High Blood Pressure: How Does This Affect Your DOT Medical Card?

One of the most frequent concerns we hear from commercial drivers regarding the DOT physical exam, is about high blood pressure.

Here is the excerpt from FCMSA Rules and Regulations Part 391.41(b)(6) regarding blood pressure:

“A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with the ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.”

Here are the medical guidelines according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Note that employers are allowed to impose more stringent CDL requirements.

Normal: Medically certified to drive for a two-year period

Normal – Corresponds to a BP of 90 – 119 systolic and /or a BP of 60 – 79 diastolic.

PreHypertension – Corresponds to a BP of 120 – 139 systolic and /or a BP of 80 – 89 diastolic.

A driver with a blood pressure of less than 140 systolic and 90 diastolic, is qualified and may get their DOT medical card to drive for a two-year period.

Stage 1 Hypertension: Medically certified to drive for a one-year period

Corresponds to a BP of 140 – 159 systolic and /or a BP of 90-99 diastolic.

A driver with a blood pressure in this range is at low risk for hypertension-related acute incapacitation and may get their DOT medical card to drive for a one-year period. A DOT physical exam should be done annually thereafter and should be at or less than 140/90. If less than 160/100, certification may be extended one time for three months.

Stage 2 Hypertension: One-time medical certification of three months

Corresponds to a BP of 160-179 systolic and/or a BP of 100-109 diastolic.

The driver is given a one-time DOT medical card of three months to reduce his or her blood pressure to less than or equal to 140/90.

A driver with a blood pressure in this range is a candidate for antihypertensive drug therapy. Provided treatment is well tolerated and the driver demonstrates a BP value of 140/90 or less, they may get their medical card for one year from the date of the initial exam. The driver should do a DOT physical exam annually thereafter.

Stage 3 Hypertension: Disqualified

Corresponds to a BP at or greater than 180 systolic and / or 110 diastolic.

A driver with a blood pressure in this range is considered a high risk for an acute BP-related event, and is disqualified.

The driver may not be qualified for a DOT medical card, even temporarily, until blood pressure is reduced to equal to or less than 140/90 and treatment is well tolerated. The driver may be certified for 6 months and biannually (redo their DOT physical exam every 6 months) thereafter if at recheck BP is equal to or less than 140/90.

Bottom Line For Commercial Drivers:

Your Blood Pressure Needs To Be BELOW 140/90.

By: Dr. Michael Tigges

Samedaydot.com