Q&A: Diabetes Insulin and CDL Can a person using insulin to control diabetes still have a CDL license?
Question by tlcaptain: Diabetes Insulin and CDL Can a person using insulin to control diabetes still have a CDL license?
Can a person using insulin to control diabetes still have a CDL license with passenger endorsement?
Best answer:
Answer by Gary B
Most states now put severe limits on CDLs for diabetics due to the increased possibility of HYPOGLYCEMIA. This is the condition where the blood sugar is TOO LOW, and causes the patient to pass out. Can you imagine the devastation of a bus with 60-100 passengers doing 65 MPH with a comatose driver??
Hypoglycemia is NOT common in untreated diabetics, but when treatment begins, hypoglycemic attacks are very common. The patient must train him or her self to notice thee attacks BEFORE they get serious, and to stop the vehicle and take immediate effort to control the problem (which is simple — EAT SOMETHING!!!)
As the patient learns to better control their diabetes, hypoglycemic attacks become less common and less severe. So it is possible that some states will soon adopt legislation to ease up on the requirements for the CDL for Insulin-dependent Diabetic patients. The result will probably be MUCH more frequent required trips to the doctor (like, once every 30 days instead of the 60-90 days required by most doctors), increased use of the A1C Blood Test, and certain limitations on the license, required meal breaks, and possibly required ‘FInger Stick” blood testing during long trips.
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There still appears to be alot of confusion concerning whether or not persons with insulin diabetes are able to obtain a CDL license. For years, there was a ban that prevented those with diabetes who used insulin from driving commercial vehicles within interstate operation. However, in 2003, the FMCSA introduced the Diabetes Exemption Program which allowed individuals with insulin treated diabetes the ability to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.
In the beginning, this new regulation still had its problems. Mainly, it still required that people with insulin diabetes must have already driven commercially for the previous three years. If not, they would not be qualified for the exemption. Therefore, this three year rule made the new regulation, basically worthless for any new, potential CDL holders. This three year rule made it so difficult, that from 2003 to 2005, only four exemptions were issued.
Then, in late 2005, everything changed for the better. Due to the effort by the American Diabetes Association, President Bush signed into law, doing away with the three year requirement. There is no longer any need to show previous commercial driving experience, even if you are on insulin. However, there still are 57 other screenings, guidelines and provisions that one must pass in order to be granted the exemption. Also, one must abide by any particular state requirements in regards to the commercial driver license.
There are many questions and answers floating around the net stating that it is not possible to receive a CDL if you have insulin diabetes. The Truth is . . . YES YOU CAN! Thanks to the new regulations of the Diabetes Exemption Program, signed into law in 2005.
Until the physical qualification standards within the regulations are amended by the FMCSA, you will have to apply for the exemption. You can find the 16 page Diabetes Exemption Form you can download and fill out from the FMCSA site.
You will have to be evaluated by an Endocrinologist and an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist, and the form has areas that will need to be filled out by the doctors. The FMCSA must grant or deny an exemption within 180 days of receiving your application.
According to the law passed by Congress, individuals with insulin treated diabetes will have to demonstrate that they have control of the diabetes while on insulin. For those with Type 1 diabetes, they are required to have been on insulin for two months before they can apply for the exemption. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes are required to have been on insulin for at least one month. But, as you can see, one or two months is much better than the three year rule!
Take care
Tin
How offen dose a cld driver should eat a day or in a eight hour work day