
Q. Can a commercial motor vehicle driver be disqualified for using a legally prescribed medication?
A. Although the driver has a legal prescription, he or she may be disqualified if the medication could adversely affect the driver's ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.
Q. Is a driver on kidney dialysis disqualified?
A. At this time, there is no guidance from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. At the least, the examiner should require a letter from the treating physician (nephrologist) outlining the condition, medications, and recommendation regarding certification. The examiner may or may not accept this recommendation. The driver must meet all criteria for certification. Restrictions other than those on the preprinted form are disqualifying.