Physical Qualification Standards and Advisory Criteria - Psychological

Question 1

Is there a waiting period if driver is on antidepressants?

Answer 1

No, but you should not certify driver until the medication has been shown to be adequate/effective, safe, and stable

Question 2

Max certification for drivers on antidepressants

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Do not certify a driver on antidepressants if…

Answer 3

They use a first gen antidepressant (TCAs - amitriptyline, imipramine)

They have treatment effects or side effects that interfere with safe driving

Question 4

Max certification period for drivers on antipsychotics

Answer 4

1 year, so long as the side effects do no interfere with driving (ie motor dysfunction affecting coordination and response time, sedation, visual disturbances)

Question 5

A driver on anxiolytics can be certified for 2 years if…

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Can drivers on CNS stimulants be certified?

Answer 6

Yes, for 1 year if…

• Non-disqualifying underlying condition (ie adult ADHD)
• No drug-induced impairment
• No tendency to increase the dose

Question 7

What about narcolepsy

Answer 7

Do not certify a driver who uses CNS stimulant to treat narcolepsy.

Question 8

If a driver has had ECT, what is the waiting period?

Answer 8

6 months symptom free following course of ECT

Question 9

Recommend to certify a driver after ECT if…

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

Can a driver on lithium therapy be certified?

Answer 10

Yes, if they are asymptomatic, have lithium levels that are maintained in the therapeutic range, have no impairment that interferes with safe driving

Question 11

Max certification period for adult ADHD

Answer 11

1 year so long as driver…

Complies w/ treatment program
Tolerates treatment without disqualifying side effects
Has been cleared by mental health professional

Question 12

____ is a mild form of bipolar disorder that causes brief episodes of depression or elevated mood but typically does not cause marked impairment

Answer 12

Cyclothymia

Question 13

Minimum waiting period for bipolar disorder

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Max certification period for drivers with bipolar disorder

Answer 14

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

30 days

Full eval q2years

Question 16

Waiting period for major depression

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Max certification period for major depression

Answer 17

1 year

Question 18

Max certification period for drivers with personality disorders

Answer 18

1 year, provided driver complies with treatment program, tolerates treatment w/o disqualifying side effects, and has clearance from mental health

Question 19

Can you qualify a driver with schizophrenia?

Answer 19

Chronic schizophrenia should not be considered medically qualifed

Other related conditions (schizophreniform disorder, brief reactive psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder) may be considered

Question 20

Waiting period for schizophrenia related conditions

Answer 20

6 mo symptom free if a brief reactive psychosis or schizophreniform disorder

1 year symptom free if any other psychotic disorder

Question 21

May certify a driver with schizorelated disorders if

Answer 21

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