Can I Get an FAA medical certificate with a DUI?
The short answer is yes, you may get medically certified even with a DUI history. Having a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) on your record does not automatically disqualify you from obtaining an FAA medical certificate. But the details matter. A lot.
One of the most important documents I review when evaluating a pilot with a DUI history is the police report, particularly the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) recorded at the time of the incident.
Your BAC Makes a Big Difference
If you have a history of a single DUI with a BAC of 0.149 or lower, your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) may be able to issue your medical certificate, provided you meet the FAA's documentation requirements and there are no other disqualifying factors.
This is not something I recommend walking into an AME's office unprepared for. There is a fair amount of paperwork involved, including obtaining your driving records for the past 10 years. It usually takes some communication between you and your AME before the examination. Ask your AME if an unofficial consultation is offered so that you can be prepared for the official exam.
If your BAC was 0.15 or higher, your BAC is unknown, or you refused alcohol testing, the process becomes more complicated. Your AME generally must defer the application to the FAA for further review. That means your medical certificate cannot be issued at the examination, and the outcome is less certain.
Don't Forget to Report Your DUI to the FAA
Here's something many pilots don't realize: If your driver's license is suspended because of a DUI, you must report it to the FAA within 60 days of the suspension taking effect.
This is a separate reporting requirement under 14 CFR § 61.15, and it is not handled by your AME or the FAA's Aerospace Medicine division. Instead, the notification goes to the FAA's Security and Intelligence Organization.
You can submit the report using the FAA's Online Notification Letter.
And here's another important detail: If you are subsequently convicted of the DUI, you must submit another notification within 60 days of the conviction, even if you already reported the license suspension.
Don't assume that reporting your DUI on your FAA medical application fulfills this separate obligation. It doesn't.
What I Recommend to My Pilots
When I work with an appliocant who has a DUI history, I like to include at least one laboratory test demonstrating no recent alcohol use, even when the FAA does not specifically require it at that stage.
Why? Because I've seen the FAA request additional alcohol testing with as little as 48 hours' notice. Getting appropriate testing done ahead of time may help avoid a last-minute scramble, although it does not guarantee that the FAA won't request more testing.
My Advice: Don't Risk Another DUI
If you have already had one DUI, my advice is simple: Don't drink again.
You have a lot to lose, particularly if flying is your career or something you hope to pursue professionally. A second alcohol-related incident can make FAA medical certification substantially more difficult (and expensive).
And if you have multiple DUIs? The path to medical certification becomes much murkier. Certification may still be possible in some cases, but expect a significantly more involved evaluation.
The bottom line: A single DUI does not necessarily end your flying career. But being prepared, being honest about your history, fulfilling your FAA reporting obligations, and working with your AME before your examination can make a tremendous difference.
Have a DUI History and Need an FAA Medical?
If you have a DUI history and are unsure how it may affect your FAA medical certification, I recommend speaking with an AME before submitting your MedXPress application. As a Senior AME and HIMS AME, I can help you understand the documentation requirements and the next steps.
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