General Overview of the Service

All drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) are required to obtain a Commercial Driver License (CDL). In order to get a CDL, you must first take and pass required knowledge, skills, and medical tests.

The medical examiner is responsible for ensuring that only drivers who meet federal physical requirements are issued a Medical Examiner’s Certificate hence certify that the driver is medically fit for duty, and can perform the driver role as described in the Medical Examination Form.

Certification frequency varies from 3 months, 6 months, 1 year to 2 years dependent on medical qualification.

How the Service is Done

First, the patient must complete a 6-page driver packet. Then the health practitioner will review the patient’s medical history and begin the physical exam.

These are some vital signs that may be checked

  • Blood pressure: Less than 120 over 80 is a normal blood pressure. Doctors define high blood pressure (hypertension) as 140 over 90 or higher.
  • Heart rate: Values between 60 and 100 are considered normal. However, healthy people can have heart rates slower than 60.
  • Respiration rate: 12 to 16 breaths per minute is normal for a healthy adult. Breathing more than 20 times per minute can suggest heart or lung problems.
  • Temperature: 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is average, but healthy people can have resting temperatures slightly higher or lower.
  • Heart Exam. Checks for an irregular heartbeat, a heart murmur, or other clues to heart disease.
  • Lung Exam. Checks for breath sounds including crackles, wheezes, or decreased breath. These and other clues indicate heart or lung disease.
  • Head and Neck Exam. Checks your throat and tonsils, teeth and gums, ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes, thyroid, and carotid arteries.
  • Abdominal Exam. Tapping your abdomen can detect liver size and presence of abdominal fluid; the health practitioner will also listen for bowel sounds with a stethoscope, and palpate for tenderness.
  • Neurological Exam. Nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, and mental state may be assessed.
  • Dermatological Exam. Skin and nail exam could indicate a dermatological or other health problem.
  • Extremities Exam. Pulses can be checked in arms and legs.
  • Male physical exam: Testicular, hernia, penis, and prostate exam.
  • Female physical exam: Breast exam.
  • Laboratory tests: Onsite urinalysis with possible glucose testing.

After the physical exam is completed the medical provider will complete the driver packet and register it with the FMCSA.

IMPORTANT: If you have a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea with CPA please bring documentation of compliance to your visit.

IMPORTANT: Any patients with a history of Cardiac Stent placement or open heart surgery will be required to have exercise tolerance test with ejection fraction every 2 years as stated by FMCSA.

What methods are Used

These tests are provided within the clinic.

Possible Side Effects

If you are taking medication, it is important to know the side effects. This is especially true if your ability to drive is affected. Your health practitioner will ask about medications and discuss side effects with you.

Next Steps

Follow up and determination of frequency of testing is dependent on exam.