FMCSA / NRCME MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
DOT EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE
2026/2027 Official Exam A+
Commercial Driver Physical Qualification & Medical Examiner Standards
A+ QUESTIONS 5 SECTIONS 100% RATIONALES
VERIFIED COMPLETE INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Section 1: Vision, Hearing & Sensory Standards
Section 2: Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure
Section 3: Diabetes, Endocrine & Metabolic
Section 4: Neurological, Sleep & Psychiatric
Section 5: Musculoskeletal, Forms, Certification & Disqualifying Conditions
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
Original practice content aligned to public FMCSA standards • For educational use
, Section 1: Vision, Hearing & Sensory Standards
Q1. A commercial driver candidate presents for a DOT physical. Distant visual acuity is measured at 20/50 in the
right eye and 20/30 in the left eye, both corrected with glasses. Binocular acuity is 20/30. Horizontal field of
vision is 80 degrees in each eye, and color recognition of red, green, and amber is intact. Which
determination is most appropriate under FMCSA standards?
A. Qualify the driver for a full two-year certificate because binocular acuity meets the standard
B. Qualify the driver only if a vision exemption has already been granted by FMCSA
C. Disqualify the driver because each eye must independently meet the 20/40 acuity requirement
D. Issue a one-year certificate and require ophthalmology clearance before renewal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
FMCSA requires distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye separately (with or without correction). The right eye fails this
standard. Binocular acuity alone does not satisfy the regulation; both eyes must individually meet the acuity threshold.
Q2. During a DOT examination the forced-whisper test is performed. The driver fails to correctly identify words
whispered from 5 feet in either ear. An audiometric test is then administered. Which result would still allow
the driver to meet the hearing standard?
A. Complete hearing loss in one ear and 50 dB average loss in the other ear
B. Average hearing loss of 45 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear
C. Average hearing loss of 35 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear
D. Hearing loss of 40 dB at 4000 Hz only, with normal thresholds at lower frequencies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
When the forced-whisper test is failed, the audiometric standard requires that the average hearing loss in the better ear at 500,
1000, and 2000 Hz not exceed 40 dB. An average of 35 dB meets the standard; 45 dB does not.
, DOT EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE — 2026/2027 Page 3
Q3. A driver reports difficulty distinguishing traffic signal colors and is unable to correctly identify red, green, and
amber during testing. Distant acuity and visual fields meet standards. Which action is required?
A. Qualify the driver if the deficiency is limited to one eye and the other eye is normal
B. Issue a certificate contingent on obtaining a color-vision exemption within 30 days
C. Disqualify the driver because the ability to recognize standard traffic signal colors is mandatory
D. Qualify the driver with a restriction limiting night driving only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
FMCSA physical qualification standards explicitly require the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing
standard red, green, and amber. Failure to meet this requirement is disqualifying regardless of acuity or field of vision.
Q4. A driver who wears a hearing aid in the right ear is examined. The forced-whisper test is performed with the
hearing aid in place and is passed at 5 feet. Which documentation is most appropriate?
A. Disqualify the driver because hearing aids are not permitted under FMCSA rules
B. Require removal of the hearing aid and re-test; only unaided hearing may be accepted
C. Note that the hearing aid must be worn while driving and qualify the driver
D. Issue a certificate only after an audiologist provides a formal written clearance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Hearing aids are permitted. If the driver meets the forced-whisper or audiometric standard with the hearing aid in place, the
examiner may qualify the driver and should note that the hearing aid is required while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Q5. A driver’s horizontal visual field measures 60 degrees temporally in the right eye and 75 degrees in the left
eye. Acuity and color vision are normal. Which conclusion follows from the FMCSA standard?
A. The driver fails the standard because each eye must have at least 70 degrees of horizontal field
B. The deficiency is acceptable if the driver has no history of peripheral-vision-related incidents
C. A one-year certificate may be issued with a requirement for annual visual-field testing
D. The driver meets the standard because the average field exceeds 70 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The regulation requires a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye. A measurement of 60
degrees in one eye fails the standard, and averaging the two eyes is not permitted.
DOT EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE
2026/2027 Official Exam A+
Commercial Driver Physical Qualification & Medical Examiner Standards
A+ QUESTIONS 5 SECTIONS 100% RATIONALES
VERIFIED COMPLETE INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Section 1: Vision, Hearing & Sensory Standards
Section 2: Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure
Section 3: Diabetes, Endocrine & Metabolic
Section 4: Neurological, Sleep & Psychiatric
Section 5: Musculoskeletal, Forms, Certification & Disqualifying Conditions
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
Original practice content aligned to public FMCSA standards • For educational use
, Section 1: Vision, Hearing & Sensory Standards
Q1. A commercial driver candidate presents for a DOT physical. Distant visual acuity is measured at 20/50 in the
right eye and 20/30 in the left eye, both corrected with glasses. Binocular acuity is 20/30. Horizontal field of
vision is 80 degrees in each eye, and color recognition of red, green, and amber is intact. Which
determination is most appropriate under FMCSA standards?
A. Qualify the driver for a full two-year certificate because binocular acuity meets the standard
B. Qualify the driver only if a vision exemption has already been granted by FMCSA
C. Disqualify the driver because each eye must independently meet the 20/40 acuity requirement
D. Issue a one-year certificate and require ophthalmology clearance before renewal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
FMCSA requires distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye separately (with or without correction). The right eye fails this
standard. Binocular acuity alone does not satisfy the regulation; both eyes must individually meet the acuity threshold.
Q2. During a DOT examination the forced-whisper test is performed. The driver fails to correctly identify words
whispered from 5 feet in either ear. An audiometric test is then administered. Which result would still allow
the driver to meet the hearing standard?
A. Complete hearing loss in one ear and 50 dB average loss in the other ear
B. Average hearing loss of 45 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear
C. Average hearing loss of 35 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the better ear
D. Hearing loss of 40 dB at 4000 Hz only, with normal thresholds at lower frequencies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
When the forced-whisper test is failed, the audiometric standard requires that the average hearing loss in the better ear at 500,
1000, and 2000 Hz not exceed 40 dB. An average of 35 dB meets the standard; 45 dB does not.
, DOT EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE — 2026/2027 Page 3
Q3. A driver reports difficulty distinguishing traffic signal colors and is unable to correctly identify red, green, and
amber during testing. Distant acuity and visual fields meet standards. Which action is required?
A. Qualify the driver if the deficiency is limited to one eye and the other eye is normal
B. Issue a certificate contingent on obtaining a color-vision exemption within 30 days
C. Disqualify the driver because the ability to recognize standard traffic signal colors is mandatory
D. Qualify the driver with a restriction limiting night driving only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
FMCSA physical qualification standards explicitly require the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing
standard red, green, and amber. Failure to meet this requirement is disqualifying regardless of acuity or field of vision.
Q4. A driver who wears a hearing aid in the right ear is examined. The forced-whisper test is performed with the
hearing aid in place and is passed at 5 feet. Which documentation is most appropriate?
A. Disqualify the driver because hearing aids are not permitted under FMCSA rules
B. Require removal of the hearing aid and re-test; only unaided hearing may be accepted
C. Note that the hearing aid must be worn while driving and qualify the driver
D. Issue a certificate only after an audiologist provides a formal written clearance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Hearing aids are permitted. If the driver meets the forced-whisper or audiometric standard with the hearing aid in place, the
examiner may qualify the driver and should note that the hearing aid is required while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Q5. A driver’s horizontal visual field measures 60 degrees temporally in the right eye and 75 degrees in the left
eye. Acuity and color vision are normal. Which conclusion follows from the FMCSA standard?
A. The driver fails the standard because each eye must have at least 70 degrees of horizontal field
B. The deficiency is acceptable if the driver has no history of peripheral-vision-related incidents
C. A one-year certificate may be issued with a requirement for annual visual-field testing
D. The driver meets the standard because the average field exceeds 70 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The regulation requires a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye. A measurement of 60
degrees in one eye fails the standard, and averaging the two eyes is not permitted.
