Medical Certification
This domain tests the federal medical standards that apply to CDL drivers and how they affect school bus operation. Expect questions on who may perform the examination, how long the certificate lasts, and which conditions require further review.
Core medical rules
- The examination must be performed by a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry.
- The medical examiner's certificate is valid for a maximum of 24 months, but a shorter period may be set for a monitored condition.
- Vision: at least 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses and a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in each eye.
- Hearing: must perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet, or meet the audiometric standard.
- Disqualifying or reviewable conditions include uncontrolled hypertension, certain cardiac conditions, epilepsy, insulin-treated diabetes, and substance use.
- A corrective-lenses restriction must be honored while driving.
- State school transportation rules or the employer may require more frequent physical examinations.
Worked example
An applicant has 20/50 vision in the right eye without correction and 20/25 with glasses. The applicant meets the vision standard only with corrective lenses. The medical examiner may issue a certificate with a corrective-lenses restriction. The driver must wear the glasses while operating the school bus. If the corrected vision in either eye cannot reach 20/40, the driver does not meet the standard unless a federal exemption applies.
Traps that cost marks
- Using a health care provider who is not on the National Registry.
- Treating the medical certificate as valid indefinitely because the CDL is valid for longer.
- Failing to disclose a disqualifying condition or medication.
- Ignoring a corrective-lenses restriction on the certificate.
- Assuming the state school bus permit replaces the federal medical certificate.