Attention all companies that have drivers performing the following functions:

  1. School bus drivers driving under 19A NY State regulations that drive on an intrastate and interstate level.
  2. Bus drivers that perform driving under Federal DOT regulations as well as school bus driving functions under 19A NY State regulations.
We are all aware that some drivers will perform both DOT (transit) functions and 19A (school bus driver) functions.
There are instances where a school bus driver will be required to drive across state lines.
These individuals will be required to meet the medical requirements of both NY State 19A and Federal DOT physicals.
For these circumstances, a DOT physical AND a 19A physical will be performed.  A DOT card and a 19A physical form will be completed.
DIABETES GUIDELINES FOR DOT AND 19A PHYSICALS
  • The medical requirements are different for 19A and DOT physicals.
  • The DOT medical certification does not allow a driver to be an insulin dependent diabetic.  The driver is allowed to take oral medications to control diabetes.   The driver can be certified for 2 years.  A driver who is found to have diabetes at the time of the exam will be qualified for driving for two years once the diabetes is stabilized with diet and/or oral medication.
  • The 19A medical certification allows a driver to be treated for diabetes with either insulin or oral medications as long as the diabetes is stabilized and there are no hypoglycemic events.  A treating physician's note is required every 6 months stating that the diabetes is stable, in order to maintain the medical certification.
  • A driver may be medically qualified for school bus driver functions on an intrastate level, but not an interstate level since a DOT medical certification is also required if driving interstate.
  • A driver may be qualified for intrastate school bus driving functions but not DOT (transit) driving functions on an intrastate or interstate level.
Most other medical requirements are similar for DOT and 19A medical certification.  Please contact our office if there are questions about medical requirements.