The perfect gift this Valentine’s Day is the gift of heart health. Along with Valentine’s Day, February is also American Heart Month—a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. It is also a major cause of disability, preventing many Americans from working and enjoying family activities. Additionally, CVD costs the United States over $300 billion annually, including expenses for health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

Recognizing a Stroke

ometimes, the symptoms of a stroke can be difficult to identify. Unfortunately, this lack of awareness can lead to disaster, as stroke victims may suffer severe brain damage when those nearby fail to recognize the warning signs.

Doctors now say a bystander can identify a stroke by asking three simple questions:

str

S: Ask the individual to SMILE.
T: Ask the person to TALK and speak a simple, coherent sentence (e.g., "It is sunny out today").
R: Ask them to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If the person has difficulty with any of these tasks, call emergency services immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke
Another potential indicator of a stroke is to ask the person to stick out their tongue. If the tongue appears crooked or if it goes to one side, this could also be a sign of a stroke.

Question: What is the effect on commercial motor vehicle driver certification based on FMCSA hypertension stages?

Guidance:
CFR 391.41(b)(6): A driver diagnosed with hypertension and undergoing treatment must have at least an annual certification.

  • A CMV driver with a blood pressure (BP) reading of <140/90 may be certified for 2 years.

First-Time Elevated Blood Pressure:

  • Stage 1: BP 140–159/90–99
    Certification Period: 1 year
  • Stage 2: BP 160–179/100–109
    Certification Period: 3 months (one-time certification).
    • Within this 3-month period, if BP is reduced to <140/90, the driver may be certified for 1 year.
  • Stage 3: BP >180/110
    Disqualified.
    • Once BP is reduced to <140/90, the driver may be certified at 6-month intervals.

Do I need a CDL license to operate that truck?

driver

Answer:

The regulations addressing this question are found in FMCSA CFR 383.3:

§383.3 Applicability:
(a) The rules in this part apply to every person who operates a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate, foreign, or intrastate commerce, to all employers of such persons, and to all States.

Definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV):
A CMV is defined as a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if:
a) It has a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); or
b) It has a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more); or
c) It is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
d) It is of any size and used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. May a person operate a CMV wholly on private property, not open to public travel, without a CDL?
    Answer: Yes.

  2. Do mechanics, salespersons, shop helpers, and occasional drivers need a CDL if they are only test-driving a CMV?
    Answer: Yes, if the CMV is operated on a public street, road, or highway.

  3. I have moved. How long do I have to get my CDL license reissued by my new state of residence?
    Answer: 30 days.

  4. Do the regulations require a person driving an empty school bus for a test drive or transport to have a CDL?
    Answer: Yes, if the bus is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or if the bus has a GVWR exceeding 26,000 pounds. However, since the bus is empty, a passenger endorsement would not be required.

  5. A driver operates a tractor with a GVWR of exactly 26,000 pounds, towing a trailer with a GVWR of exactly 10,000 pounds (GCWR of 36,000 pounds). Hazardous materials and passengers are not involved. Is this a CMV, and does the driver need a CDL?
    Answer: No to both questions. Although the vehicle has a GCWR of 36,000 pounds, it does not meet the definition of a CMV under §383.5, and a CDL is not federally required.

DOT Establishes Oral Fluid Collection Guidelines

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released new guidelines for the collection of oral fluid samples as part of its drug testing program for transportation workers, including CDL drivers.

A new final rule, issued on May 2, 2023, allows motor carriers to use oral fluid testing instead of urine in DOT drug tests. However, this rule will not be implemented until the Department of Health and Human Services certifies at least two laboratories to test oral fluid samples.

As part of the rule, the DOT requires that individuals wishing to act as oral fluid collectors in the DOT drug testing program must, among other qualifications, be knowledgeable about the current “DOT Oral Fluid Specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines.”

The new guidelines provide detailed instructions for standard oral fluid collection procedures and address common challenges or situations that may arise during the collection process.