NRCME DOT Certification Exam Questions
and Answers (Updated Verified Answers)
• Medical guidelines for the driver with diabetes mellitus include: -✓✓Annual
medical examination.
Annual ophthalmologist or optometrist eye evaluation.
Disqualification for a diagnosis of unstable proliferative retinopathy.
• Monocular Vision -✓✓Monocular vision is disqualifying.
However, the driver who has monocular vision that with the better eye meets all
vision qualification requirements may be considered for a Federal Vision
Exemption if the Medical Examiner finds the driver otherwise medically fit for
duty.
Monocular vision is defined as vision that is at least 20/40 for distance in one eye
with or without correction and vision that is less than 20/40 for distance in one eye
with or without correction.
The driver must meet other vision requirements in each eye, including visual fields
(horizontal field of vision).
Federal Vision Exemption: the driver with monocular vision who is applying for or
has a federal exemption or is qualified by operation of 49 CFR 391.64 must have
an annual physical examination.
Drivers with vision loss who meet standards may be certified for up to two years.
• A driver who wears contact lenses which correct farsightedness in one eye and
nearsightedness in the other, but has no other visual impairments can be certified
under what additional conditions?
Only if the driver wears prescription glasses which provide the same correction as
the contact lenses.
FMCSA guidance indicates that a driver should not be certified under these
circumstances.
Only by federal exemption.
The driver is always certifiable under these conditions. -✓✓FMCSA guidance
indicates that a driver should not be certified under these circumstances.
Explanation: FMCSA guidance indicates that contact lenses that correct one eye
for distance and one eye for near vision are not acceptable.
,• Guidance recommends not to certify with ear problem diagnoses of: -✓✓a)
Uncontrolled vertigo.
b) Ménière's disease.
c) Nonfunctioning labyrinth.
d) Nonfunctioning fistula.
• The medical examiner's role in the exemption process includes _________.
Issuing the exemption.
Issuing the prescription for the driver's contact lenses and/or glasses.
Providing the driver with contact information for the Federal Vision Exemption
Program.
Assuring that the driver has peripheral vision of at least 110 degrees in each eye. -
✓✓Providing the driver with contact information for the Federal Vision Exemption
Program.
Explanation: The medical examiner's role in the exemption process is limited to
performing the driver examination and providing the driver with contact
information for the FMCSA related to the exemption process.
• An audiometric test produces the following results: Left ear: 500 Hz, 35dB Loss;
1,000 Hz, 35 dB loss; 2,000 Hz 45 dB loss. Right ear: 500 Hz, 40 dB loss; 1,000
Hz, 45 dB loss; 2,000 40 dB loss. What is the certification?
Certify for one year.
Certify for two years.
Do not certify.
Certify only when accompanied by hearing aid. -✓✓Certify for two years.
Explanation: Drivers with an average hearing loss of < 40 decibels averaged across
500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear may be certified for two years.
• What eye conditions must the medical examiner ask the driver about?
Cataracts, color deficiencies, retinitis pigmentosa, aphakia, glaucoma.
Lazy eye, cataracts, aphakia, floaters, retinopathy.
,Glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, color deficiencies.
Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration. -
✓✓Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration.
Explanation: These are the "ask about" vision conditions. The medical examiner
may ask the driver about any eye conditions, but should ask the driver about these
specified conditions.
• Which of the following drivers' tests meet hearing certification standards?
Whisper test 4 feet right ear, 3 feet left ear.
Whisper test 5 feet right ear with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear without hearing aid.
Audiogram left 30/500 Hz, 40/1000 Hz, 60/2000 Hz; right 25/500 Hz, 35/1000 Hz,
80/2000 Hz.
Audiogram left 35/500 Hz, 50/1000 Hz, 40/3000 Hz; right 35/500 Hz, 35/1000 Hz,
60/3000 Hz. -✓✓Whisper test 5 feet right ear with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear
without hearing aid.
Explanation: Whisper test results require 5 feet in at least one ear for passing, with
or without a hearing aid. Audiometric testing results require an average of 40 dB
loss in the better ear for results averaged across 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Although
testing may be performed at 3000 Hz, results obtained are not used to determine
whether the driver meets hearing requirements.
• A driver has loss of hearing in the better ear of 25 dB loss at 500 Hz, 40 dB loss
at 1000 Hz, and 60 dB loss at 2000 Hz. With respect to the hearing requirement for
medical certification, the driver __________.
May be certified for one year.
May be certified for two years.
May not be certified.
May be certified if examined by an otolaryngologist who is familiar with the CMV
driving duties who certifies the driver as medically qualified to drive a CMV. -
✓✓May not be certified.
Explanation: An average hearing loss of 41.7 decibels averaged across 500, 1000,
and 2000 Hz in the better ear is disqualifying. The driver should be referred to
obtain a hearing aid and may be certified if the driver passes while wearing a
hearing aid. A specialist cannot determine certification, and a specialist cannot
, override medical qualification standards such as the minimum hearing
requirement.
• Which of the following is acceptable for a driver who wears a hearing aid?
Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a
qualified specialist.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by the medical examiner using
audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by an audiologist or
otolaryngologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed at 1,000 Hz only. -✓✓Testing of
the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a qualified
specialist.
Testing the hearing of a driver who wears a hearing aid may be accomplished in
three ways: 1) whisper test, 2) audiometric testing by an otolaryngologist using
specialized audiometric testing equipment, or 3) audiometric testing by an
audiologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment. Audiometric testing is
required to be conducted at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz.
• Passing Requirements for Vision Tests -✓✓Corrective lenses, eye glasses and/or
contact lenses may be used.
Distance binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye with or without
corrective lenses. Field of vision of at least 70º in the horizontal meridian in each
eye. Monocular vision - vision meeting requirements in only one eye - is
disqualifying by regulation.
The ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard
red, green, and amber.
Contact lenses that correct vision in one eye for distance and the other eye for near
are not acceptable.
Results must be converted to Snellen values if another test is used.
Measured in each eye individually and both eyes.
Drivers who wear corrective lenses should be advised to carry spare glasses.
In general, any vision condition, such as lazy eye, glaucoma, cataract, and others,
is not disqualifying as long as the driver meets minimum vision testing parameters.
and Answers (Updated Verified Answers)
• Medical guidelines for the driver with diabetes mellitus include: -✓✓Annual
medical examination.
Annual ophthalmologist or optometrist eye evaluation.
Disqualification for a diagnosis of unstable proliferative retinopathy.
• Monocular Vision -✓✓Monocular vision is disqualifying.
However, the driver who has monocular vision that with the better eye meets all
vision qualification requirements may be considered for a Federal Vision
Exemption if the Medical Examiner finds the driver otherwise medically fit for
duty.
Monocular vision is defined as vision that is at least 20/40 for distance in one eye
with or without correction and vision that is less than 20/40 for distance in one eye
with or without correction.
The driver must meet other vision requirements in each eye, including visual fields
(horizontal field of vision).
Federal Vision Exemption: the driver with monocular vision who is applying for or
has a federal exemption or is qualified by operation of 49 CFR 391.64 must have
an annual physical examination.
Drivers with vision loss who meet standards may be certified for up to two years.
• A driver who wears contact lenses which correct farsightedness in one eye and
nearsightedness in the other, but has no other visual impairments can be certified
under what additional conditions?
Only if the driver wears prescription glasses which provide the same correction as
the contact lenses.
FMCSA guidance indicates that a driver should not be certified under these
circumstances.
Only by federal exemption.
The driver is always certifiable under these conditions. -✓✓FMCSA guidance
indicates that a driver should not be certified under these circumstances.
Explanation: FMCSA guidance indicates that contact lenses that correct one eye
for distance and one eye for near vision are not acceptable.
,• Guidance recommends not to certify with ear problem diagnoses of: -✓✓a)
Uncontrolled vertigo.
b) Ménière's disease.
c) Nonfunctioning labyrinth.
d) Nonfunctioning fistula.
• The medical examiner's role in the exemption process includes _________.
Issuing the exemption.
Issuing the prescription for the driver's contact lenses and/or glasses.
Providing the driver with contact information for the Federal Vision Exemption
Program.
Assuring that the driver has peripheral vision of at least 110 degrees in each eye. -
✓✓Providing the driver with contact information for the Federal Vision Exemption
Program.
Explanation: The medical examiner's role in the exemption process is limited to
performing the driver examination and providing the driver with contact
information for the FMCSA related to the exemption process.
• An audiometric test produces the following results: Left ear: 500 Hz, 35dB Loss;
1,000 Hz, 35 dB loss; 2,000 Hz 45 dB loss. Right ear: 500 Hz, 40 dB loss; 1,000
Hz, 45 dB loss; 2,000 40 dB loss. What is the certification?
Certify for one year.
Certify for two years.
Do not certify.
Certify only when accompanied by hearing aid. -✓✓Certify for two years.
Explanation: Drivers with an average hearing loss of < 40 decibels averaged across
500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear may be certified for two years.
• What eye conditions must the medical examiner ask the driver about?
Cataracts, color deficiencies, retinitis pigmentosa, aphakia, glaucoma.
Lazy eye, cataracts, aphakia, floaters, retinopathy.
,Glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, color deficiencies.
Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration. -
✓✓Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration.
Explanation: These are the "ask about" vision conditions. The medical examiner
may ask the driver about any eye conditions, but should ask the driver about these
specified conditions.
• Which of the following drivers' tests meet hearing certification standards?
Whisper test 4 feet right ear, 3 feet left ear.
Whisper test 5 feet right ear with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear without hearing aid.
Audiogram left 30/500 Hz, 40/1000 Hz, 60/2000 Hz; right 25/500 Hz, 35/1000 Hz,
80/2000 Hz.
Audiogram left 35/500 Hz, 50/1000 Hz, 40/3000 Hz; right 35/500 Hz, 35/1000 Hz,
60/3000 Hz. -✓✓Whisper test 5 feet right ear with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear
without hearing aid.
Explanation: Whisper test results require 5 feet in at least one ear for passing, with
or without a hearing aid. Audiometric testing results require an average of 40 dB
loss in the better ear for results averaged across 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Although
testing may be performed at 3000 Hz, results obtained are not used to determine
whether the driver meets hearing requirements.
• A driver has loss of hearing in the better ear of 25 dB loss at 500 Hz, 40 dB loss
at 1000 Hz, and 60 dB loss at 2000 Hz. With respect to the hearing requirement for
medical certification, the driver __________.
May be certified for one year.
May be certified for two years.
May not be certified.
May be certified if examined by an otolaryngologist who is familiar with the CMV
driving duties who certifies the driver as medically qualified to drive a CMV. -
✓✓May not be certified.
Explanation: An average hearing loss of 41.7 decibels averaged across 500, 1000,
and 2000 Hz in the better ear is disqualifying. The driver should be referred to
obtain a hearing aid and may be certified if the driver passes while wearing a
hearing aid. A specialist cannot determine certification, and a specialist cannot
, override medical qualification standards such as the minimum hearing
requirement.
• Which of the following is acceptable for a driver who wears a hearing aid?
Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a
qualified specialist.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by the medical examiner using
audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by an audiologist or
otolaryngologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed at 1,000 Hz only. -✓✓Testing of
the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a qualified
specialist.
Testing the hearing of a driver who wears a hearing aid may be accomplished in
three ways: 1) whisper test, 2) audiometric testing by an otolaryngologist using
specialized audiometric testing equipment, or 3) audiometric testing by an
audiologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment. Audiometric testing is
required to be conducted at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz.
• Passing Requirements for Vision Tests -✓✓Corrective lenses, eye glasses and/or
contact lenses may be used.
Distance binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye with or without
corrective lenses. Field of vision of at least 70º in the horizontal meridian in each
eye. Monocular vision - vision meeting requirements in only one eye - is
disqualifying by regulation.
The ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard
red, green, and amber.
Contact lenses that correct vision in one eye for distance and the other eye for near
are not acceptable.
Results must be converted to Snellen values if another test is used.
Measured in each eye individually and both eyes.
Drivers who wear corrective lenses should be advised to carry spare glasses.
In general, any vision condition, such as lazy eye, glaucoma, cataract, and others,
is not disqualifying as long as the driver meets minimum vision testing parameters.
