Hi there. I keep hearing that having an ICD keeps you from driving interstate according to Fed motor carrier laws. I cant find that it does. Does anyone have a link to anything official? If I cant drive a truck part time anymore no sense renewing my CDL anymore.

 

 

I don't have anything official, but I know in Arkansas you cannot have a CDL if you have an ICD.

Thomas

 

Thats what I hear but cant find anything official. Theres gotta be a link somewhere.

 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/medical.htm

Sadly, mad trapper, it's true. Check this link and scroll down to section 391.41(b)(4). At one time I administered the medical standards for municipal bus drivers at a city's transit agency, and pacemakers are ok (if the PM has solved problems like syncope, etc), but ICDs are not. It's because of the high risk of an accident in the event of an ICD firing while driving. The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration sets the medical standards for all CDL holders, and the rules disqualifying certain medical situations cannot be waived for INTERSTATE drivers. If you only drive locally, not interstate, then the state you live in has the OPTION to set lower standards, and some states do. If that's your situation (not an interstate driver) then you'd need to check the rules for your state.

 

I called our DMV in Florida........no CDL's to Defibrillator patients.........period.......and if I was an employer I would not let you drive my truck knowing you could get zapped by your defibrillator and spill a tanker of oil all over the road.....

But its ok if I drive my own one ton truck hauling, a 40 foot boat down the road..........go figure........a zap is a zap, it doesn't care if your license is a CDL or not...

Good luck to ya.......

 

That bites, guess I'll have to look for something different for a part time gig. Funny thing is I still get to drive a police car!

 

I'm laughing at your PD.......if you wreck with or without a passenger while in your PD car, to, from or during wrok hours, the PD and City are liable....

 

Not to make light, in any way, of your legitimate question about CDL when I say that learning this gave my daughters a laugh. I had no idea that the ICD would have an impact on so many things. My dx and implant happened quite fast. We were at dinner and discussing that I need to find SOMETHING to do as a new hobby or part-time job/volunteer work to keep me busy. I told them that driving a big rig was out, since I just found out I can't seek (or get) a CDL. After laughing (I have quite a few speeding tickets and accidents),at the idea of me behind the wheel, they turned to each other and said, "mark that off her bucket list too..." Also, looking at my computer screen, right across from your message is an ad for Training to get your CDL. I agree about the police car and liability and can't figure that one out unless maybe someone is unaware.

 

Actually after my triple bypass my doc only agrred to release me back to full duty if I got the ICD. I figured work would make me pension out on a disability or put me on a desk. Still on full duty and havent had any problems with the ICD. But most people are suprised Im still on the job. even with it im in better shape then most of my guys. Still run 4-6 miles every other day too.