DOT CERTIFICATION FINAL 2027 ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔Can a medical examiner grant an SPE? - ✔✔No. There are four FMCSA regional
centers.
✔✔Certification period for a SPE certificate? - ✔✔2 years
✔✔Is medicinal marijuana allowed? - ✔✔No
✔✔Who reviews a positive drug screen? - ✔✔MRO (Medical Review Officer)
✔✔Max certification period if on anticoagulation? - ✔✔1 year for heart, disqualified for
brain.
✔✔Maximum allowed hypoglycemia episodes in 12 months and 5 years, respectively? -
✔✔1 and 2
✔✔Are lithium levels required? - ✔✔Yes, by my interpretation.
✔✔Are suboxone and Chantix allowed? - ✔✔Technically, though not recommended.
✔✔Maximum certification period for DM? - ✔✔1 year unless insulin controlled then
disqualified.
✔✔Duration of DM exemption? - ✔✔2 years but must present with quarterly reports and
have annual recertification.
✔✔Waiting period for initial unprovoked seizure? - ✔✔5 years
✔✔Waiting period for multiple seizures (no Dx of epilipsy)? - ✔✔10 years
, ✔✔Maximum AHI for untreated OSA? - ✔✔20
✔✔Waiting period after starting CPAP? - ✔✔1 month
✔✔Length of condition certification for OSA pending eval/treatment? - ✔✔60 days. May
have 1 additional 90 day period for compliance.
✔✔Maximum re-certification for drivers with OSA? - ✔✔1 year
✔✔Minimum compliance with CPAP? - ✔✔4 hours a day on 70% of days
✔✔What is the purpose of the Interstate CMV
driver physical exam? - ✔✔To detect the presence of physical, mental,
or organic conditions of such character and
extent as to affect the driver's ability to
operate a CMV safely. This examination is
for public safety determination and is
considered by FMCSA to be a "medical
fitness for duty" examination.
✔✔What is the mission of the FMCSA? - ✔✔FMCSA is focused on reducing crashes,
injuries and fatalities involving large trucks
and buses.
✔✔Who and what does FMCSA regulate? - ✔✔FMCSA regulates interstate commercial
operation, including driver, vehicle, motor
carrier, and the transport of hazardous
materials.
✔✔Duration of vision exemption? - ✔✔1 year
✔✔Normal LVEF? - ✔✔55-70%
✔✔True/False: Annual documentation from treating provider required for those with
CPAP? - ✔✔True
✔✔Can those with fixed nerve damage get a SPE? - ✔✔Yes
✔✔ What are the differences between the
medical standards and the medical
guidelines? - ✔✔Standards/regulations are law. Guidelines are best practices.
✔✔In which regulation(s) are the driver
physical qualification standards cited? - ✔✔49 CFR 391.41
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔Can a medical examiner grant an SPE? - ✔✔No. There are four FMCSA regional
centers.
✔✔Certification period for a SPE certificate? - ✔✔2 years
✔✔Is medicinal marijuana allowed? - ✔✔No
✔✔Who reviews a positive drug screen? - ✔✔MRO (Medical Review Officer)
✔✔Max certification period if on anticoagulation? - ✔✔1 year for heart, disqualified for
brain.
✔✔Maximum allowed hypoglycemia episodes in 12 months and 5 years, respectively? -
✔✔1 and 2
✔✔Are lithium levels required? - ✔✔Yes, by my interpretation.
✔✔Are suboxone and Chantix allowed? - ✔✔Technically, though not recommended.
✔✔Maximum certification period for DM? - ✔✔1 year unless insulin controlled then
disqualified.
✔✔Duration of DM exemption? - ✔✔2 years but must present with quarterly reports and
have annual recertification.
✔✔Waiting period for initial unprovoked seizure? - ✔✔5 years
✔✔Waiting period for multiple seizures (no Dx of epilipsy)? - ✔✔10 years
, ✔✔Maximum AHI for untreated OSA? - ✔✔20
✔✔Waiting period after starting CPAP? - ✔✔1 month
✔✔Length of condition certification for OSA pending eval/treatment? - ✔✔60 days. May
have 1 additional 90 day period for compliance.
✔✔Maximum re-certification for drivers with OSA? - ✔✔1 year
✔✔Minimum compliance with CPAP? - ✔✔4 hours a day on 70% of days
✔✔What is the purpose of the Interstate CMV
driver physical exam? - ✔✔To detect the presence of physical, mental,
or organic conditions of such character and
extent as to affect the driver's ability to
operate a CMV safely. This examination is
for public safety determination and is
considered by FMCSA to be a "medical
fitness for duty" examination.
✔✔What is the mission of the FMCSA? - ✔✔FMCSA is focused on reducing crashes,
injuries and fatalities involving large trucks
and buses.
✔✔Who and what does FMCSA regulate? - ✔✔FMCSA regulates interstate commercial
operation, including driver, vehicle, motor
carrier, and the transport of hazardous
materials.
✔✔Duration of vision exemption? - ✔✔1 year
✔✔Normal LVEF? - ✔✔55-70%
✔✔True/False: Annual documentation from treating provider required for those with
CPAP? - ✔✔True
✔✔Can those with fixed nerve damage get a SPE? - ✔✔Yes
✔✔ What are the differences between the
medical standards and the medical
guidelines? - ✔✔Standards/regulations are law. Guidelines are best practices.
✔✔In which regulation(s) are the driver
physical qualification standards cited? - ✔✔49 CFR 391.41
