DOT CORRECT FINALS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔The driver admits during the examination that he drinks frequently, usually only on
the weekends, maybe a total 12 to 14 beers each week to help him unwind. The
examiner provides a "CAGE" questionnaire and the driver scores a 1 on the
questionnaire. The rest of the examination is unremarkable. The examiner should:
a. Disqualify the driver until evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional.
b. Certify the driver for 1 year if he agrees to attend AA meetings.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year with a clearance from his PCP.
d. Certify the driver for 2 years. - ✔✔Correct answer is "D". Despite admitting to drinking
up to 14 beers a week, with less than a score of 2 on the CAGE questionnaire, and
showing no other clinical evidence to indicate a current active diagnosis of alcoholism,
the driver would be certified for up to 2 years.
✔✔A driver exhibits clubbing of the fingers. The examiner should consider:
a. Certification for 1 year if the rest of the examination is normal.
b. Referral to a pulmonary specialist prior to certification.
c. Obtaining an ETT prior to certification. d. Obtaining a PFT prior to certification. -
✔✔Correct answer is "B". The driver shows signs of clubbing of the fingers which is
most closely associated with pulmonary disease, but can be cause by other etiologies
such as cardiac disease. Referral to a pulmonary specialist is the most correct answer
for the purposes of the NRCME exam.
✔✔A driver is prescribed "Bentyl" for his Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He reports that the
condition is well managed and he has had no difficulty driving over the past few years.
The examiner should:
a. Disqualify the drive because Bentyl is a disqualifying medication.
b. Obtain clearance from the treating provider.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year.
d. Certify the driver for 2 years. - ✔✔Correct answer is "D". The driver's condition and
treatment appear to be safe, stable, and not a risk to safe driving.
, ✔✔When asked to differentiate traffic signal green, red, and amber using colored cards,
the driver can differentiate which color is which, but reports that the red card actually
appears "greenish grey" and green card appears "grayish". What is the next step?
a. Disqualify the driver.
b. Certify the driver for 2 years.
c. Refer the driver to a vision specialist for color deficiency evaluation.
d. Take the driver to a traffic signal to verify passage of the vision standard. -
✔✔Correct answer is "B". To pass the color vision standard, drivers are only required to
differentiate traffic signal green, red and amber. It does not matter what color they
actually report seeing.
✔✔Of the following medical conditions, which one is most likely to cause a restriction of
peripheral vision:
a. Macular degeneration.
b. Cataracts.
c. Glaucoma.
d. Diabetic retinopathy. - ✔✔Correct answer is "C". The classic symptom of glaucoma is
limited peripheral vision
✔✔A driver reports a history of previously being treated for alcoholism. He continues to
attend AA meetings, and reports being in remission for over 5 years. He does not take
any medication to control his alcoholism. His examination is free of any signs of
alcoholism and is otherwise unremarkable. The examiner provides a CAGE
questionnaire and the driver scores a 0 out of 4. The best certification decision would be
to: a. Certify the driver for 1 year. b. Certify the driver for 2 years. c. Temporarily
disqualify the driver until that have been to a SAP. d. Temporarily disqualify the driver
until you receive clearance from their PCP. - ✔✔Correct answer is "B". Certify for a
period of 2 years. Had there been signs of alcoholism, an SAP evaluation would have
been required. Voluntary attendance at self-help meetings is not disqualifying
✔✔All of the following meet the FMCSA definition of epilepsy except: a. 2 or more
unprovoked seizures. b. 2 or more provoked seizures. c. 2 or more unprovoked seizures
controlled by medication. d. A clinical diagnosis of epilepsy from a neurologist. -
✔✔Correct answer is "B". Provoked seizures due to a known cause (not epilepsy) are
not part of the FMCSA definition of epilepsy.
✔✔The driver suffers from Stage 1 hypertension. There is no previous history of
hypertension, the driver may be certified for - ✔✔1 year.
✔✔Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in pts left wrist. Additionally, she reports using a brace at
night, taking NSAIDS as needed, and seeing her PCP and a physical therapist for
treatment. She has no current restrictions from work. Her grip strength in her right and
left hand is 5/5. The rest of her examination is unremarkable. The best next step is:
a. Disqualify the driver and require her to apply for an SPE.
b. Certify the driver but require more frequent monitoring.
ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔The driver admits during the examination that he drinks frequently, usually only on
the weekends, maybe a total 12 to 14 beers each week to help him unwind. The
examiner provides a "CAGE" questionnaire and the driver scores a 1 on the
questionnaire. The rest of the examination is unremarkable. The examiner should:
a. Disqualify the driver until evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional.
b. Certify the driver for 1 year if he agrees to attend AA meetings.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year with a clearance from his PCP.
d. Certify the driver for 2 years. - ✔✔Correct answer is "D". Despite admitting to drinking
up to 14 beers a week, with less than a score of 2 on the CAGE questionnaire, and
showing no other clinical evidence to indicate a current active diagnosis of alcoholism,
the driver would be certified for up to 2 years.
✔✔A driver exhibits clubbing of the fingers. The examiner should consider:
a. Certification for 1 year if the rest of the examination is normal.
b. Referral to a pulmonary specialist prior to certification.
c. Obtaining an ETT prior to certification. d. Obtaining a PFT prior to certification. -
✔✔Correct answer is "B". The driver shows signs of clubbing of the fingers which is
most closely associated with pulmonary disease, but can be cause by other etiologies
such as cardiac disease. Referral to a pulmonary specialist is the most correct answer
for the purposes of the NRCME exam.
✔✔A driver is prescribed "Bentyl" for his Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He reports that the
condition is well managed and he has had no difficulty driving over the past few years.
The examiner should:
a. Disqualify the drive because Bentyl is a disqualifying medication.
b. Obtain clearance from the treating provider.
c. Certify the driver for 1 year.
d. Certify the driver for 2 years. - ✔✔Correct answer is "D". The driver's condition and
treatment appear to be safe, stable, and not a risk to safe driving.
, ✔✔When asked to differentiate traffic signal green, red, and amber using colored cards,
the driver can differentiate which color is which, but reports that the red card actually
appears "greenish grey" and green card appears "grayish". What is the next step?
a. Disqualify the driver.
b. Certify the driver for 2 years.
c. Refer the driver to a vision specialist for color deficiency evaluation.
d. Take the driver to a traffic signal to verify passage of the vision standard. -
✔✔Correct answer is "B". To pass the color vision standard, drivers are only required to
differentiate traffic signal green, red and amber. It does not matter what color they
actually report seeing.
✔✔Of the following medical conditions, which one is most likely to cause a restriction of
peripheral vision:
a. Macular degeneration.
b. Cataracts.
c. Glaucoma.
d. Diabetic retinopathy. - ✔✔Correct answer is "C". The classic symptom of glaucoma is
limited peripheral vision
✔✔A driver reports a history of previously being treated for alcoholism. He continues to
attend AA meetings, and reports being in remission for over 5 years. He does not take
any medication to control his alcoholism. His examination is free of any signs of
alcoholism and is otherwise unremarkable. The examiner provides a CAGE
questionnaire and the driver scores a 0 out of 4. The best certification decision would be
to: a. Certify the driver for 1 year. b. Certify the driver for 2 years. c. Temporarily
disqualify the driver until that have been to a SAP. d. Temporarily disqualify the driver
until you receive clearance from their PCP. - ✔✔Correct answer is "B". Certify for a
period of 2 years. Had there been signs of alcoholism, an SAP evaluation would have
been required. Voluntary attendance at self-help meetings is not disqualifying
✔✔All of the following meet the FMCSA definition of epilepsy except: a. 2 or more
unprovoked seizures. b. 2 or more provoked seizures. c. 2 or more unprovoked seizures
controlled by medication. d. A clinical diagnosis of epilepsy from a neurologist. -
✔✔Correct answer is "B". Provoked seizures due to a known cause (not epilepsy) are
not part of the FMCSA definition of epilepsy.
✔✔The driver suffers from Stage 1 hypertension. There is no previous history of
hypertension, the driver may be certified for - ✔✔1 year.
✔✔Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in pts left wrist. Additionally, she reports using a brace at
night, taking NSAIDS as needed, and seeing her PCP and a physical therapist for
treatment. She has no current restrictions from work. Her grip strength in her right and
left hand is 5/5. The rest of her examination is unremarkable. The best next step is:
a. Disqualify the driver and require her to apply for an SPE.
b. Certify the driver but require more frequent monitoring.
