Alcohol Use Disorder and Your DOT Medical Card: What “Current Diagnosis” Means

If you drive a commercial vehicle or work in a DOT-regulated, safety-sensitive job, you already know you’re required to have a valid medical certificate. But if you've ever had issues with alcohol, you might be wondering:

Can I still be certified if I’ve been diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder?

Let’s clear up the confusion with the most up-to-date guidance.

What Do the Regulations Say?

For years, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has stated that:

A driver with a current diagnosis of alcoholism is not medically qualified.

But here's the challenge: the medical community no longer uses the term “alcoholism” as an official diagnosis. So what does this actually mean in today’s evaluations?

New Guidance Provides Clarity

The most recent update to medical examiner guidelines clarifies what a “current diagnosis” means. It applies when:

1. The driver has not achieved remission
2. The driver is still actively using alcohol
3. Their physical or medical condition is not stable

In simple terms: if someone is still drinking, relapsing frequently, or experiencing health instability due to alcohol use, that’s considered a current diagnosis—and would disqualify them from being medically certified.

What If I’m in Remission?

Here’s the good news: if you’re in stable remission, even with a past diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, the medical examiner can still certify you—assuming your condition is:

1. Stable
2. Well-managed
3. Not interfering with your ability to drive safely

Think of it like this: having a history of high blood pressure doesn’t disqualify you if it’s under control. The same principle applies here.

What’s the SAP’s Role?

Historically, the decision around alcohol use history has often involved a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). Many SAPs follow the same approach used under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): if someone is sober, stable, and managing their condition, it is not considered a current issue.

Now, medical examiner guidelines align with this view and provide clearer, more structured language. The focus is no longer on labels—it's on safety and stability.

What Drivers Should Know

If you’re a CDL holder with a history of alcohol use:

1. Be honest on your medical exam questionnaire
2. If you're in stable remission, you're still eligible for certification
3. You may be asked for documentation showing sobriety and medical stability

And if you’re referred to a SAP for evaluation, don’t panic. It’s not necessarily a disqualifier. It’s a step to make sure there’s a shared understanding of your readiness to return to safety-sensitive duties.

Final Word

“Current diagnosis of alcoholism” doesn’t mean you’ve had problems with alcohol in the past. It means you are currently experiencing unstable or uncontrolled alcohol use. If you’re in remission and on the path of recovery, you may still qualify for your DOT medical card.