Safe Driving Clearance

Safe driving clearance is vital if you have to drive for your job and have a sleep disorder that causes concerning symptoms, such as excessive daytime sleepiness. At Restful Solutions in Duanesburg, New York, sleep and respiratory specialist Jodi Conlan, NP-C, and the team offer this service to ensure safe work-related driving. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation by calling the office or requesting one online today. 

What is safe driving clearance?

Safe driving clearance at Restful Solutions involves accurate diagnostics, symptom management, and treatments that ensure safe work-related driving ability and clearance for people with sleep disorders. This work-related clearance may be needed for jobs related to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Transportation (DOT), or commercial driving.

Who needs a safe driving clearance?

Candidates for a safe driving clearance include those who drive at work and struggle with one or more of the following sleep disorders:

• Sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
• Other sleep disorders
• Excessive daytime sleepiness

Symptoms of sleep disorders include fatigue, falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, waking up tired or with a dry mouth, loud snoring, or gasping for air during sleep. 

You might experience uncomfortable urges to move your legs or involuntary leg movements when lying down if you have a sleep related movement disorder, like RLS or PLMD. 

What happens during safe driving clearance evaluations?

During a safe driving clearance evaluation, you meet with a sleep specialist in person or virtually. They discuss your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle habits, medications, work-related driving obligations, and more.

You might need a physical exam, lab testing, or home sleep testing to diagnose potential sleep disorders or determine if a current treatment works effectively. Home sleep testing utilizes innovative WatchPAT® technology to monitor your breathing and other bodily functions while sleeping. 

Which treatments might I need to obtain safe driving clearance?

Restful Solutions provides an array of treatment options to allow for a successful safe driving clearance. They include the following:

• Lifestyle habit recommendations 
• Prescription medications
• Dietary advice
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) management
• Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) management
• Referral for an oral appliance
• Specialist referrals
• Surgery 

It’s helpful to establish a regular sleep schedule, exercise regularly, maintain an ideal body weight, eat nutritious foods, and minimize stress. Avoid late-night workouts, large meals, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine before bed. 

Your sleep specialist follows up to ensure any debilitating symptoms subside to complete safe driving clearance.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth safe driving clearance evaluation at Restful Solutions by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.