DOT Medical with Sleep Apnea - Does this sound right?

Posted by KatieTSO@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 13 comments

At my first DOT physical in July, the doctor made me get tested for sleep apnea, and the test found severe obstructed sleep apnea. I finally got my CPAP last week. My "pending" physical expired on the 30th, meaning I need to go have my prospective employer reauthorize it. Fine. I've asked, waiting to hear back.

They said with 1 week of CPAP compliance records from my machine they can authorize a 1 month card, and with 1 month of compliance, they can do 3 months of a card, and then after I'm compliant for that, I can get a 1 year card and renew every year after that. I'll have to pass a DOT physical each time.

Does this sound right? I'm really hoping my prospective employer reauthorizes me to get more physicals, as I really want to work for them (+ need the pay).

I've got a DMV appointment for my CLP on the 11th, and I need to get my card by then or I'll have to reschedule and push it out again. That'll suck if so. My state (Colorado) requires a DMV appointment.

Also let them know I'd be happy to apply for another role within the company if they can't have me as a bus driver. I plan to try and leverage that for a transfer once I can get a card. I also said I'd be happy to work towards compliance while at my current employer and pay for my own card if it means I can reapply and come be a bus driver.

Pay is worth it, I make $23.50 at my grocery store and they'll pay me at least $25.95 starting with union benefits and government benefits including government retirement plans. Health insurance is more expensive by a lot but the extra pay and the fact they pay into a retirement plan at no cost to me makes up for it. They also have a $4000 signing bonus split over the first 18 months (3 months + each 6 months after start date is $1000 each). I also will be able to cash out my $4000 401k from my current employer and use it to get all of my bills current and maybe a little something for myself. Paying for my own DOT card is worth it, then, for me.

I also am limited to 1 year instead of 2 years because I am on Vyvanse and Wellbutrin for ADHD and depression, respectively. I think the CPAP also limits to a year. My prospective employer has no problem with 1 year cards but I hope they're okay with those shorter term cards.

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IBringTheHeat2@reddit

Should of never said you snore

Waisted-Desert@reddit

DOT physicals costs $85-110 in CO. Pay for it yourself if you have to.

KatieTSO@reddit (OP)

Absolutely will, if I have to. Would rather do that than have to wait on my prospective employer.

FossMan21@reddit

Depending on the employer they may not care and force you to get a new one. Current job I’m at made me get a new one. My previous exam was done 2-3 months prior to being hired.

Smegma-sniff@reddit

That is absolutely the normal CPAP sleep apnea dot crap i do the same thing. Just means we get to get a physical every year yay. Side note though seems like you're making decent money where you work I don't know if anyone's ever told you this but driving a truck sucks ass and it doesn't seem like you'll be getting paid that much more. If you value your quality of life at all i would just stay where you're at maybe try and get a promotion or a raise or something.

Whichever way you go good luck though

I hate my job now and can't afford life right now. This is a bus driving job that comes with a good union and room for growth. Most of their supervisors used to be bus drivers.

My grocery store job is basically dead-end. I don't have enough experience to get a promotion because I've never been a manager. Also, the bus thing seems to be a good fit because I enjoy driving and I enjoy interacting with the public. Also, signing bonus.

hotdog11inch@reddit

That is the stupidest damn rule we have to deal with

Agreed

Sounds odd to me but may depend on what state you are in. I got my machine a week before starting my first Cdl job. They had no issue giving me a one year card. No issues since

Colorado and the doctor is at Concentra

amazingmaple@reddit

Yep sounds about right. They want to make sure you are using it

superkickpalooza@reddit

Sounds about on par honestly, I know a dude that had to deal with the CPAP stuff and he said it was a nightmare trying to get the ball rolling but once you're in motion it shouldn't be a huge deal, especially now that you have the CPAP which can be a hurdle in itself.

Took like 2 weeks to get it