NRCME Vision and Hearing Requirements 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 58-year-old driver reports using progressive bifocal lenses and has corrected acuity of 20/30 in each eye. He cannot read the near vision line without his glasses. What restriction applies?
- No restriction; near vision is not tested by FMCSA
- Must wear corrective lenses while driving (Correct answer)
- Disqualified; near vision of less than 20/40 is a disqualifier
- Must have separate distance and reading glasses
Correct answer: Must wear corrective lenses while driving
Because the driver requires corrective lenses to meet the distant vision standard, a 'corrective lenses' restriction is placed on the certificate; near vision is not a separate FMCSA standard.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes FMCSA's approach to hearing aid use by commercial drivers?
- Hearing aids are prohibited in CMV operation
- Hearing aids may be used to meet the hearing standard, and drivers must wear them while driving (Correct answer)
- Hearing aids are permitted but their use is not documented on the medical certificate
- Drivers using hearing aids must obtain a separate federal waiver
Correct answer: Hearing aids may be used to meet the hearing standard, and drivers must wear them while driving
FMCSA permits hearing aids to meet the whispered voice standard; if needed, drivers must wear the aid while operating and this restriction is noted on the certificate.
Question 3: A driver had LASIK surgery 3 weeks ago. His current corrected acuity is 20/25 in each eye, but the operating ophthalmologist has not yet cleared him for return to driving. What should the medical examiner do?
- Certify immediately; acuity meets the standard
- Defer certification and consider specialist clearance before certifying (Correct answer)
- Issue a 30-day certificate pending ophthalmologist report
- Certify if the driver signs a waiver of liability
Correct answer: Defer certification and consider specialist clearance before certifying
Post-surgical visual stability may not be fully established weeks after refractive surgery, and the examiner should defer certification until the treating specialist clears the driver.
Question 4: During examination, a driver is unable to perceive any color differences on the Ishihara plates. He argues he has driven safely for 20 years. What is the FMCSA-compliant action?
- Certify based on his long safety record as a mitigating factor
- Assess whether he can functionally distinguish red, green, and amber traffic signals (Correct answer)
- Disqualify immediately; failure of Ishihara plates is an automatic disqualifier
- Issue a 1-year certificate and refer for formal color vision evaluation
Correct answer: Assess whether he can functionally distinguish red, green, and amber traffic signals
FMCSA requires ability to distinguish traffic signal colors; a specific test instrument is not mandated, so the examiner should assess functional color recognition rather than relying solely on Ishihara results.
Question 5: A driver who holds a valid FMCSA Vision Exemption returns for recertification. His exempt eye now has worsened to no light perception. What action should the examiner take?
- Renew the certificate; the exemption covers the driver regardless of changes
- Certify because the exemption is permanent once granted
- Notify FMCSA and evaluate whether the exemption conditions are still met (Correct answer)
- Disqualify and instruct the driver to reapply for a new exemption
Correct answer: Notify FMCSA and evaluate whether the exemption conditions are still met
Changes in the driver's medical condition must be reported and evaluated; the examiner should notify FMCSA and determine whether the driver still meets the conditions of the exemption.
Question 6: A driver with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss uses two hearing aids. With both aids, he can hear a whispered voice at 5 feet when tested. How should the medical examiner document and certify?
- Certify without restriction; hearing aids are not a notable finding
- Certify with a 'must wear hearing aids while driving' restriction (Correct answer)
- Disqualify; bilateral hearing loss is always disqualifying for CMV operation
- Certify with annual audiometry requirement
Correct answer: Certify with a 'must wear hearing aids while driving' restriction
The driver meets the FMCSA whispered voice standard with hearing aids, so certification is appropriate with the restriction that hearing aids must be worn while driving.
Question 7: Which of the following scenarios represents a driver who meets ALL FMCSA vision and hearing standards without any restrictions?
- 20/40 corrected acuity, 70-degree horizontal field, can distinguish traffic colors, hears whisper at 6 feet uncorrected (Correct answer)
- 20/40 acuity with glasses only, normal fields, can distinguish colors, hears whisper at 5 feet without aid
- 20/30 uncorrected acuity, 65-degree field in one eye, normal color vision, hears whisper at 5 feet
- 20/40 corrected acuity, 70-degree fields, color blind to red-green, hears whisper at 7 feet
Correct answer: 20/40 corrected acuity, 70-degree horizontal field, can distinguish traffic colors, hears whisper at 6 feet uncorrected
Option A meets all standards — 20/40 acuity, 70-degree peripheral field, ability to distinguish traffic signal colors, and hearing whispered voice at 5+ feet — all without requiring corrective devices.
NRCME Vision and Hearing Requirements 5
A 58-year-old driver reports using progressive bifocal lenses and has corrected acuity of 20/30 in each eye.
He cannot read the near vision line without his glasses.
What restriction applies?