It is the reality that many truck drivers live with medical conditions and health challenges. Through genetics, the environment, and other influences, people can end up with a variety of health concerns that they need to take care of. In the trucking world, having a health condition can make the role harder. 

Surprisingly, around 1 in 3 commercial truck drivers (28%) are believed to have sleep apnea, a serious concern for those who are regularly behind the wheel. Combined with other factors, like staying up later, working a swing shift-style schedule, or the access to healthy food or medical care on the road, can predispose you to drowsiness or even falling asleep behind the wheel. That’s why sleep apnea needs to be treated if you suspect you have it. 

Fortunately, this condition can be treated successfully in most cases. If you suspect it’s a cause of fatigue or exhaustion during the day, getting diagnosed and treated can help you improve your health and make you a safer driver. 

What Is Sleep Apnea, and Why Does It Matter?

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly throughout the night. This condition results in poor sleep quality, which can mean you’re drowsier during the day. 

For adults, the most common kind of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. 

Some of the characteristics of this condition include:

• Pauses in breathing
• Snoring when you sleep
• Being tired or exhausted during the day
• Waking up with a dry or sore throat
• Having headaches in the morning

The condition is harmful for many reasons, but specifically for the trucking industry, it opens up a greater risk of collisions from falling asleep behind the wheel, reduced reaction times, and other issues caused by sleep deprivation. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) has said that driver drowsiness is a contributing factor in many crashes, and those who don’t seek treatment may make critical mistakes on the road.

There is no single cause of sleep apnea, which is why it’s so important for those who want to be (or who are already) working as truck drivers to go through sleep studies and get tested. Common factors, such as obesity, being male, genetics, or getting older, can all play a role in sleep apnea’s development, so monitoring yourself for signs throughout your career is necessary.

What Happens If You Receive a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis?

To get a sleep apnea diagnosis, most people will need to see a medical provider for a sleep study. Following that study, a diagnosis may be made for OSA or another type of sleep apnea.

After you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may need to:

• Use a CPAP machine to help you breathe correctly while you sleep
• Address sleep apnea in other ways, such as through weight loss, the use of oral devices (like a mandibular advancement device (MAD)), or, in severe cases, surgery
• Bring a compliance report when you go to your next DOT physical 

With this condition, you’ll typically receive a DOT medical certification card that is issued for only a single year, not two. This reduced time is designed to ensure you’re maintaining all recommended treatments.

You may also need to follow up with your medical provider regularly to watch for signs of complications of previously untreated sleep apnea. For example, sleep apnea has been linked to:

• High blood pressure
• A higher risk of strokes
• The development of diabetes
• An increase in the risk of heart problems, like heart disease

These complications may also influence your ability to start or continue a career as a truck driver, so getting regular medical support and advice is the right approach to get yourself behind the wheel and to help yourself stay licensed.

FMCSA Guidelines and DOT Medical Requirements

The FMCSA doesn’t have specific regulations related to sleep apnea. However, they do say that if you have a clinical diagnosis of a condition that could interfere with your ability to drive safely, you won’t be considered “medically qualified” to drive. 

You will need to work with your doctor and reach out to the medical qualifying examiner to determine when you meet the qualifications to drive. You may be asked to complete tests such as a sleep study.

Does Sleep Apnea Disqualify You From Becoming a Truck Driver?

You won’t be automatically disqualified from getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL) or driving if you have sleep apnea. However, if the condition is diagnosed and you’re untreated, you could be temporarily disqualified from getting behind the wheel. 

Once you are successfully treated for the condition, you can regard your “medically-qualified-to-drive” status, which will be in line with the Department of Motor Vehicles regulations for your state.

Tips for Drivers With Sleep Apnea

The best way to deal with sleep apnea is to use the right medical equipment and to check in with your healthcare providers regularly. When you’re on the road, be sure you:

• Always bring your CPAP machine and record when it’s used
• Follow your treatment plan on days when you’re driving and on days when you’re off work
• Focus on your weight; losing even a small amount of weight can sometimes reduce sleep apnea and improve sleep quality
• Quit smoking, if you do. 
• Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol or sedatives.
• Talk with a DOT-trained sleep specialist about any questions you may have

By taking care of your sleep health, you’ll be more alert and a better driver. 

Your Dream Career With Pride

Sleep apnea can affect anyone, which is why we take it seriously at Pride Transport. We expect all our drivers to drive with care and attention to the road, and we ensure they are appropriately trained, licensed, and monitored for medical conditions that could put themselves or others at risk on the road. 

At Pride Transport, we believe in helping all our drivers succeed and have the tools they need to be the safest they can be. If you’re looking for a position with a company with over 40 years in the industry, explore our top truck driving jobs today. And, visit our blog for more on other important parts of working in this exciting industry.