NRCME | FMCSA DOT Medical Examiners Exam Questions and Answers

Waiting period after MI - 2 months Waiting period after CABG - 3 months Waiting period after TIA - 1 year Waiting period after CVA involving cerebellum or brainstem - 1 year Role of the SAP - To evaluate the drivers who have violated drug or alcohol standards and provide a plan of care for reinstatement Minimum required PaO2 on ABG - 65 mmHg at altitudes 5000 ft 60 mmHg at altitudes 5000 ft Minimum FEV1 on PFT - 65 % Minimum FEV1 / FVC on PFT - 65% Minimum FVC on PFT - 60% Indications for spirometry - Hx of lung disease + symptoms of cough, SOB, wheezing or chest tightness Vision standards - binocular and distant vision of at least 20/40 in each eye +/- corrective lenses field of vision at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye able to distinguish red, green, and amber colors of a stoplight Waiting period after CVA involving cortical or subcortical areas - 5 years Waiting period for bacterial meningitis with early seizures - 5 years seizure free and off anticonvulsant medications Waiting period for viral encephalitis with early seizures - 10 years seizure free and off anticonvulsant medications Criteria for epilepsy exemption - seizure free for 8 years on or off medications; must have been stable on meds with no changes in dosage or frequency for 2 years, recertification every year Waiting period for single, unprovoked seizure - 5 years seizure free and off anticonvulsants Waiting period for moderate TBI with early seizures - 5 years seizure free and off anticonvusants Waiting period for moderate TBI without early seizures - 2 years seizure free and off anticonvulsants Waiting period for mild TBI with early seizures - 2 years seizure free and off anticonvulsants Waiting period for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - 2 months asymptomatic Waiting period for acute and chronic peripheral vesibulopathy - 2 months asymptomatic Waiting period after heart transplant - 1 year Max certification period post heart transplant - 6 months Waiting period after aneurysm repair - 3 months Certification criteria for atrial fibrillation on warfarin/coumadin - Waiting time: 1 month (stabilized on meds) INR: monthly Certify: 1 year Requirements to certify AAA - 4 cm aneurysm and asymptomatic or 4-5 cm and asymptomatic and cleared by cardiology Disqualification criteria for AAA - symptomatic, recommendations for surgical repair regardless of size, 4-5 cm without cardiology clearance, 5 cm, or increase in aneurysm size by 0.5 cm or more during a 6 month period regardless of size Waiting period after ECT - 6 months; Maintenance or ongoing ECT for depression is not certifiable. Minimum gross vehicle weight that will require a DOT medical exam for the driver - 10,001 lbs Assessment of L4 nerve root pathology - Patellar reflex Mood disorder waiting period - 6 months symptom free following a nonpsychotic major depression unaccompanied by suicidal behavior Minimum is 1 year symptom free following a severe depressive episode, a suicide attempt, or a manic episode Commercial motor vehicle - any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle: (1) Has a combined gross vehicle weight or weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more; (2) Is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers (including the driver)for compensation; or Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or Transports hazardous materials in quantities that require placards under the hazardous materials regulations