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medical report, along with urinalysis, is required. Indications from
urinalysis of uncontrolled diabetes may disqualify an applicant
from operating a commercial vehicle. For the above reasons,
the circumstances in which an insulin dependent diabetic may
be qualified for a restricted intrastate commercial license will be
very rare. Under federal standards, a diabetic on insulin therapy,
regardless of the degree of control, does not qualify for interstate
driving, unless they were issued a federal waiver or exemption.
Cardiovascular system They have no clinical diagnosis of any
cardiovascular disease which is accompanied by syncope,
dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive cardiac
failure. The concern is whether there is a current clinical
diagnosis or history of an uncontrolled cardiovascular disease,
which is accompanied by and likely to cause symptoms of
fainting, labored breathing, collapse, congestive cardiac failure,
or sudden death. Respiratory system They have no established
medical history or clinical diagnosis of a respiratory condition
that would interfere with the ability to control and drive a motor
vehicle safely. The concern is whether a respiratory condition
may result in a lapse of consciousness, dizziness, fatigue, or
decreased mental awareness which may interfere with the ability
to safely operate a motor vehicle. Blood pressure They have no
clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with
their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. The complications
that may arise from sustained hypertension such as damage
to the heart, eyes, kidneys, and brain are unacceptable for
highway safety. Uncontrollable malignant (very dangerous)
hypertension that is rapidly progressive is disqualifying. Musculo-
skeletal system They have no established medical history or
clinical diagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular,
neuromuscular, or vascular disease that interferes with their
ability to control and operate a motor vehicle safely. A driver
with an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any
of these conditions, and who cannot demonstrate compensation
through a drive test, does not qualify for a commercial driver
license. Seizure or loss of conscious-ness/control They have no
established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or
any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness
or any loss of ability to control a motor vehicle. Clinical diagnosis
of epilepsy is a key medical factor for determining whether an
individual is qualified to obtain a commercial license. A clinical
diagnosis of epilepsy will usually require a controlling anti-
convulsant medication and the driver will not qualify for interstate
driving. Blackouts of known cause, when the cause is no longer
present nor likely to recur, may not be disqualifying (such as a
lapse of consciousness due to pregnancy, high fever, allergic
reaction to prescribed medication, or insect bite). The physician
should withhold certification until the driver has fully recovered
from the condition. Mental or functional disorder They have no
mental, nervous, organic, or functional disease or psychiatric
disorder likely to interfere with their ability to drive a motor vehicle
safely. Emotional or adjustment problems contribute directly to an
individual’s level of memory, reasoning, attention, and judgment.
Physical disorders often underlie these problems. A variety of
functional disorders can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion,
weakness, or paralysis that may lead to poor coordination,
inattention, loss of control, and susceptibility to accidents while
driving. Physical fatigue, headache, impaired coordination,
recurring physical ailments, and chronic pain may be present
to such a degree that certification for commercial driving is
inadvisable. Medications taken to relieve these disorders,
such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, and mood elevators, may
produce side effects which would also preclude commercial
licensing. Refer to the “Drugs” section in this table. Vision They
have at least: – 20/40 (Snellen) distant vision in each eye without
corrective lenses, or corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with
corrective lenses. – 20/40 distant binocular acuity (Snellen) in
both eyes with or without corrective lenses. – Field of vision of
at least 70º in the horizontal meridian in each eye. – The ability
to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing
standard red, green, and amber. Interstate drivers must have
20/40 vision or better in each eye and in both eyes together,
with or without corrective lenses. Color blind applicants may
qualify for both interstate and intrastate commercial driving if the
examining doctor determines they are able to distinguish the
traffic light colors of red, green, and amber, even if perceived in
shades of gray. Restrictions (may not transport passengers or
hazardous materials requiring placards, or limited to intrastate
commercial driving only) are not applied if the doctor determines
the driver meets the color vision standard. Federal regulations
allow certain commercial drivers to qualify under alternative
vision standards. Alternative vision standards require the same
visual acuity and horizontal meridian standards, but only in one
eye. Commercial drivers qualifying under the alternative vision
standards must have a Vision Evaluation Report (VER), Form
MCSA-5871 completed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist and
submit the VER to the doctor completing the medical examination
report. Hearing They can first perceive a forced whispered voice
at not less than five ft in their better ear with or without the use
of a hearing aid. If tested with an audiometric device, they do
not have an average hearing loss greater than 40 decibels at
500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz in the better ear with or without
a hearing aid. Applicants who have a hearing loss in both ears
that cannot be corrected to the federal requirements do not
qualify for an interstate license, but may qualify for a restricted
intrastate license (may not transport passengers or hazardous
materials requiring placards), if a driving test shows adequate
compensation for the deficit. If the driver meets the criteria by
using a hearing aid, the driver must wear the hearing aid and
have it in operation at all times while driving, and have a spare
power source for the hearing aid in possession. Drugs They
do not use an amphetamine, narcotic, or any habit-forming
drug. The driver does not have to be addicted or a habitual user
to be found unqualified. A person who takes a drug identified
as a Schedule 1 drug in FMCSR Appendix D is disqualified
from driving a commercial motor vehicle, except under limited
circumstances. Alcoholism They have no current clinical
diagnosis of alcoholism. Current clinical diagnosis is designed to
include a current alcoholic illness or those instances where the
individual’s physical condition has not fully stabilized, regardless
of the time element. The person must have ceased drinking for
a sufficient period of time to: – Have regained good judgment. –
Have no withdrawal effects, such as alcohol withdrawal seizures.
– No longer be physically or mentally unable to operate a motor
vehicle safely. Long term use of alcohol may lead to permanent
deterioration of mental or physical function. If there is a history
of past alcohol abuse, the overall physical condition of the driver
should be carefully reviewed.
This course prepares students to take the knowledge test required
to obtain a California Commercial Class A Learner's Permit. The
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