The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires that all commercial drivers pass a medical exam every 2 years.  Starting in May of 2014, this exam must be performed by a certified medical examiner.  Dr. Connolly became certified in February 2014 and is pleased to be offering thorough exams to meet your needs.

Some of the requirements to pass the physical for the CDL include:

  1. You need to have at least 20/40 correctable vision in each eye as well as both combined. (If vision correction devices such as glasses or contacts are needed to pass the exam, they must be used while driving. If wearing contacts, you must have an extra set with you in case of emergency.)

  2. You must be able to distinguish colors found on traffic signals.

  3. You should be able to perceive a forced whisper at a distance of at least 5 feet and/or pass an audiometric test in at least one ear. If hearing aids are required to pass the test, they must be worn while driving and you must carry spare batteries.

  4. Your blood pressure must be less than 140/90. (Use of prescription medication to achieve this threshold is permitted.) If your blood pressure is over 140/90 you may be temporarily disqualified or given a temporary certification to allow you to get your blood pressure under control.

  5. You cannot have diabetes that requires insulin injections and drive out of state unless you have your doctor complete form MCSA-5870; diabetes controlled through a diet or oral medication is permitted.

  6. No use of a Schedule 1 drug, amphetamine, narcotic or any habit forming drug is permitted.

  7. If you are currently diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases such as congestive cardiac failure, collapse or cardiac insufficiency, you will have to provide the Medical Examiner with a stress test along with a note from your physician which states that you are capable of driving a commercial motor vehicle with no restrictions.

requirements by Medical condition

 

Medication Use:

Please bring a list of all medications and dosages with you to your appointment

Diabetes:

Please have the following records faxed to me:

  • Last 12 months of primary care and/or endocrinology office visit notes

  • Last 12 months of A1C measurements

Insulin-dependent diabetes:

If you are on long-term use of insulin AND you want to drive out of state, you must have your primary care or endocrinologist complete form MCSA-5870 prior to your exam.

Heart disease, heart attack or other heart procedure:

Please have the following records faxed to me:

  • Last cardiology visit note

  • Copy of your last stress test and/or echocardiogram (required every two years after a heart attack)

Sleep Apnea

If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, it must be treated. Please bring a CPAP compliance summary form that covers at least 90 days (you can have these printed wherever you got your machine).

Cancer or other chronic health condition

  • If you are being treated or followed by oncology, please have the last visit note faxed to me.

  • If you have another chronic health condition, please have the treating physician fax me the last visit note.

  • If you have cataracts and/or glaucoma or other eye diseases, please have the treating physician fax me the last visit note.

  • If you are recovering from an injury or surgery, please have your treating physician fax me a return to work release letter.

 

MONOCULAR VISION:

If you have a fixed deficit meaning your vision in one eye cannot be corrected to 20/40 or better, you must have form MCSA-5871 completed within 45 days PRIOR to your appointment.