NRCME - FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATION
VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS -
CURRENT VERSION (2026/2027)
NRCME — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Based on 49 CFR Part 391 and FMCSA Medical Examiner Advisory Criteria
1. Which federal agency administers the physical qualification standards for
commercial motor vehicle drivers?
A. FAA
B. FMCSA
C. NHTSA
D. DOT-OIG
Answer: B
Explanation: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) administers 49
CFR Part 391 physical qualification standards.
2. Under 49 CFR Part 391, which drivers are required to obtain a Medical
Examiner's Certificate?
A. All drivers with a CDL
B. Drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce
C. Any driver of a vehicle over 10,000 lbs
D. Only hazmat drivers
Answer: B
Explanation: Drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce must comply with FMCSA
medical certification requirements under 49 CFR 391.
3. What is the maximum duration of a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC)?
A. 1 year
, B. 18 months
C. 2 years
D. 3 years
Answer: C
Explanation: A Medical Examiner's Certificate is valid for a maximum of 24 months (2
years) per 49 CFR 391.45.
4. The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) was established
by:
A. FMCSA rulemaking only
B. MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act)
C. The NHTSA Safety Act
D. DOT Order 5930.2
Answer: B
Explanation: The NRCME was established by MAP-21 legislation and implemented
through FMCSA rulemaking under 49 CFR Part 390.
5. To be listed on the National Registry, a medical examiner must complete
FMCSA-approved training and:
A. Submit 10 driver records
B. Pass the FMCSA certification test
C. Complete a ride-along with a CMV driver
D. Hold a state medical license for 5 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Prospective medical examiners must complete approved training and pass
the FMCSA certification examination to be listed on the National Registry.
6. Which form is used to document the CMV driver physical examination?
A. MCSA-5875
B. MCSA-5876
C. MCSA-5850
D. FMCSA-7000
Answer: A
Explanation: Form MCSA-5875 is the Medical Examination Report Form used by
examiners to document CMV driver physical examinations.
7. The Medical Examiner's Certificate form number is:
A. MCSA-5875
B. MCSA-5876
C. MCS-150
, D. MCSA-5850
Answer: B
Explanation: MCSA-5876 is the Medical Examiner's Certificate issued to qualified CMV
drivers.
8. A driver found medically qualified receives a certificate valid for up to 2 years
UNLESS:
A. They have hypertension
B. The examiner determines a shorter monitoring period is needed
C. They are over age 65
D. They drive hazmat cargo
Answer: B
Explanation: The examiner may issue a certificate for less than 2 years when a medical
condition warrants more frequent monitoring.
9. Which of the following is NOT a standard minimum physical qualification under
49 CFR 391.41?
A. Vision of at least 20/40 in each eye
B. No current use of a Schedule I controlled substance
C. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes
D. Hearing a forced whispered voice at 5 feet
Answer: C
Explanation: The vision standard requires 20/40 in each eye with or without correction
— not 20/20. 20/20 is not required by FMCSA.
10. Under FMCSA regulations, which vision standard applies to CMV drivers?
A. 20/20 in each eye with correction
B. 20/40 in each eye with or without correction
C. 20/50 in better eye, 20/100 in worse
D. 20/40 in better eye only
Answer: B
Explanation: Drivers must have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without
corrective lenses per 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
Section 2: Vision
11. What is the minimum horizontal field of vision required for CMV drivers?
A. 50 degrees in each eye
B. 70 degrees in each eye
C. 90 degrees in each eye
, D. 120 degrees total
Answer: B
Explanation: CMV drivers must have horizontal field of vision of at least 70 degrees in
each eye per 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
12. A CMV driver who requires corrective lenses:
A. Is disqualified from CMV operation
B. Must wear them while driving
C. May drive without them if vision is 20/50
D. Needs a federal waiver for lens use
Answer: B
Explanation: If a driver requires corrective lenses to meet the vision standard, they must
wear them while driving and the certificate will note this requirement.
13. Color vision is tested in CMV driver exams primarily to assess ability to:
A. Read roadway maps accurately
B. Distinguish traffic signals and warning lights
C. Pass DOT hazmat requirements
D. Operate GPS navigation devices
Answer: B
Explanation: Color vision is assessed because drivers must be able to distinguish traffic
control signals and emergency vehicle warning lights.
14. A monocular driver (vision in one eye only):
A. Is automatically and permanently disqualified
B. May apply for a Federal Vision Exemption
C. May drive with a state waiver only
D. Must use a bioptic telescope system
Answer: B
Explanation: Monocular drivers do not meet the standard for each eye but may apply for
FMCSA's Federal Vision Exemption Program waiver.
15. Bioptic telescopic lenses are NOT acceptable for meeting FMCSA vision
standards for:
A. Intrastate CMV drivers
B. Interstate CMV drivers
C. Drivers under age 40
D. Drivers with corrected vision of 20/40
Answer: B
VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS -
CURRENT VERSION (2026/2027)
NRCME — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Based on 49 CFR Part 391 and FMCSA Medical Examiner Advisory Criteria
1. Which federal agency administers the physical qualification standards for
commercial motor vehicle drivers?
A. FAA
B. FMCSA
C. NHTSA
D. DOT-OIG
Answer: B
Explanation: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) administers 49
CFR Part 391 physical qualification standards.
2. Under 49 CFR Part 391, which drivers are required to obtain a Medical
Examiner's Certificate?
A. All drivers with a CDL
B. Drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce
C. Any driver of a vehicle over 10,000 lbs
D. Only hazmat drivers
Answer: B
Explanation: Drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce must comply with FMCSA
medical certification requirements under 49 CFR 391.
3. What is the maximum duration of a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC)?
A. 1 year
, B. 18 months
C. 2 years
D. 3 years
Answer: C
Explanation: A Medical Examiner's Certificate is valid for a maximum of 24 months (2
years) per 49 CFR 391.45.
4. The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) was established
by:
A. FMCSA rulemaking only
B. MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act)
C. The NHTSA Safety Act
D. DOT Order 5930.2
Answer: B
Explanation: The NRCME was established by MAP-21 legislation and implemented
through FMCSA rulemaking under 49 CFR Part 390.
5. To be listed on the National Registry, a medical examiner must complete
FMCSA-approved training and:
A. Submit 10 driver records
B. Pass the FMCSA certification test
C. Complete a ride-along with a CMV driver
D. Hold a state medical license for 5 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Prospective medical examiners must complete approved training and pass
the FMCSA certification examination to be listed on the National Registry.
6. Which form is used to document the CMV driver physical examination?
A. MCSA-5875
B. MCSA-5876
C. MCSA-5850
D. FMCSA-7000
Answer: A
Explanation: Form MCSA-5875 is the Medical Examination Report Form used by
examiners to document CMV driver physical examinations.
7. The Medical Examiner's Certificate form number is:
A. MCSA-5875
B. MCSA-5876
C. MCS-150
, D. MCSA-5850
Answer: B
Explanation: MCSA-5876 is the Medical Examiner's Certificate issued to qualified CMV
drivers.
8. A driver found medically qualified receives a certificate valid for up to 2 years
UNLESS:
A. They have hypertension
B. The examiner determines a shorter monitoring period is needed
C. They are over age 65
D. They drive hazmat cargo
Answer: B
Explanation: The examiner may issue a certificate for less than 2 years when a medical
condition warrants more frequent monitoring.
9. Which of the following is NOT a standard minimum physical qualification under
49 CFR 391.41?
A. Vision of at least 20/40 in each eye
B. No current use of a Schedule I controlled substance
C. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes
D. Hearing a forced whispered voice at 5 feet
Answer: C
Explanation: The vision standard requires 20/40 in each eye with or without correction
— not 20/20. 20/20 is not required by FMCSA.
10. Under FMCSA regulations, which vision standard applies to CMV drivers?
A. 20/20 in each eye with correction
B. 20/40 in each eye with or without correction
C. 20/50 in better eye, 20/100 in worse
D. 20/40 in better eye only
Answer: B
Explanation: Drivers must have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without
corrective lenses per 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
Section 2: Vision
11. What is the minimum horizontal field of vision required for CMV drivers?
A. 50 degrees in each eye
B. 70 degrees in each eye
C. 90 degrees in each eye
, D. 120 degrees total
Answer: B
Explanation: CMV drivers must have horizontal field of vision of at least 70 degrees in
each eye per 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
12. A CMV driver who requires corrective lenses:
A. Is disqualified from CMV operation
B. Must wear them while driving
C. May drive without them if vision is 20/50
D. Needs a federal waiver for lens use
Answer: B
Explanation: If a driver requires corrective lenses to meet the vision standard, they must
wear them while driving and the certificate will note this requirement.
13. Color vision is tested in CMV driver exams primarily to assess ability to:
A. Read roadway maps accurately
B. Distinguish traffic signals and warning lights
C. Pass DOT hazmat requirements
D. Operate GPS navigation devices
Answer: B
Explanation: Color vision is assessed because drivers must be able to distinguish traffic
control signals and emergency vehicle warning lights.
14. A monocular driver (vision in one eye only):
A. Is automatically and permanently disqualified
B. May apply for a Federal Vision Exemption
C. May drive with a state waiver only
D. Must use a bioptic telescope system
Answer: B
Explanation: Monocular drivers do not meet the standard for each eye but may apply for
FMCSA's Federal Vision Exemption Program waiver.
15. Bioptic telescopic lenses are NOT acceptable for meeting FMCSA vision
standards for:
A. Intrastate CMV drivers
B. Interstate CMV drivers
C. Drivers under age 40
D. Drivers with corrected vision of 20/40
Answer: B