Posted by Bird Watcher on July 14, 2008 at 20:25:57:

In Reply to: Need for new apnea driver policy posted by Captin Cannuck on July 13, 2008 at 17:31:09:

In the US, driving regulations with regard to medical conditions are dictated by the individual states. There is no national policy, per say. What happens varies from state to state. Most states, as I understand it, will require individuals who test positive for apnea to be treated, although follow up testing is somewhat unclear. My further understanding is that the doctor is the one who is required by law to get the ball rolling. If the person does not wish to start CPAP, the doctor has to report that person to the DMV in that state, and the person could lose their driving priviledges.

I have no idea how the system works in Canada, but this 'amnesty' you speak of is pretty much the policy already in the US (each state). If you get on CPAP, you can normally keep your license with nothing said. Commercial licenses get into some more paperwork, because a person has to pass a physical to have a valid CDL. Passing the physical is not only a doctor's check, but an application. If states very clearly on these applicatioins that you cannot lie about medical conditions and they have to be disclosed. A further complication is that many trucking companies have even more strict requirements and disclosers than walk-in clinics where these physicals are often given.

The best way to have apnea and be a commercial driver is to look like you're relatively in shape, since questions may not be asked if such is the situation. There is a certain level of obesity people get themselves into in which passing some paperwork is the least of their problems. The system has to work to keep unsafe drivers off the road.

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