Can My CDL Be Revoked Due to a Medical Condition?

 Posted on September 20, 2024 in CDL

Operating a commercial vehicle is not the same as driving a passenger car. Someone who drives a school bus, heavy-duty truck, or vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds may find it more physically and mentally taxing than driving a sedan or SUV. If the driver cannot handle the demands on his or her mind and body, he or she can present a threat to public safety.

Therefore, there are certain medical requirements for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL). If those requirements are not met, the CDL will likely be denied; or, if a driver develops a medical condition after being issued a CDL, it may be revoked.

This article will discuss the medical requirements for a CDL and how to challenge a denial or revocation. For more details or any questions regarding CDLs, consult a California CDL defense attorney.

What Are the Medical Requirements for a CDL?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established regulations that deny CDLs to people with certain conditions. These include:

• Insulin-dependent diabetes: Diabetic drivers who rely on insulin may have a hard time balancing the diet and rest they need while on the road. Side effects from diabetes may also hamper a driver’s vehicle operation, which can pose a safety threat.
• Limited limb use: Someone who does not have full use or sensation in his or her limbs or extremities may have trouble using them to operate a large vehicle.
• Heart issues: A driver who has a heart condition may experience trouble breathing or heart failure while driving, which would pose a safety risk.
• Breathing issues: Someone with a respiratory condition may suffer fatigue, dizziness, a loss of mental acuity, and a loss of consciousness while driving the vehicle.
• Mental disorders: Mental or emotional disorders can impair a driver’s reasoning, judgment, attention, and/or memory. Even when treated, some medications carry side effects that may present a safety threat.

How Can I Challenge a CDL Denial or Revocation?

There are ways you can obtain or keep a CDL even if you have one of the conditions outlined in the FMCSA’s regulations. One of the best ways to do this is to show the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that the condition does not affect your driving. For example, there are certain medications for mental disorders that are permitted because the side effects are minimal. Or, if you have a limb defect or damage to your extremities, you can demonstrate that it does not impact your operation of a vehicle.

Keep in mind that obtaining or defending a CDL when you have a medical condition is more effective when you have support from your doctor and you are being guided by an attorney. If your CDL is revoked, you may request a hearing for the DMV to review your case. You are not required to be represented by an attorney but it is a major advantage.  

Contact a Napa, CA CDL Defense Attorney

While it is true that drivers with certain medical conditions can pose a safety risk, a CDL should not be denied to someone who does not present a threat to public safety. At Burglin Law Offices, P.C., attorney Paul Burglin has represented thousands of clients and will use his 32 years of legal experience to your advantage. Schedule a free consultation with a Sonoma, CA CDL defense lawyer by calling 415-729-7300 today.