Commercial drivers have to pass drug and alcohol screenings.
Drivers wishing to obtain their Commercial Drivers License or CDL must pass a commercial driver fitness determination. A medical examiner performs a physical fitness determination to ensure that a commercial vehicle operator satisfies all of the physical requirements defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Commercial drivers must who satisfy their physical fitness determination receive a Medical Examiner's certificate. Commercial vehicle operators must always carry a valid physical examination card while they are on duty.
Medical History
Prior to conducting a physical screening, medical examiners evaluate a driver's current health status by filling out a medical history questionnaire. Drivers must be screened for any history of injuries or accidents, cases of seizures or epilepsy, and vision impairments or heart surgery. Drivers must also indicate whether they have been diagnosed with diseases of the lungs, kidney, liver or digestive problems. Medical examiners are required to record if a driver is taking any prescription or over the counter medications.
Testing
Drivers must complete a series of tests including vision, hearing, blood pressure and urinalysis screenings. Vision tests are designed to determine whether drivers can accurately recognize and distinguish traffic control signals and colors. Hearing tests are conducted to evaluate a driver's ability to meet specific hearing standards. Other tests include a blood pressure examination, which must fall within the range of 140/90. Blood pressure screenings for drivers must be performed three times per year. Drivers are also tested for any traces of protein, blood or sugar in their urine, which may require additional laboratory tests.
Body System
Drivers are evaluated for the presence of physical impairments such as hernias, tremors, signs of alcoholism, deformities that interfere with their breathing or swallowing and abnormal lung and chest X-ray results. Lung and chest xrays are taken to detect any abnormal respiratory rates, wheezing and other impaired respiratory functions. Drivers are tested for any previous surgery of the spine or musculoskeletal region or to determine if they have limitations of motion in these regions. Body system tests also include neurological evaluations and any equilibrium or speech impairments.
Limb Impairments
Drivers must take a Skills Performance Evaluation or SPE. Individuals with limb impairments are ineligible to operate commercial vehicles. Drivers with significant limb defects that may interfere with their ability to operate a vehicle or perform normal tasks associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle will be disqualified. Depending on the results of SPE screenings, medical examiners may issue a certificate to certain drivers who wear prosthetic devices or equipment modifications. Prosthetic devices and equipment modifications are approved only if a medical examiner finds that a driver will be able to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
Tags: Drivers must, fitness determination, blood pressure, Commercial drivers, commercial vehicle, devices equipment
