Time to Check Medical Cards
We’ve been noticing that some health care providers are not completing medical cards correctly, and drivers are being put out of service as a result. If the “Qualified by operation of 49 CFR 391.64” box is checked off, the Doctor is indicating that the driver has been issued a medical card because he (or she) has obtained a waiver for diabetes or vision impairment. If this box is checked off and your driver does not have the appropriate waiver with him (or her) he (or she) will be put out of service and will not be permitted to drive. Ask your drivers to review their medical cards closely when their health care provider signs off on them so a problem can be corrected on the spot. If your driver has no restrictions, none of the boxes on the front of the card should be checked off. If one of your drivers is stopped and put out of service for this reason, the issuing doctor will need to explain the error in a letter included with your response to the Out of Service Order. A Data Q’s correction may also need to be filed so that your company SafeStat score is not affected by the Out of Service order.