Under what condition should a driver with COPD NOT be certified?

A driver with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) should not be certified if they have hypoxemia at rest. Hypoxemia refers to an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood. For commercial drivers, maintaining adequate oxygenation is crucial since it directly impacts their ability to operate a vehicle safely. If a driver experiences low oxygen levels at rest, it indicates that their respiratory system is compromised, potentially leading to inadequate oxygen supply to the brain and muscles during driving. This could result in cognitive impairment or decreased physical ability, increasing the risk of accidents on the road.

In contrast, while uncontrolled asthma, history of seizures, and obesity can present challenges and may influence the safety of a driver's ability, they do not automatically disqualify a driver from certification in the same immediate and critical fashion as hypoxemia at rest does. Uncontrolled asthma can be managed with medication, history of seizures can be evaluated based on control measures, and obesity may impact overall health but does not necessarily imply immediate impairment unless accompanied by other serious health conditions.