If you have diabetes and you want to become a truck driver or renew your CDL, you may have concerns about taking the DOT physical. DOT physicals can be nerve-wracking enough as it is, though the good news is that you can still pass the DOT physical even with diabetes.
DOT physicals don’t directly test for diabetes, but the medical examiner will ask questions about your medical history and lifestyle habits. Depending on your answers, they may require further testing. Ultimately, if you have elevated blood sugar levels or uncontrolled diabetes, it’s best to work with your own physician first to ensure you pass the DOT physical.
Simplex Group assists truck drivers, including diabetic drivers. We offer help for CDL qualifications to ensure you meet DOT regulations. In this blog post about DOT physical requirements, we detail what you need to know about getting your CDL while having diabetes.
Can You Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with Insulin Treated Diabetes?
You can operate a commercial vehicle even if you have diabetes. However, during your DOT physical, anything that comes up that could cause concern for the medical examiner will mean that additional tests are ordered.
Expect tests for blood sugar levels and blood glucose tolerance tests, and prepare in advance by working with your own physician to ensure that you have acceptable blood sugar levels. This pre-existing condition should not limit your ability to drive a truck, however, you must do what is required to keep your blood sugar level and blood glucose in a healthy range.
What Are the DOT Requirements for Diabetes Type 2?
DOT physical requirements declare that all drivers provide a written statement that is signed by a medical professional that states whether or not they have diabetes. This written notice must be presented to the DOT examiner during the physical.
To drive commercial vehicles, you must keep track of your blood sugar levels while you’re on the road. Additionally, you must be fully aware of any side effects from your medications used to treat diabetes along with any other conditions you may have.
If you require insulin to control your blood sugar levels, you need to bring in your lab work from the last four months to show at your DOT physical exam. This shows that you have insulin-treated diabetes and that you are properly managing this condition. Your lab work should include fasting blood glucose and HGA1C levels.
When your doctor prescribes insulin to manage diabetes, you need to be using it for a minimum of three months before you take this medical exam.
Tips for How to Manage Diabetes to Stay in Normal Range for the Test
When you have health problems such as diabetes, certain conditions must be kept under control. Before you head to this examination in the coming months, address your concerns with any signs or symptoms of diabetes with your own doctor to get ahead and manage it. Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t pass this test, but you will need to show you’re taking care of yourself.
These tips can help you meet the diabetes standards of the DOT. You’ll be able to find more through the Federal Diabetes Exemption Program.
Pay Attention to Your Blood Sugar
The first step is to monitor your blood sugar. High blood sugar must be under control. The tests your healthcare professional conducts should measure glucose rather than just considering fasting blood sugar. When you are consistent with managing excess sugars, it will keep your health on track and make it easier to pass for your certification.
Have a Stable Insulin Regimen
Controlling insulin levels is important for any diabetic, especially one who is driving a semi-truck or other commercial truck. Unless you have proliferative diabetic retinopathy that impacts your vision, insulin-treated diabetes mellitus can usually be cleared for a CDL when you are managing excess sugar. You should also prepare for low blood sugar events with glucose tablets that can keep you balanced.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is great for your health in many ways, and can serve to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. Since trucking leads to a sedentary lifestyle, making time for exercise each day will not only help you handle diabetes but will also improve all your health metrics.
Make Smart Lifestyle Choices
The lifestyle changes you make now can help lessen the chance that you’ll experience symptoms from diabetes. One of the best changes to make involves your diet. When you fill your diet with wholesome, fresh foods to replace processed foods loaded with sugar, your blood sugar levels will naturally lower.
Work with Your Doctor to Determine the Best Way to Manage Your Diabetes
If you dream of obtaining your CDL, you need to keep your health in check. Interstate commerce is a draining job for other drivers, but when you have diabetes, the need to take care of yourself is even more dire.
Diabetes can affect your energy. When it’s not properly managed, it could cause serious issues that can put everyone on the road in danger. This test may mean that you need to go back and get your diabetes under control first, but diabetes itself shouldn’t stand in the way of your dreams.
With regular checkups and methods of control, you will have the ability to lead the way for other truckers with diabetes. If you want to obtain comprehensive support as you work towards DOT compliance and your CDL, Simplex Group can help. We can help you navigate these requirements and get you on the road to success. If you’re driven to a career on the road, choose our services to help you meet these metrics and get on the right path with your health and trucking.