BLOOD PRESSURE
“If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90–159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued.
An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months.”
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.
Will I get a green medical certificate when I pass the test?
You will get a medical certificate upon passing the exam. As of January 1, 2014 the DMV is no longer issuing green medical cards. Instead, we print up a medical certificate on a piece of paper. You always have the option of shrinking this paper down to the size of a card for convenience.
Is your office federally certified to perform the exams?
Our office has been certified since certification became a requirement in 2014.
Sleep apnea – Please be aware that if your BMI is more than 40, we may require you to take a sleep study (test for sleep apnea) from a third party. Although this is not an official requirement that has been written into law, it has been made clear that if a commercial driver is in an accident, their health will be scrutinized and the medical examiner can be held responsible for damages.
If you would like to calculate your BMI, please use google to find it. All you need to have is your height and weight.