Suboxone in Commercial Drivers

Last updated Feb 6, 2020 at 6:15AM | Published on Apr 14, 2014 | DOT Exams

I was wondering about the patients who currently take Suboxone. I practice in an area where drug abuse is epidemic. I know methadone users are disqualified but was also wondering about Suboxone. I am uncomfortable with the thought of any of these substances being taken by drivers….but also don’t want to be prejudicial. I can’t find any information on this particular substance.

FMCSA does not specifically address Suboxone (buprenorphine).  It is used for chronic opioid addiction, similar to Methadone.  At the time FMCSA determined that Methadone is disqualifying, it was the only drug used to treat chronic opioid addiction.  Within this context, Suboxone would generally be considered similar to Methadone as a treatment for chronic opioid addiction, which is disqualifying according to FMCSA.

 

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49 Comments

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  1. Eli
    Eli on August 5, 2020 at 10:53 am

    I was told methadone is no longer an automatic disqualifier is this true?

    Reply
    • lawrence earl
      lawrence earl on August 5, 2020 at 11:04 am

      It was never an automatic disqualifier but guidance has been to disqualify and most examiners will determine the driver is not qualified on Methadone.

      Reply
  2. Rick
    Rick on June 12, 2020 at 9:00 am

    I have a driver that was hired on 4 years ago. He didn’t list suboxone on his list of meds. Recently after getting his new physical I show that he has listed it on his list of meds now. Advice?

    Reply
    • lawrence earl
      lawrence earl on June 12, 2020 at 4:11 pm

      It is up to the certified medical examiner to decide if a driver may be cleared on Suboxone. A driver may be disqualified for not disclosing pertinent medical history including all medications.

      Reply
  3. William
    William on June 11, 2020 at 11:39 am

    I am a Navy veteran and am prescribed buprenorphine naloxone sublingual for pain. Am I unqualified for CDL because of it?

    Reply
    • lawrence earl
      lawrence earl on June 11, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      William, asked and answered many times – see all the other reponses.

      Reply
  4. Eric
    Eric on May 29, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    Hello my name is Eric and I have been on suboxone for 5+ years and have the opportunity to have my class B CDL license paid for by a company I recently started at. Reading all the reviews have gotten me scared because I figured as long as my Dr prescribed it I’d be ok. Well now it’s not looking good. So my question is that is it possible with this major opiate epidemic and suboxone being a life saver and great treatment, to find away to try to pass a law or a study somewhere that would allow suboxone use while driving? Like make us suboxone users go through extra training etc. Etc. And Dr. are you able to help us addicts accomplish this or at least attempt to help us make a living? Please and thank you

    Reply
    • lawrence earl
      lawrence earl on May 29, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      Suboxone is not an automatic disqualifier. It is up to the examiner to determine an individual driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle.

      Reply
      • austin swarner
        austin swarner on June 18, 2020 at 8:17 am

        I live in TN and doctor told me yesterday that suboxne automatically disqualify you from medical card he would not recertify mine all other places I have called has said same thing…have had it for 5 years

        Reply
    • Eli
      Eli on August 5, 2020 at 10:52 am

      Did you end up getting your dot card? I’m going through the same thing and have a physical tomorrow.

      Reply
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