NRCME DOT Certification Exam Questions
and Answers () (Real Exam
Verified Answers)
• Examples of CMV driver stress factors -✓✓Interruption of normal sleep,
exercising, eating pattern, and access to social support networks resulting in
fatigue, obesity, and or/alienation of affection. Environment that may have
excessive vibration, noise, and extremes in temperature and or/adverse road or
traffic conditions that can interfere with driver ability to recognize a driving
hazard, cause temporary or permanent physical damage to sensory perception or
affect driver behavior. Increased potential for injury and fatalities should there be a
crash when driver is responsible for passenger safety or hazardous cargo.
• What are the differences between the medical standards and medical guidelines? -
✓✓Regulations are law and are mandatory. The ME must use standards to
determine interstate CMV driver medical fitness for duty. Medical guidelines are
not regulatory and the ME may choose not to follow the medical guidance.
• In which regulations are the driver physical qualification standards and Medical
Examiners cited? -✓✓Driver physical qualification standards are found in 49 CFR
391.41. ME responsibilities are found in 49 CFR 391.43
• What objective tests and measurements are required as part of the driver physical
examination? -✓✓Height & weight
Vision
Hearing
BP & pulse
Urinalysis (spec gravity, protein, blood, glucose)
• What are the possible outcomes of the driver physical examination? -
✓✓Certification
Disqualification
Determination pending
• What date is used to determine medical examiners certificate expiration? -✓✓The
date of the exam is used as the basis for certificate expiration, except when
determination pending is chosen.
,When determination pending is chosen, if the driver returns with the necessary
information prior to the expiration of the driver's current certificate and the driver
is qualified based on that information provided, the date used for the basis of the
certification timeframe is the date the driver returned with the necessary
information.
• What is the ME certificate expiration date for the following drivers?
A - Exam 4/16/2011, meets standards in 49 CFR 391.41, qualifies for 2 year
certificate.
B - Exam 4/16/2011, meets standards, but periodic monitoring required due to
HTN, qualifies for 1 year certificate.
C - Exam 4/16/2011, determination pending due to not having results of post-
CABG stress test, pt returns and provides that info on 4/25/2011, driver is qualified
for 1 year.
D - Exam 4/16/2011, disqualified due to benign position vertigo on 3/15/2011,
returned to ME for certification examination on 5/20/11. He has been
asymptomatic since 3/11/2011. Qualified for two years. -✓✓A: 4/16/2013
B: 4/16/2012
C: 4/25/2012
D: 5/20/2013
• Patient example:
Karen, recertification exam
42 y/o female
No health history, no medications.
Vision acuity: right 20/20, left 20/30. Both 20/20. Horizontal field of vision Rt 80
degrees, Lt 80 degrees. Not corrected vision.
No monocular vision.
No hearing aids, Whisper test 5' bilaterally. N/A audiometric testing
UA: spec grav 1.020, protein 1+, blood 4+, glucose neg.
Hgb 12.4
BP 134/88, P 80, regular.
PE: on 4th day of menses with heavy bleeding. Advised to consult PCP or GYN
for eval of excessive bleeding that could lead to anemia, leading to fatigue that
would affect her driving. -✓✓Two year certification - no disqualifying health
history or PE abnormalities.
Ask about medication use, including OTC medications.
ME obtained hemoglobin testing based on PE findings. (not required)
,The ME should correctly note the body system in which there was an abnormal
finding. The note reflects inquiry as to the affect on driving ability and is also
supported by Hgb test results. ME also documented medical follow up advice.
• Who can perform the vision portion of the interstate CMV driver physical
examination? -✓✓The certified ME, optometrist, or an opthalmologist. If the
specialist provider performs the exam, they should complete and sign the
provider's information on the report form and provide the results.
• To pass the interstate CMV driver vision exam, a visual acuity of
___/___corrected or uncorrected is required. -✓✓20/40 on Snellen chart in each
eye individually AND in both eyes combined.
• What eye conditions must the ME ask the driver about and if indicated, request
specialist evaluation? -✓✓Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, and macular
degeneration.
• Pt example:
Mr. Brown, 48 y/o male. No current meds, injury 5 years ago. Hunting accident 2
years ago with facial trauma and left orbital fracture. Presented a "may drive" note
from eye surgeon (dated 3 months prior to examination). Uncorrected vision, right
eye 20/20. left eye 20/40. Both 20/20. Horizontal field of vision Right 80 degrees,
left eye is inconclusive. No monocular vision. No hearing aids. Whisper test 5'
bilaterally. N/A audiometric test. UA normal. BP 122/74, p 80, regular. -✓✓Exam
findings: Left eye muscles do not move eye to the left, discussed disqualification
pending eye exam by specialist. Explained the specialist will get precise visual
field measurements. Provided driver with appropriate medical release and copy of
medical exam report with vision section highlighted.
Driver does not meet requirements. He is pending specialist vision exam.
Diminished vision in left eye noted. Pt could be functionally monocular.
• What is the purpose of the interstate CMV driver physical examination? -✓✓To
detect the presence of physical, mental, or organic conditions of such character and
extent as to affect the driver ability to operate a CMV safely. This exam is for
public safety determination and is considered by FMCSA to be a "medical fitness
for duty" examination.
, • Examples of "yes" answers for hearing and ears on the health history that may
require further examination before a certification decision can be made -✓✓Ear
disorders
Loss of hearing
Loss of balance
• Pt example:
Pt has hearing of 4' in left and right ears. Do they meet the hearing standards? -
✓✓No, hearing minimum for whisper test is equal or greater than 5' in the better
ear. This driver needs an audiometric hearing test.
• Pt example:
Does this driver meet hearing standards for interstate CMV driver certification?
Audiometric test results - [Hearing loss in decibles 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz]
Right ear: 30, 45, 40
Left ear: 45, 45, 35 -✓✓Yes, the average hearing loss in the right ear is less than
40 dB.
Rt ear average is 38.33 = pass
Lt ear average is 41.67 = fail
*only one ear has to meet requirement of less than 40 dB of hearing loss
• Pt example:
Mr. Chin, 54 y/o male
Admits loss of hearing. No medications.
History of frequent ear infections in childhood, multiple TM ruptures and
infections in elementary and middle school. He has "always been hard of hearing"
in his left ear.
Uncorrected vision acuity, right eye 20/30. left eye 20/30. Both 20/30. Horizontal
field of vision 90 degrees bilaterally. No monocular vision.
No hearing aids used for test.
Whisper test - right ear 5', left ear 3'.
UA normal
BP 134/80, P 86, regular -✓✓PE comments:
Right ear passed forced whisper test, left ear failed. The left TM is misshapen and
scarred. PND noted.
Certify Mr. Chin for two years. To meet certification requirements, he only has to
pass hearing test in one ear. Mr. Chin passed with his right ear. There were no
other medical findings that would warrant a more frequent follow-up.
and Answers () (Real Exam
Verified Answers)
• Examples of CMV driver stress factors -✓✓Interruption of normal sleep,
exercising, eating pattern, and access to social support networks resulting in
fatigue, obesity, and or/alienation of affection. Environment that may have
excessive vibration, noise, and extremes in temperature and or/adverse road or
traffic conditions that can interfere with driver ability to recognize a driving
hazard, cause temporary or permanent physical damage to sensory perception or
affect driver behavior. Increased potential for injury and fatalities should there be a
crash when driver is responsible for passenger safety or hazardous cargo.
• What are the differences between the medical standards and medical guidelines? -
✓✓Regulations are law and are mandatory. The ME must use standards to
determine interstate CMV driver medical fitness for duty. Medical guidelines are
not regulatory and the ME may choose not to follow the medical guidance.
• In which regulations are the driver physical qualification standards and Medical
Examiners cited? -✓✓Driver physical qualification standards are found in 49 CFR
391.41. ME responsibilities are found in 49 CFR 391.43
• What objective tests and measurements are required as part of the driver physical
examination? -✓✓Height & weight
Vision
Hearing
BP & pulse
Urinalysis (spec gravity, protein, blood, glucose)
• What are the possible outcomes of the driver physical examination? -
✓✓Certification
Disqualification
Determination pending
• What date is used to determine medical examiners certificate expiration? -✓✓The
date of the exam is used as the basis for certificate expiration, except when
determination pending is chosen.
,When determination pending is chosen, if the driver returns with the necessary
information prior to the expiration of the driver's current certificate and the driver
is qualified based on that information provided, the date used for the basis of the
certification timeframe is the date the driver returned with the necessary
information.
• What is the ME certificate expiration date for the following drivers?
A - Exam 4/16/2011, meets standards in 49 CFR 391.41, qualifies for 2 year
certificate.
B - Exam 4/16/2011, meets standards, but periodic monitoring required due to
HTN, qualifies for 1 year certificate.
C - Exam 4/16/2011, determination pending due to not having results of post-
CABG stress test, pt returns and provides that info on 4/25/2011, driver is qualified
for 1 year.
D - Exam 4/16/2011, disqualified due to benign position vertigo on 3/15/2011,
returned to ME for certification examination on 5/20/11. He has been
asymptomatic since 3/11/2011. Qualified for two years. -✓✓A: 4/16/2013
B: 4/16/2012
C: 4/25/2012
D: 5/20/2013
• Patient example:
Karen, recertification exam
42 y/o female
No health history, no medications.
Vision acuity: right 20/20, left 20/30. Both 20/20. Horizontal field of vision Rt 80
degrees, Lt 80 degrees. Not corrected vision.
No monocular vision.
No hearing aids, Whisper test 5' bilaterally. N/A audiometric testing
UA: spec grav 1.020, protein 1+, blood 4+, glucose neg.
Hgb 12.4
BP 134/88, P 80, regular.
PE: on 4th day of menses with heavy bleeding. Advised to consult PCP or GYN
for eval of excessive bleeding that could lead to anemia, leading to fatigue that
would affect her driving. -✓✓Two year certification - no disqualifying health
history or PE abnormalities.
Ask about medication use, including OTC medications.
ME obtained hemoglobin testing based on PE findings. (not required)
,The ME should correctly note the body system in which there was an abnormal
finding. The note reflects inquiry as to the affect on driving ability and is also
supported by Hgb test results. ME also documented medical follow up advice.
• Who can perform the vision portion of the interstate CMV driver physical
examination? -✓✓The certified ME, optometrist, or an opthalmologist. If the
specialist provider performs the exam, they should complete and sign the
provider's information on the report form and provide the results.
• To pass the interstate CMV driver vision exam, a visual acuity of
___/___corrected or uncorrected is required. -✓✓20/40 on Snellen chart in each
eye individually AND in both eyes combined.
• What eye conditions must the ME ask the driver about and if indicated, request
specialist evaluation? -✓✓Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, and macular
degeneration.
• Pt example:
Mr. Brown, 48 y/o male. No current meds, injury 5 years ago. Hunting accident 2
years ago with facial trauma and left orbital fracture. Presented a "may drive" note
from eye surgeon (dated 3 months prior to examination). Uncorrected vision, right
eye 20/20. left eye 20/40. Both 20/20. Horizontal field of vision Right 80 degrees,
left eye is inconclusive. No monocular vision. No hearing aids. Whisper test 5'
bilaterally. N/A audiometric test. UA normal. BP 122/74, p 80, regular. -✓✓Exam
findings: Left eye muscles do not move eye to the left, discussed disqualification
pending eye exam by specialist. Explained the specialist will get precise visual
field measurements. Provided driver with appropriate medical release and copy of
medical exam report with vision section highlighted.
Driver does not meet requirements. He is pending specialist vision exam.
Diminished vision in left eye noted. Pt could be functionally monocular.
• What is the purpose of the interstate CMV driver physical examination? -✓✓To
detect the presence of physical, mental, or organic conditions of such character and
extent as to affect the driver ability to operate a CMV safely. This exam is for
public safety determination and is considered by FMCSA to be a "medical fitness
for duty" examination.
, • Examples of "yes" answers for hearing and ears on the health history that may
require further examination before a certification decision can be made -✓✓Ear
disorders
Loss of hearing
Loss of balance
• Pt example:
Pt has hearing of 4' in left and right ears. Do they meet the hearing standards? -
✓✓No, hearing minimum for whisper test is equal or greater than 5' in the better
ear. This driver needs an audiometric hearing test.
• Pt example:
Does this driver meet hearing standards for interstate CMV driver certification?
Audiometric test results - [Hearing loss in decibles 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz]
Right ear: 30, 45, 40
Left ear: 45, 45, 35 -✓✓Yes, the average hearing loss in the right ear is less than
40 dB.
Rt ear average is 38.33 = pass
Lt ear average is 41.67 = fail
*only one ear has to meet requirement of less than 40 dB of hearing loss
• Pt example:
Mr. Chin, 54 y/o male
Admits loss of hearing. No medications.
History of frequent ear infections in childhood, multiple TM ruptures and
infections in elementary and middle school. He has "always been hard of hearing"
in his left ear.
Uncorrected vision acuity, right eye 20/30. left eye 20/30. Both 20/30. Horizontal
field of vision 90 degrees bilaterally. No monocular vision.
No hearing aids used for test.
Whisper test - right ear 5', left ear 3'.
UA normal
BP 134/80, P 86, regular -✓✓PE comments:
Right ear passed forced whisper test, left ear failed. The left TM is misshapen and
scarred. PND noted.
Certify Mr. Chin for two years. To meet certification requirements, he only has to
pass hearing test in one ear. Mr. Chin passed with his right ear. There were no
other medical findings that would warrant a more frequent follow-up.
