NRCME - National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners Vision and Hearing Requirements Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CMV driver is undergoing a hearing assessment. The medical examiner performs a forced whisper test. To pass this test, the driver must be able to first perceive a forced whispered voice at what minimum distance?
- 3 feet in the better ear
- 5 feet in both ears simultaneously
- 5 feet in the better ear (Correct answer)
- 10 feet in the better ear
Correct answer: 5 feet in the better ear
According to FMCSA regulation §391.41(b)(11), a driver is physically qualified if they can first perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid.
Question 2: A 55-year-old driver fails the forced whisper test during his recertification exam. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step for the medical examiner to take?
- Disqualify the driver immediately
- Refer the driver for an audiometric test (Correct answer)
- Certify the driver for 3 months pending re-evaluation
- Require the driver to obtain a hearing aid and repeat the whisper test
Correct answer: Refer the driver for an audiometric test
If a driver fails the whisper test, the regulations allow for an alternative test. The driver must be referred for an audiometric test. If the driver passes the audiometric test, they can be qualified.
Question 3: Which of the following represents the minimum vision standards required for a CMV driver to be qualified without needing to meet the alternative vision standard?
- Distant visual acuity of 20/50 in each eye and a horizontal field of vision of 60°
- Distant visual acuity of 20/40 in the better eye, 20/70 in the other, and a horizontal field of vision of 70°
- Distant visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye and a horizontal field of vision of 70° in each eye (Correct answer)
- Binocular visual acuity of 20/40 and the ability to distinguish red and green signals only
Correct answer: Distant visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye and a horizontal field of vision of 70° in each eye
The FMCSA standard requires a driver to have a distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye, with or without correction, a distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40, and a horizontal field of vision of at least 70 degrees in each eye. The driver must also be able to recognize standard red, green, and amber traffic signals.
Question 4: A driver with stable, long-standing monocular vision wishes to be certified under the new alternative vision standard. The driver provides a Vision Evaluation Report (Form MCSA-5871) from an optometrist. What is the maximum certification period a medical examiner can grant for this individual?
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 2 years
- 12 months (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 12 months
Under the alternative vision standard that became effective in March 2022, a driver who qualifies can be issued a Medical Examiner's Certificate for a maximum period of 12 months (1 year).
Question 5: To pass the audiometric hearing test, a driver's average hearing loss in the better ear cannot be greater than 40 decibels (dB) at which of the following frequency ranges?
- 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1,000 Hz
- 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz (Correct answer)
- 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, and 4,000 Hz
- 500 Hz, 2,000 Hz, and 4,000 Hz
Correct answer: 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz
The FMCSA regulation states that if an audiometric device is used, the driver must not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz, with or without a hearing aid.
Question 6: A commercial driver is found to have difficulty distinguishing between red and green traffic signals but has a visual acuity of 20/20 in both eyes. What is the correct determination regarding their ability to meet the vision standard?
- Qualified, as color vision is not a mandatory requirement.
- Disqualified, as the ability to recognize standard traffic signal colors is required. (Correct answer)
- Qualified for daytime driving only.
- Qualified if they pass a practical road test administered by the examiner.
Correct answer: Disqualified, as the ability to recognize standard traffic signal colors is required.
A mandatory component of the FMCSA vision standard is the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber. Failure to do so is disqualifying.
