Physical Qualification Standards and Advisory Criteria - Psychological Flashcards
Is there a waiting period if driver is on antidepressants?
No, but you should not certify driver until the medication has been shown to be adequate/effective, safe, and stable
Max certification for drivers on antidepressants
1 year, so long as …
- Nature/severity of underlying condition doesn’t interfere with safe driving
- Effects or side effects of med use during driving does not endanger the safety of driver and public
Do not certify a driver on antidepressants if…
They use a first gen antidepressant (TCAs - amitriptyline, imipramine)
They have treatment effects or side effects that interfere with safe driving
Max certification period for drivers on antipsychotics
1 year, so long as the side effects do no interfere with driving (ie motor dysfunction affecting coordination and response time, sedation, visual disturbances)
A driver on anxiolytics can be certified for 2 years if…
For hypnotic meds, the medication is short-acting (half-life less than 5h), lowest effective dose, used for a short period of time (less than two weeks)
Or if they are on a non-sedating anxiolytic
Can drivers on CNS stimulants be certified?
Yes, for 1 year if…
- Non-disqualifying underlying condition (ie adult ADHD)
- No drug-induced impairment
- No tendency to increase the dose
What about narcolepsy
Do not certify a driver who uses CNS stimulant to treat narcolepsy.
If a driver has had ECT, what is the waiting period?
6 months symptom free following course of ECT
Recommend to certify a driver after ECT if…
They have completed the 6 mo waiting period
Have had a comprehensive eval from an appropriate mental health professional
Is not currently undergoing maintenance ECT
Tolerates treatment without disqualifying side effects (ie sedation, impaired coordination)
Can a driver on lithium therapy be certified?
Yes, if they are asymptomatic, have lithium levels that are maintained in the therapeutic range, have no impairment that interferes with safe driving
Max certification period for adult ADHD
1 year so long as driver…
Complies w/ treatment program
Tolerates treatment without disqualifying side effects
Has been cleared by mental health professional
____ is a mild form of bipolar disorder that causes brief episodes of depression or elevated mood but typically does not cause marked impairment
Cyclothymia
Minimum waiting period for bipolar disorder
6 mo if symptom free following a nonpsychotic major depression unaccompanied by suicidal behavior
1 year symptom free following severe depressive episode, suicide attempt, or a manic episode
Max certification period for drivers with bipolar disorder
1 year, provided driver…
- Completes appropriate symptom-free waiting period
- Complies with treatment program
- Tolerates treatment w/o disqualifying side effects
- Clearance by mental health
Advise a certified driver with a major mood disorder to report any manic or severe major depressive episode within _____ of onset to the drivers employer, medical examiner, or appropriate mental health care profession and seek medical intervention
30 days
Full eval q2years
Waiting period for major depression
6 months symptom free following a nonpsychotic major depression unaccompanied by suicidal behavior
1 year symptom free following a severe depressive episode, a suicide attempt, or a manic episode
Max certification period for major depression
1 year
Max certification period for drivers with personality disorders
1 year, provided driver complies with treatment program, tolerates treatment w/o disqualifying side effects, and has clearance from mental health
Can you qualify a driver with schizophrenia?
Chronic schizophrenia should not be considered medically qualifed
Other related conditions (schizophreniform disorder, brief reactive psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder) may be considered
Waiting period for schizophrenia related conditions
6 mo symptom free if a brief reactive psychosis or schizophreniform disorder
1 year symptom free if any other psychotic disorder
May certify a driver with schizorelated disorders if
For 1 year if…
Completes appropriate waiting period Complies with treatment program Tolerates meds Psych eval No active psychosis or dx of schizophrenia or prominent negative symptoms
