Diabetes and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver
As a reminder, due to the progressive nature of the disease, recertification is recommended annually for drivers.7 Nevertheless, it is reassuring that the DOT has implemented safeguards designed to keep our citizens safe while travelling the highways and byways of the United States.
Given the patient’s elevated glucose, more information is needed to safely provide clearance for driving a CMV. The patient would be disqualified until he could provide documentation of glucose control. Therefore, this patient would benefit from a referral to his primary care provider to obtain a list of medications used to manage his disease, documentation of an A1C level <10% and no evidence of complications from diabetes, and a written opinion from the primary care provider indicating the driver is medically fit for duty. Accordingly, the primary care provider can ensure the patient demonstrates compliance in managing diabetes and can safely operate a CMV.
