WHAT ABOUT INSULIN-TREATED DIABETES?

Commercial drivers with insulin-treated diabetes must have this form completed by their treating clinicians no more than 45 days prior to examination by a certified medical examiner (CME). A Medical Examiner’s Certificate can’t be issued to the driver without this form.

An individual with Non-Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus can be

certified for 2 years maximum, if they are WITHOUT a history of

hypoglycemia episodes for the past 12 months or a history of

seizure, loss of consciousness, coma or need of assistance from

another person in the last 5 years.

The process for the certification of the driver with Insulin-Treated

Diabetes Mellitus starts with The Treating Clinician, defined as

the healthcare professional who manages, and prescribes insulin

for, the treatment of the driver’s diabetes. 

Drivers with Insulin- treated diabetes mellitus must provide to the treating clinician at least the preceding 3 months of electronic blood

glucose self-monitoring records while being treated with insulin

to be eligible for the maximum 12-month certification. The

treating clinician must complete the Insulin-Treated Diabetes

Mellitus Assessment Form, MCSA- 5870, Insulin-Treated

Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form MCSA-5870.pdf (283.65 KB)

attesting that the driver maintains a stable insulin regimen and

proper control of diabetes. Upon completion of this form, the

treating clinician must sign and date the Form and provide

his or her full name, office address, and telephone number

on the Form. The certified medical examiner must receive the

form and begin the medical examination no later than 45 days

after the date on the signed form; however, the medical

certification determination does not need to be completed within

45 days. The Medical Examiner must retain this form as part of

the Medical Examination Report Form.

The medical examiner, utilizing his or her independent medical

judgment, determines whether the driver meets the physical

qualification standards in 49CFR391.41 to operate a commercial

motor vehicle. The driver is not physically qualified to operate a

commercial motor vehicle if he or she is not maintaining a stable

insulin regimen and not properly controlling his or her diabetes.

The driver with Insulin-treated diabetes mellitus may be

certified for up to a maximum of 12 months, meaning an

annual or more frequent exam by a certified medical examiner.

If a driver does not provide the 3 months of records, the

medical examiner has discretion to grant the driver up to but

not more than a 3-month certification, to allow time for the

individual to collect the necessary records. Once the

individual has 3 months of blood glucose self-monitoring records,

the individual is treated the same as an ITDM driver with 3

months of records. 

For additional information, please visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.