FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL? Sleep Apnea Testing for CDL Drivers
It's now easier than ever to get tested and treated for sleep apnea so you can get back on the road.
By Ngozika Orjioke, MD
Covenant Pulmonary Critical Care
If you're a commercial driver - whether a trucker, school-bus operator or MARTA operator – staying awake and alert is part of your job. But what if obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is sabotaging your rest and putting safety at risk?
Many CDL drivers don't realize they’re living with sleep apnea, a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing during sleep. This can lead to insufficient rest, daytime fatigue, slower reaction times, and worst of all – sleeping behind the wheel.
That’s why the Department of Transportation (DOT) now requires certain CDL holders to undergo sleep apnea testing as part of their DOT physical.
At Covenant Pulmonary Critical Care in metro Atlanta, we’re making it fast, easy, and DOT-compliant with our home sleep test, designed specifically for drivers who need reliable sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.
Why Sleep Apnea Is a Road Hazard
Sleep apnea affects your ability to get restful, uninterrupted sleep. People with this condition stop breathing multiple times during the night, leading to low oxygen levels, fragmented sleep, and daytime drowsiness. Behind the wheel, that’s a dangerous combination.
In fact, drowsy driving is responsible for thousands of crashes every year. CDL drivers are especially at risk due to long hours and irregular schedules. And if you have a high body mass index (BMI) or a large neck size, you can be even more susceptible. The problem is that without treatment, sleep apnea not only jeopardizes your license – it could cost lives.
Drowsy driving is responsible for thousands of crashes every year. CDL drivers are especially at risk due to long hours and irregular schedules.
DOT Requirements for CDL Drivers
During your DOT medical exam, the examiner will screen for sleep apnea risk factors. Common red flags include: loud snoring, fatigue, high blood pressure, elevated BMI, and sleepiness.
If flagged, you’ll need a formal sleep study before your CDL can be issued or renewed. The good news is that you don’t have to go to a sleep lab, and you don’t have to take time off work.
Convenient Home Sleep Test from Covenant Pulmonary Critical Care
At Covenant Pulmonary Critical Care, we have launched a new Sleep and Diagnostics Division that offers a fully home-based sleep apnea evaluation program for drivers.
Learn more about our Sleep and Diagnostics Division.
Here’s how it works:
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Disposable home sleep test kit. You’ll receive a disposable home sleep test and download an app to your smartphone.
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Two nights of testing. Simply sleep with a small sensor on your finger for at least two nights.
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Automatic data upload. The device tracks key data like oxygen levels, snoring and airway movement. In the morning, your results are automatically uploaded.
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Board-certified physician review. Sleep specialists analyze the data and provide a comprehensive report that meets DOT medical requirements.
Simple Treatment with APAP, Home Delivered
If your home test confirms sleep apnea, we’ll ship an advanced APAP (automatic positive airway pressure) machine to your home. This device:
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Automatically adjusts pressure throughout the night
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Helps you sleep with fewer interruptions
Our team, led by board-certified pulmonologist Dr. Ngozika Orjioke, will walk you through the entire process and help you stay DOT-compliant. The test is covered by most insurance plans, with self-pay options available.
Stay Healthy, Keep Your CDL, and Drive Safely
Effective treatment for sleep apnea brings better sleep, increased daytime energy, and clearer concentration behind the wheel. Plus, you’ll have the documentation needed to complete your DOT certification – reducing downtime and safeguarding your job.
Ready to Get Tested?
If your DOT physical flagged a possible sleep issue, or if you’re constantly tired despite a full night’s sleep, don’t ignore the signs. We can help you get tested quickly and easily - right from home.
So you can rest easy, knowing you’re safe on the road.
COMING SOON: Online payments for CDL sleep evaluation and treatment.
Ngozika Orjioke, MD, FCCP, is a board-certified physician in Pulmonary and Critical Care in metro Atlanta. With more than 30 years of experience, she is devoted to helping her patients in the treatment of lung-related illnesses, such as asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, tobacco use disorder, HIV-related lung disease and more. She is committed to improving the health of her community, and provides exceptional and culturally sensitive care to every patient. She appears on the American Lung Association’s list of Trusted Organizations in the Black Community, and is ranked in the top 25 by U.S. News among 358 pulmonologists in Atlanta.