Cdl Physical Examination Form (Page 7 of 8) in pdf

Once the individual has been diagnosed as having

often underlie physical disorders. A variety of functional

Hearing: 391.41(b)(11)

rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular,

A person is physically qualified to drive

disorders can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion,

a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

neuromuscular or vascular disease, then he/she has

weakness or paralysis that may lead to incoordination,

First perceives a forced whispered voice in the

an established history of that disease. The

inattention, loss of functional control and susceptibility to

better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the

physician, when examining an individual, should

accidents while driving. Physical fatigue, headache,

use of a hearing aid, or, if tested by use of an

impaired coordination, recurring physical, ailments and

consider the following: (1) the nature and severity of

audiometric device, does not have an average

chronic “nagging” pain may be present to such a degree

the individual’s condition (such as sensory loss or loss of

hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40

that certification for commercial driving is inadvisable.

strength); (2) the degree of limitation present

decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz with or

Somatic and psychosomatic complaints should be

(such as range of motion); (3) the likelihood of

without a hearing aid when the audiometric device

thoroughly examined when determining an individual’s

progressive limitation (not always present initially but

is calibrated to American National Standard

overall fitness to drive. Disorders of a periodically

may manifest itself over time); and (4) the likelihood

(formerly ASA Standard) 224.5-1951

incapacitating nature, even in the early stages of

of sudden incapacitation. If severe functional

Since the prescribed standard under the

development, may warrant disqualification.

impairment exists, the driver does not qualify. In

FMCSRs is the American Standards Association

Many bus and truck drivers have documented

cases where more frequent monitoring is required, a

(ANSI), it may be necessary to convert the

that “nervous trouble” related to neurotic, personality,

certificate for a shorter time period may be issued.

audiometric results from the ISO standard to the

emotional or adjustment problems is responsible for a

NOTE: See Conference on Neurological Disorders

ANSI standard. Instructions are included on the

significant fraction of their preventable accidents. The

and

Commercial

Drivers

at:

Medical Examination report form.

degree to which an individual is able to appreciate,

If an individual meets the criteria by

evaluate and adequately respond to environmental strain

using a hearing aid, the driver must wear that

and emotional stress is critical when assessing an

Epilepsy: 391.41(b)(8)

hearing aid and have it in operation at all times

individual’s mental alertness and flexibility to cope with the

A person is physically qualified to

while driving. Also, the driver must be in

stresses of commercial motor vehicle driving.

drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

possession of a space power source for the hearing

When examining the driver, it should be kept in

Has no established medical history or clinical

aid.

mind that individuals who live under chronic emotional

diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is

For the whispered voice test, the

upsets may have deeply ingrained maladaptive or erratic

likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of

individual should be stationed at least 5 feet from

behavior patterns. Excessively antagonistic, instinctive,

ability to control a motor vehicle.

the examiner with the ear being tested turned

impulsive, openly aggressive, paranoid or severely

Epilepsy is a chronic functional disease

toward the examiner. The other ear is covered.

depressed behavior greatly interfere with the driver’s ability

characterized by seizures or episodes that occur

Using the breath which remains after a normal

to drive safely. Those individuals who are highly

without warning, resulting in loss of voluntary control

expiration, the examiner whispers words or random

susceptible to frequent states of emotional instability

which may lead to loss of consciousness and/or

numbers such as 66, 18, 23, etc. The examiner

(schizophrenia, affective psychoses, paranoia, anxiety or

seizures. Therefore, the following drivers cannot be

should not use only sibilants (s-sounding test

depressive neuroses) may warrant disqualification.

qualified: (1) a driver who has a medical history of

materials). The opposite ear should be tested in

Careful consideration should be given to the side effects

epilepsy; (2) a driver who has a current clinical

the same manner. If the individual fails the

and interactions of medications in the overall qualification

diagnosis of epilepsy; or (3) a driver who is taking

whispered voice test, the audiometric test should be

determination. See Psychiatric Conference Report for

anti-seizure medication.

administered.

specific recommendations on the use of these medications

If an individual has had a sudden episode

If an individual meets the criteria by the

and potential hazards for driving.

of a non-epileptic seizure or loss of consciousness of

use of a hearing aid, the following statement must

NOTE: See Conference on Psychiatric Disorders and

unknown cause which did not require anti-seizure

appear on the Medical Examiner’s Certification “

Commercial

Drivers

at:

medication, the decision as to whether that person’s

Qualified only when wearing a hearing aid”.

condition will likely cause loss of consciousness or

NOTE: See Hearing Disorders and Commercial

loss of ability to control a motor vehicle is made on

M o t o r

Ve h i c l e

D r i v e r s

a t :

Vision: 391.41(b)(10)

an individual basis by the medical examiner in

A person is physically qualified to drive a

consultation with the treating physician. Before

commercial motor vehicle if that person:

certification is considered, it is suggested that a 6

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

month waiting period elapse from the time of the

Drug Use 391.41(b)(12)

eye with or without corrective lenses or visual acuity

episode. Following the waiting period, it is

A person is physically qualified to drive

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

suggested that the individual have a complete

a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

corrective lenses, distance binocular acuity of at least

neurological examination. If the results of the

Does not use a controlled substance identified in 21

20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective

examination are negative and anti-seizure

CFR 1308.11. Schedule 1, an amphetamine, a

lenses, field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the

medication is not required, then the driver may be

narcotic, or any other habit -forming drug.

horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to

qualified.

Exception: A driver may use such a substance or

recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing

In those individual cases where a driver

drug, if the substance or drug is prescribed by a

standard red, green and amber.

has a seizure or an episode of loss of consciousness

licensed medical practitioner who is familiar with

The term “ability to recognize the colors of” is

that resulted from a known medical condition (e.g.

the driver’s medical history and assigned duties;

interpreted to mean if a person can recognize and

drug reaction, high temperature, acute infectious

and has advised the driver that the prescribed

distinguish among traffic control signals and devices

disease, dehydration or acute metabolic

substance or drug will not adversely affect the

showing standard red, green and amber, he or she meets

disturbance), certification should be deferred until the

driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial motor

the minimum standards, even though he or she may have

driver has fully recovered from that condition and has

vehicle.

some type of color perception deficiency. If certain color

no existing residual complications, and not taking

This exception does not apply to

perception tests are administered, (such as Ishihara,

anti-seizure medication.

methadone. The intent of the medical certification

Pseudoisochromatic, Yarn) and doubtful findings are

D r i v e r s

w i t h

h i s t o r y

o f

process is to medically evaluate a driver to ensure

discovered, a controlled test using signal red, green and

e p i l e p s y / seizures off anti-seizure medication and

that the driver has no medical condition which

amber may be employed to determine the driver’s ability to

seizure-free for 10 years may be qualified to drive a

interferes with the safe performance of driving tasks

recognize these colors.

CMV in interstate commerce. Interstate drivers with

on a public road. If a driver uses a Schedule I drug

Contact lenses are permissible if there is

a history of a single unprovoked seizure may be

or other substance, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or

sufficient evidence to indicate that the driver has good

qualified to drive a CMV and interstate commerce if

any other habit-forming drug, it may be cause for

tolerance and is well adapted to their use. Use of a

seizure-free and off anti-seizure medication for a 5

the driver to be found medically unqualified. Motor

contact lens in one eye for distance visual acuity and

year period or more.

carriers are encouraged to obtain a practitioner’s

another lens in the other eye for near vision is not

NOTE: See Conference on Neurological Disorders

written

statement

about

the

effects

acceptable, nor are telescopic lenses acceptable for

and

Commercial

Drivers

at:

transportation safety of the use of a particular drug.

the driving of commercial motor vehicles.

A test for controlled substances is not

If an individual meets the criteria by the use of

required as part of this biennial certification

glasses or contact lenses, the following statement shall

Mental Disorders: 391.41(b)(9)

process. The FMCSA or the driver’s employer

appear on the Medical Examiner’s Certificate: “Qualified

A person is physically qualified to drive a

should be contacted directly for information on

only if wearing corrective lenses”.

commercial motor vehicle if the person:

controlled substances and alcohol testing under

CMV drivers who do not meet the Federal

Has no mental, nervous, organic or functional

Part 382 of the FMCSRs.

vision standard may call (202) 366-1790 for an application

disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with

The term “uses” is designed to

for a vision exemption.

the ability to drive a motor vehicle safely.

encompass instances of prohibited drug use

NOTE: See Visual Disorders and Commercial Drivers at:

Emotional or adjustment problems

determined by a physician through established

contribute directly to an individual’s level of memory,

reasoning, attention and judgment. These problems

Cdl Physical Examination Form Page 7

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories