Cdl Physical Examination Form (Page 5 of 8) in pdf

examiner in light of the driver’s job responsibilities,

49 CFR 391.41

diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin

work schedule and potential for the condition to

Physical Qualifications for Drivers

for control;

render the driver unsafe.

4) Has no current clinical diagnosis of myocardial

Medical conditions should be recorded

THE DRIVER’S ROLE

infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency,

Responsibilities,

work

schedules,

even if they are not cause for denial, and they

thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a

physical and emotional demands, and lifestyles

should be discussed with the driver to encourage

variety known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea,

among commercial drivers vary by the type of

appropriate remedial care.

This advice is

collapse, or congestive cardiac failure.

driving that they do. Some of the main types of

especially needed when a condition, if neglected,

5) Has no established medical history or clinical

drivers include the following: turn around or short

could develop into a serious illness that could

diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere

relay (drivers return to

their home base each

affect driving.

with his ability to control and drive a commercial motor

evening); long relay (drivers drive 9-11 hours and

If the medical examiner determines that

vehicle safely.

then have at least a 10

hour off-duty period),

the driver is fit to drive and is also able to perform

6) Has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood

straight through haul (cross country drivers); and

non-driving responsibilities as may be required,

pressure likely to interfere with his ability to operate a

team drivers (drivers

share the driving by

commercial motor vehicle safely.

the medical examiner signs the medical certificate

alternating their 5-hour driving periods and 5-hour

7) Has no established medical history or clinical

which the driver must carry with his/her license.

rest periods).

diagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular,

The certificate must be dated. Under current

The following factors may be involved in

neuromuscular, or vascular disease which interferes with

regulations, the certificate is valid for 2 years,

a driver’s performance of duties: abrupt schedule

his ability to control and operate a commercial motor

unless the driver has a medical condition that

changes and rotating work schedules, which may

vehicle safely.

does not prohibit driving but does require more

result in irregular sleep patterns and a driver

8) Has no established medical history or clinical

frequent monitoring. In such situations, the

beginning a trip in a fatigued condition; long hours;

diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely

medical certificate should be issued for a shorter

extended time away from family and friends, which

to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to

length of time. The physical examination should

may result in lack of social support; tight pickup and

control a commercial motor vehicle.

be done carefully and at least as complete as

delivery schedules, with irregularity in work, rest,

9) Has no mental, nervous, organic, or functional

indicated by the attached form. Contact the

and eating patterns,

adverse road , weather and

disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with his

FMCSA at (202) 366-1790 for further information

traffic conditions, which may cause delays and lead

ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle safely.

(a vision exemption, qualifying drivers under 49

to hurriedly loading or unloading cargo in order to

10) Has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen)

CFR 391.64, etc).

compensate for the lost time; and environmental

in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity

conditions such as excessive vibration, noise, and

separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with

Interpretation of Medical Standards

extremes in temperatures. Transporting passengers

corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40

Since the issuance of the regulations for

or hazardous materials may add to the demands on

(Snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective lenses,

physical qualifications for commercial drivers, the

the commercial driver.

field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

There may be duties in addition to the

meridian in each eye, and the ability to recognize the

(FMCSA) has published recommendations called

driving task for which a driver is responsible and

colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard

Advisory Criteria to help medical examiners in

needs to be fit. Some of these responsibilities are:

red, green and amber.

determining whether a driver meets the physical

coupling and uncoupling trailer(s) from the tractor;

11) First perceives a forced whispered voice in the

qualifications for commercial driving. These

loading and unloading trailer(s) (sometimes a driver

better ear not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a

recommendations have been condensed to

may lift a heavy load or unload as much as 50,000

hearing aid, or, if tested by use of an audiometric device,

provide information to medical examiners that (1)

pounds of freight after sitting for a long period of

does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear

is directly relevant to the physical examination and

time without any stretching period); inspecting the

greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000

(2) is not already included in the medical

operating condition of tractor and trailer(s) before,

Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric

examination form. The specific regulation is

during, and after delivery of cargo; lifting, installing

device is calibrated to American National Standard

printed in italics and its reference by section is

and removing heavy tire chains; and lifting heavy

(formerly ASA Standards) 224.5-1951.

highlighted.

tarpaulins to cover open top trailers. The above

12) (i) Does not use a controlled substance identified in

tasks demand agility, the ability to bend and stoop,

21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic,

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

the ability to maintain a

crouching

position to

or any other habit-forming drug. (ii) Exception: A driver

-Advisory Criteria-

inspect the underside of the vehicle, frequent

may use such a substance or drug, if the substance or

entering and exiting of the cab, and the ability to

drug is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner who:

Loss of Limb: 391.41(b)(1)

climb ladders on the tractor and/or trailer(s).

(A) Is familiar with the driver’s medical history and

A person is physically qualified to drive

In addition, a driver must have the

assigned duties; and (B) has advised the driver that the

a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

perceptual skill to monitor a sometimes complex

prescribed substance or drug will not adversely affect the

Has no loss of a foot, leg, hand or an arm, or has

driving situation, the judgment skills to make quick

driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial motor

been granted a Skill Performance Evaluation

decisions, when necessary, and the manipulative

vehicle.

skills to control an oversize steering wheel, shift

(SPE) Certificate pursuant to Section 391.49.

13) Has no current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.

gears using a manual transmission, and maneuver a

For further information, see INSTRUCTIONS TO

vehicle in crowded areas.

Limb Impairment: 391.41(b)(2)

MEDICAL EXAMINER included in this form.

A person is physically qualified to drive

391.41 PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION FOR

a commercial motor vehicle if that person: Has no

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER

DRIVERS

i m p a i r m e n t o f . , ( i ) A h a n d o r f i n g e r w h i c h

interferes with prehension or power grasping; or

General Information

a) A person shall not drive a commercial motor

(ii) An arm, foot, or leg which interferes with the

The purpose of this examination is to determine a driver’s

vehicle unless he is physically qualified to do so

ability to perform normal tasks associated with

physical qualification to operate a commercial motor

and, except as provided in

391.67, has on his

operating a commercial motor vehicle; or (iii) Any

vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce according to the

person the original, or a photographic copy, of a

other significant limb defect or limitation which

requirements in 49 CFR 391.41-49. Therefore, the medical

medical examiner’s certificate that he is physically

interferes with the ability to perform normal tasks

examiner must be knowledgeable of these requirements

qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

associated with operating a commercial motor

and guidelines developed by the FMCSA to assist the

b) A person is physically qualified to drive a motor

vehicle; Perform normal tasks associated with

medical examiner in making the qualification

vehicle if that person:

operating a commercial motor vehicle; or (iv) Has

determination. The medical examiner should be familiar

1) Has no loss of a foot, a leg, a hand, or an arm,

been granted a Skill Performance Evaluation

with the driver’s responsibilities and work environment and

or has been granted a Skill Performance Evaluation

Certificate pursuant to Section 391.49.

is referred to the section on the form. The Driver’s Role.

(SPE) Certificate (formerly Limb Waiver Program)

A person who suffers loss of a foot, leg,

In addition to reviewing the Health History section

pursuant to 391.49.

hand or arm or whose limb impairment in any way

with the driver and conducting the physical examination,

2) Has no impairment

of; (i) A hand or finger

interferes with the safe performance of normal

the medical examiner should discuss common

which interferes with prehension or power grasping;

tasks associated with operating a commercial

prescriptions and over-the-counter medications relative to

or (ii) An arm, foot, or leg which interferes with the

motor vehicle is subject to the Skill Performance

the side effects and hazards of these medications while

ability to perform normal tasks associated with

Evaluation (SPE) Certification Program pursuant

driving. Educate driver to read warning labels on all

operating a commercial motor vehicle; or any other

to Section 391.49, assuming the person is

medications. History of certain conditions may be cause

significant limb defect or limitation which interferes

for rejection, particularly if required by regulation, or may

otherwise qualified.

with the ability to perform normal tasks associated

indicate the need for additional laboratory tests or more

With the advancement of technology,

with operating a commercial motor vehicle; or has

stringent examinations perhaps by a medical specialist.

been granted a SPE Certificate pursuant to 391.49.

medical aids and equipment modifications have

These decisions are usually made by the medical

3) Has no established medical history or clinical

b e e n d e v e l o p e d t o c o m p e n s a t e f o r c e r t a i n

Cdl Physical Examination Form Page 5

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