2023 DOT: Comprehensive Review for
NRCME Exam Q/A
Corrective lenses that are prohibited by the FMCSA, including: Correct
Ans - lenses that correct distance vision in one eye and near vision in the
other.
telescopic lenses
Medical guidelines for the driver with diabetes mellitus include: Correct
Ans - Annual medical examination.
Annual ophthalmologist or optometrist eye evaluation.
Disqualification for a diagnosis of unstable proliferative retinopathy.
Monocular Vision Correct Ans - Monocular vision is disqualifying.
However, the driver who has monocular vision that with the better eye meets
all vision qualification requirements may be considered for a Federal Vision
Exemption if the Medical Examiner finds the driver otherwise medically fit for
duty.
Monocular vision is defined as vision that is at least 20/40 for distance in one
eye with or without correction and vision that is less than 20/40 for distance
in one eye with or without correction.
The driver must meet other vision requirements in each eye, including visual
fields (horizontal field of vision).
Federal Vision Exemption: the driver with monocular vision who is applying
for or has a federal exemption or is qualified by operation of 49 CFR 391.64
must have an annual physical examination.
Drivers with vision loss who meet standards may be certified for up to two
years.
A driver who wears contact lenses which correct farsightedness in one eye
and nearsightedness in the other, but has no other visual impairments can be
certified under what additional conditions?
Only if the driver wears prescription glasses which provide the same
correction as the contact lenses.
FMCSA guidance indicates that a driver should not be certified under these
circumstances.
,Only by federal exemption.
The driver is always certifiable under these conditions. Correct Ans -
FMCSA guidance indicates that a driver should not be certified under these
circumstances.
Explanation: FMCSA guidance indicates that contact lenses that correct one
eye for distance and one eye for near vision are not acceptable.
Guidance recommends not to certify with ear problem diagnoses of:
Correct Ans - a) Uncontrolled vertigo.
b) Ménière's disease.
c) Nonfunctioning labyrinth.
d) Nonfunctioning fistula.
The medical examiner's role in the exemption process includes _________.
Issuing the exemption.
Issuing the prescription for the driver's contact lenses and/or glasses.
Providing the driver with contact information for the Federal Vision
Exemption Program.
Assuring that the driver has peripheral vision of at least 110 degrees in each
eye. Correct Ans - Providing the driver with contact information for
the Federal Vision Exemption Program.
Explanation: The medical examiner's role in the exemption process is limited
to performing the driver examination and providing the driver with contact
information for the FMCSA related to the exemption process.
An audiometric test produces the following results: Left ear: 500 Hz, 35dB
Loss; 1,000 Hz, 35 dB loss; 2,000 Hz 45 dB loss. Right ear: 500 Hz, 40 dB loss;
1,000 Hz, 45 dB loss; 2,000 40 dB loss. What is the certification?
Certify for one year.
Certify for two years.
Do not certify.
,Certify only when accompanied by hearing aid. Correct Ans - Certify
for two years.
Explanation: Drivers with an average hearing loss of < 40 decibels averaged
across 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear may be certified for two years.
What eye conditions must the medical examiner ask the driver about?
Cataracts, color deficiencies, retinitis pigmentosa, aphakia, glaucoma.
Lazy eye, cataracts, aphakia, floaters, retinopathy.
Glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, color deficiencies.
Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration. Correct
Ans - Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration.
Explanation: These are the "ask about" vision conditions. The medical
examiner may ask the driver about any eye conditions, but should ask the
driver about these specified conditions.
Which of the following drivers' tests meet hearing certification standards?
Whisper test 4 feet right ear, 3 feet left ear.
Whisper test 5 feet right ear with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear without hearing
aid.
Audiogram left 30/500 Hz, 40/1000 Hz, 60/2000 Hz; right 25/500 Hz,
35/1000 Hz, 80/2000 Hz.
Audiogram left 35/500 Hz, 50/1000 Hz, 40/3000 Hz; right 35/500 Hz,
35/1000 Hz, 60/3000 Hz. Correct Ans - Whisper test 5 feet right ear
with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear without hearing aid.
Explanation: Whisper test results require 5 feet in at least one ear for passing,
with or without a hearing aid. Audiometric testing results require an average
of 40 dB loss in the better ear for results averaged across 500, 1000, and 2000
Hz. Although testing may be performed at 3000 Hz, results obtained are not
used to determine whether the driver meets hearing requirements.
A driver has loss of hearing in the better ear of 25 dB loss at 500 Hz, 40 dB
loss at 1000 Hz, and 60 dB loss at 2000 Hz. With respect to the hearing
requirement for medical certification, the driver __________.
, May be certified for one year.
May be certified for two years.
May not be certified.
May be certified if examined by an otolaryngologist who is familiar with the
CMV driving duties who certifies the driver as medically qualified to drive a
CMV. Correct Ans - May not be certified.
Explanation: An average hearing loss of 41.7 decibels averaged across 500,
1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear is disqualifying. The driver should be
referred to obtain a hearing aid and may be certified if the driver passes while
wearing a hearing aid. A specialist cannot determine certification, and a
specialist cannot override medical qualification standards such as the
minimum hearing requirement.
Which of the following is acceptable for a driver who wears a hearing aid?
Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a
qualified specialist.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by the medical examiner
using audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by an audiologist or
otolaryngologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed at 1,000 Hz only.
Correct Ans - Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver
presents a letter from a qualified specialist.
Testing the hearing of a driver who wears a hearing aid may be accomplished
in three ways: 1) whisper test, 2) audiometric testing by an otolaryngologist
using specialized audiometric testing equipment, or 3) audiometric testing by
an audiologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment. Audiometric
testing is required to be conducted at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz.
Passing Requirements for Vision Tests Correct Ans - Corrective lenses,
eye glasses and/or contact lenses may be used.
Distance binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye with or
without corrective lenses. Field of vision of at least 70º in the horizontal
meridian in each eye. Monocular vision - vision meeting requirements in only
one eye - is disqualifying by regulation.
NRCME Exam Q/A
Corrective lenses that are prohibited by the FMCSA, including: Correct
Ans - lenses that correct distance vision in one eye and near vision in the
other.
telescopic lenses
Medical guidelines for the driver with diabetes mellitus include: Correct
Ans - Annual medical examination.
Annual ophthalmologist or optometrist eye evaluation.
Disqualification for a diagnosis of unstable proliferative retinopathy.
Monocular Vision Correct Ans - Monocular vision is disqualifying.
However, the driver who has monocular vision that with the better eye meets
all vision qualification requirements may be considered for a Federal Vision
Exemption if the Medical Examiner finds the driver otherwise medically fit for
duty.
Monocular vision is defined as vision that is at least 20/40 for distance in one
eye with or without correction and vision that is less than 20/40 for distance
in one eye with or without correction.
The driver must meet other vision requirements in each eye, including visual
fields (horizontal field of vision).
Federal Vision Exemption: the driver with monocular vision who is applying
for or has a federal exemption or is qualified by operation of 49 CFR 391.64
must have an annual physical examination.
Drivers with vision loss who meet standards may be certified for up to two
years.
A driver who wears contact lenses which correct farsightedness in one eye
and nearsightedness in the other, but has no other visual impairments can be
certified under what additional conditions?
Only if the driver wears prescription glasses which provide the same
correction as the contact lenses.
FMCSA guidance indicates that a driver should not be certified under these
circumstances.
,Only by federal exemption.
The driver is always certifiable under these conditions. Correct Ans -
FMCSA guidance indicates that a driver should not be certified under these
circumstances.
Explanation: FMCSA guidance indicates that contact lenses that correct one
eye for distance and one eye for near vision are not acceptable.
Guidance recommends not to certify with ear problem diagnoses of:
Correct Ans - a) Uncontrolled vertigo.
b) Ménière's disease.
c) Nonfunctioning labyrinth.
d) Nonfunctioning fistula.
The medical examiner's role in the exemption process includes _________.
Issuing the exemption.
Issuing the prescription for the driver's contact lenses and/or glasses.
Providing the driver with contact information for the Federal Vision
Exemption Program.
Assuring that the driver has peripheral vision of at least 110 degrees in each
eye. Correct Ans - Providing the driver with contact information for
the Federal Vision Exemption Program.
Explanation: The medical examiner's role in the exemption process is limited
to performing the driver examination and providing the driver with contact
information for the FMCSA related to the exemption process.
An audiometric test produces the following results: Left ear: 500 Hz, 35dB
Loss; 1,000 Hz, 35 dB loss; 2,000 Hz 45 dB loss. Right ear: 500 Hz, 40 dB loss;
1,000 Hz, 45 dB loss; 2,000 40 dB loss. What is the certification?
Certify for one year.
Certify for two years.
Do not certify.
,Certify only when accompanied by hearing aid. Correct Ans - Certify
for two years.
Explanation: Drivers with an average hearing loss of < 40 decibels averaged
across 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear may be certified for two years.
What eye conditions must the medical examiner ask the driver about?
Cataracts, color deficiencies, retinitis pigmentosa, aphakia, glaucoma.
Lazy eye, cataracts, aphakia, floaters, retinopathy.
Glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, color deficiencies.
Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration. Correct
Ans - Retinopathy, cataracts, aphakia, glaucoma, macular degeneration.
Explanation: These are the "ask about" vision conditions. The medical
examiner may ask the driver about any eye conditions, but should ask the
driver about these specified conditions.
Which of the following drivers' tests meet hearing certification standards?
Whisper test 4 feet right ear, 3 feet left ear.
Whisper test 5 feet right ear with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear without hearing
aid.
Audiogram left 30/500 Hz, 40/1000 Hz, 60/2000 Hz; right 25/500 Hz,
35/1000 Hz, 80/2000 Hz.
Audiogram left 35/500 Hz, 50/1000 Hz, 40/3000 Hz; right 35/500 Hz,
35/1000 Hz, 60/3000 Hz. Correct Ans - Whisper test 5 feet right ear
with hearing aid, 3 feet left ear without hearing aid.
Explanation: Whisper test results require 5 feet in at least one ear for passing,
with or without a hearing aid. Audiometric testing results require an average
of 40 dB loss in the better ear for results averaged across 500, 1000, and 2000
Hz. Although testing may be performed at 3000 Hz, results obtained are not
used to determine whether the driver meets hearing requirements.
A driver has loss of hearing in the better ear of 25 dB loss at 500 Hz, 40 dB
loss at 1000 Hz, and 60 dB loss at 2000 Hz. With respect to the hearing
requirement for medical certification, the driver __________.
, May be certified for one year.
May be certified for two years.
May not be certified.
May be certified if examined by an otolaryngologist who is familiar with the
CMV driving duties who certifies the driver as medically qualified to drive a
CMV. Correct Ans - May not be certified.
Explanation: An average hearing loss of 41.7 decibels averaged across 500,
1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear is disqualifying. The driver should be
referred to obtain a hearing aid and may be certified if the driver passes while
wearing a hearing aid. A specialist cannot determine certification, and a
specialist cannot override medical qualification standards such as the
minimum hearing requirement.
Which of the following is acceptable for a driver who wears a hearing aid?
Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a
qualified specialist.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by the medical examiner
using audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by an audiologist or
otolaryngologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed at 1,000 Hz only.
Correct Ans - Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver
presents a letter from a qualified specialist.
Testing the hearing of a driver who wears a hearing aid may be accomplished
in three ways: 1) whisper test, 2) audiometric testing by an otolaryngologist
using specialized audiometric testing equipment, or 3) audiometric testing by
an audiologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment. Audiometric
testing is required to be conducted at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz.
Passing Requirements for Vision Tests Correct Ans - Corrective lenses,
eye glasses and/or contact lenses may be used.
Distance binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye with or
without corrective lenses. Field of vision of at least 70º in the horizontal
meridian in each eye. Monocular vision - vision meeting requirements in only
one eye - is disqualifying by regulation.
