What is CDL Medical Exam?

What is CDL Medical Exam – Overview

School bus drivers, truck drivers, and transport companies who use a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to transport passengers or cargo must pass the Department of Transport (DOT) physically before employment and every two years.

A DOT medical exam ensures the safety of the public and prevents accidents. This article contains all the relevant information about CDL medical exams you are looking for.

What is DOT Physical?

DOT medical exam is usually called a DOT physical. It is a comprehensive physical test that is mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is required for people who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and work as commercial vehicle drivers.

CDL drivers are required to take and pass the CDL physical once every 24 months. It is necessary to ensure public safety by making sure that the drivers of heavy commercial vehicles are mentally and physically fit to drive.

Who Should Take a CDL Medical Exam?

The following types of drivers and employees need to take the DOT physical exam:

People who operate vehicles designed to carry more than 15 people
People who transport hazardous materials that require affixing a placard to their vehicles
People who operate vehicles with gross weights of more than 10,000 lbs.
People who are employed to operate vehicles that carry more than 8 passengers

What Happens in a CDL Medical Exam?

The CDL physical/medical exam consists of six tests to evaluate commercial drivers’ overall health and faculties. The series of CDL medical exams consist of the following:

What is CDL Medical Exam – Hearing Test

1 – Vision Test

People who hold a CDL license are required to have at least a 20/40 visual acuity in both eyes. This can also include corrected vision with contact lenses or eyeglasses. This test is useful to determine that the driver has a minimum peripheral vision of at least 70” in both eyes.

2 – Hearing Test

The CDL exam also involves testing the driver’s hearing to check if they can hear a “forced whisper” from at least 5 feet away or less. Commercial drivers must pass the hearing exam with or without a hearing aid. The forced whisper test ensures that the driver is not suffering from hearing loss in their good ear. If there is a hearing problem, it should be less than 40 decibels for the applicant to pass this test.

3 – Blood Pressure and Pulse Check

The driver’s blood pressure and pulse rate are taken and checked to ensure regular heartbeats and lack of hypertension.

4 – Urine Analysis

A CDL physical exam also requires applicants to undergo a urine test as part of the DOT medical tests. The urine is analyzed for symptoms of severe health disorders, such as diabetes.

5 – Sleep Apnea Test

A sleep apnea test is administered to drivers who report experiencing the following symptoms:

Headaches in the morning
Daytime fatigue/drowsiness
Gasping while sleeping
Sore throat / dry mouth after waking
Heavy snoring

6 – Physical Examination

Besides the five tests listed above, CDL drivers also need to undergo a thorough physical examination as part of their CDL medical test, which checks the driver:

Overall appearance
Eyesight (for specific disorders, such as glaucoma, cataracts, etc.)
Ears/hearing (to check for perforated eardrums, hearing loss, etc.)
Throat and mouth (to check for breathing or swallowing problems)
Heart (to test for heart murmurs, arrhythmia, and other heart problems)
Chest and lungs (to ensure optimal respiratory health)
Abdomen (to check for muscle weakness, liver enlargement, etc.)
Vascular system (to ensure normal pulse rate, find carotid and other problems)
Genito-urinary system (to check for hernias)
Spine and musculoskeletal system
Extremities (to test limb deformities or defects)
Neurology (to text for neurological impairments and reflexes)

What Conditions Can Disqualify an Applicant for a CDL?

The DOT has specified several physical or mental health conditions that can disqualify an applicant from earning a commercial driver’s license. Depending on the specific condition, the applicant can still get an exemption from the FMCSA, based on a statement from their doctor, ensuring that they can drive safely, despite the underlying health condition.

As per 49 CFR, part 391 – 391.41, the following health conditions can disqualify drivers from acquiring a commercial driver’s license, according to DOT mandate:

Loss of hand, leg, foot or arm (unless the applicant has successfully passed a complete skill performance evaluation certificate)
Hand or finger disorders that prevent grasping properly
Limb impairments and defects that prevent drivers from safely operating a commercial vehicle
Diabetes mellitus (insulin-controlled diabetes – without an exemption)
Cardiovascular disease / congestive heart failure
Musculoskeletal disorders that can interfere with safely operating a commercial vehicle
High blood pressure that could prohibit the safe operation of a commercial vehicle
Epilepsy and other conditions that can cause loss of consciousness
Red/green colorblindness
Respiratory disorders that could cause loss of consciousness
Peripheral vision acuity of less than 70” in one eye or both
Visual acuity in both eyes (with or without correction of more than 20/40)
Hearing loss that cannot be corrected to less than 40 dB or less from 5 feet away

Besides this, there are certain medical conditions that can also disqualify an applicant from acquiring a commercial driver’s license, such as:

Psychotic disorders
Major depressive disorders (history of suicidal/homicidal ideations, suicide attempts, psychosis, etc.)
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Antisocial personality disorders
Bipolar disorders

Conclusion

To get a CDL medical exam, your employer can contact a certified medical examiner near you by searching the FMCSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners here https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/national-registry/national-registry-certified-medical-examiners.

A CDL license is mandatory by law to operate commercial vehicles of any kind. The DOT has specified an extensive CDL medical exam to ensure that applicants are mentally and physically healthy to operate heavy commercial vehicles safely. This medical exam is a comprehensive physical test that evaluates your visual acuity, hearing, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and various elements. It ensures that the applicant for a CDL license has their faculties intact and is fit and responsible enough to drive a bus, truck, or other company vehicles.

References

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-dot-physical

fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/dot-medical-exam-and-commercial-motor-vehicle-certification

https://www.naomedical.com/blog/what-is-a-dot-physical-exam/

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