NRCME DOT Certification Exam Practice
Questions (2024–2025)
Question 1
What is the minimum PaO2 level required for a driver with a chronic respiratory disorder
undergoing arterial blood gas (ABG) testing to be certified?
A. 70 mm Hg
B. 55 mm Hg
C. 60 mm Hg
D. 65 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D. 65 mm Hg
Rationale: FMCSA guidelines require a PaO2 of at least 65 mm Hg for drivers with chronic
respiratory disorders to ensure adequate oxygenation for safe CMV operation.
• A: Too high; FMCSA does not require 70 mm Hg.
• B: Too low; indicates severe hypoxemia, disqualifying the driver.
• C: Below the required 65 mm Hg threshold.
• D: Meets FMCSA standard.
Question 2
What is the minimum waiting period after a myocardial infarction (MI) before a driver can be
considered for certification?
A. 1 month
B. 2 months
C. 3 months
D. 6 months
Correct Answer: B. 2 months
Rationale: FMCSA mandates a 2-month waiting period post-MI, with cardiologist clearance and
no symptoms.
• A: Too short; does not meet FMCSA requirements.
• C, D: Too long; 2 months is sufficient if criteria are met.
• B: Correct per FMCSA guidelines.
Question 3
A driver with monocular vision has a visual acuity of 20/40 in the better eye. Can they be
certified?
A. Yes, without restrictions
,B. Yes, with a vision exemption
C. No, due to monocular vision
D. No, due to insufficient visual acuity
Correct Answer: B. Yes, with a vision exemption
Rationale: Monocular drivers can be certified with a federal vision exemption if they meet
criteria, including 20/40 in the better eye.
• A: Incorrect; exemption required for monocular vision.
• C: Incorrect; monocular vision is not an automatic disqualification.
• D: Incorrect; 20/40 is sufficient.
• B: Correct with exemption.
Question 4
What is the maximum certification period for a driver with controlled hypertension?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 3 months
Correct Answer: B. 1 year
Rationale: Drivers with controlled hypertension (BP <140/90) can be certified for up to 1 year.
• A, D: Too short; used for uncontrolled or stage 3 hypertension.
• C: Too long; 2 years is for healthy drivers.
• B: Correct per FMCSA.
Question 5
A driver uses insulin for diabetes. Can they be certified?
A. No, insulin use is disqualifying
B. Yes, with an insulin exemption
C. Yes, without restrictions
D. No, due to risk of hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B. Yes, with an insulin exemption
Rationale: Insulin-treated drivers can be certified with a federal diabetes exemption if stable and
monitored.
• A, D: Incorrect; exemption allows certification.
• C: Incorrect; exemption required.
• B: Correct per FMCSA.
Question 6
, What is the minimum hearing requirement for a driver to be certified?
A. Whisper test at 3 feet in both ears
B. Whisper test at 5 feet in one ear
C. Audiometric test <50 dB average
D. Whisper test at 10 feet in one ear
Correct Answer: B. Whisper test at 5 feet in one ear
Rationale: FMCSA requires hearing a forced whisper at 5 feet in at least one ear or audiometric
thresholds ≤40 dB.
• A: Incorrect; only one ear needed.
• C: Incorrect; threshold is ≤40 dB.
• D: Too long a distance.
• B: Correct.
Question 7
A driver has a history of epilepsy. Can they be certified?
A. Yes, if seizure-free for 1 year
B. Yes, if on anticonvulsants
C. No, epilepsy is disqualifying
D. Yes, with a neurologist’s clearance
Correct Answer: C. No, epilepsy is disqualifying
Rationale: FMCSA considers epilepsy (recurrent seizures) a disqualifying condition due to crash
risk.
• A, B, D: Incorrect; epilepsy is an absolute disqualification.
• C: Correct.
Question 8
What is the maximum blood pressure allowed for a 2-year certification?
A. 140/90
B. 160/100
C. 139/89
D. 180/110
Correct Answer: C. 139/89
Rationale: BP ≤139/89 allows a 2-year certification; higher BP shortens certification.
• A, B, D: Exceed threshold for 2-year certification.
• C: Correct.
Question 9
Questions (2024–2025)
Question 1
What is the minimum PaO2 level required for a driver with a chronic respiratory disorder
undergoing arterial blood gas (ABG) testing to be certified?
A. 70 mm Hg
B. 55 mm Hg
C. 60 mm Hg
D. 65 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D. 65 mm Hg
Rationale: FMCSA guidelines require a PaO2 of at least 65 mm Hg for drivers with chronic
respiratory disorders to ensure adequate oxygenation for safe CMV operation.
• A: Too high; FMCSA does not require 70 mm Hg.
• B: Too low; indicates severe hypoxemia, disqualifying the driver.
• C: Below the required 65 mm Hg threshold.
• D: Meets FMCSA standard.
Question 2
What is the minimum waiting period after a myocardial infarction (MI) before a driver can be
considered for certification?
A. 1 month
B. 2 months
C. 3 months
D. 6 months
Correct Answer: B. 2 months
Rationale: FMCSA mandates a 2-month waiting period post-MI, with cardiologist clearance and
no symptoms.
• A: Too short; does not meet FMCSA requirements.
• C, D: Too long; 2 months is sufficient if criteria are met.
• B: Correct per FMCSA guidelines.
Question 3
A driver with monocular vision has a visual acuity of 20/40 in the better eye. Can they be
certified?
A. Yes, without restrictions
,B. Yes, with a vision exemption
C. No, due to monocular vision
D. No, due to insufficient visual acuity
Correct Answer: B. Yes, with a vision exemption
Rationale: Monocular drivers can be certified with a federal vision exemption if they meet
criteria, including 20/40 in the better eye.
• A: Incorrect; exemption required for monocular vision.
• C: Incorrect; monocular vision is not an automatic disqualification.
• D: Incorrect; 20/40 is sufficient.
• B: Correct with exemption.
Question 4
What is the maximum certification period for a driver with controlled hypertension?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 3 months
Correct Answer: B. 1 year
Rationale: Drivers with controlled hypertension (BP <140/90) can be certified for up to 1 year.
• A, D: Too short; used for uncontrolled or stage 3 hypertension.
• C: Too long; 2 years is for healthy drivers.
• B: Correct per FMCSA.
Question 5
A driver uses insulin for diabetes. Can they be certified?
A. No, insulin use is disqualifying
B. Yes, with an insulin exemption
C. Yes, without restrictions
D. No, due to risk of hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B. Yes, with an insulin exemption
Rationale: Insulin-treated drivers can be certified with a federal diabetes exemption if stable and
monitored.
• A, D: Incorrect; exemption allows certification.
• C: Incorrect; exemption required.
• B: Correct per FMCSA.
Question 6
, What is the minimum hearing requirement for a driver to be certified?
A. Whisper test at 3 feet in both ears
B. Whisper test at 5 feet in one ear
C. Audiometric test <50 dB average
D. Whisper test at 10 feet in one ear
Correct Answer: B. Whisper test at 5 feet in one ear
Rationale: FMCSA requires hearing a forced whisper at 5 feet in at least one ear or audiometric
thresholds ≤40 dB.
• A: Incorrect; only one ear needed.
• C: Incorrect; threshold is ≤40 dB.
• D: Too long a distance.
• B: Correct.
Question 7
A driver has a history of epilepsy. Can they be certified?
A. Yes, if seizure-free for 1 year
B. Yes, if on anticonvulsants
C. No, epilepsy is disqualifying
D. Yes, with a neurologist’s clearance
Correct Answer: C. No, epilepsy is disqualifying
Rationale: FMCSA considers epilepsy (recurrent seizures) a disqualifying condition due to crash
risk.
• A, B, D: Incorrect; epilepsy is an absolute disqualification.
• C: Correct.
Question 8
What is the maximum blood pressure allowed for a 2-year certification?
A. 140/90
B. 160/100
C. 139/89
D. 180/110
Correct Answer: C. 139/89
Rationale: BP ≤139/89 allows a 2-year certification; higher BP shortens certification.
• A, B, D: Exceed threshold for 2-year certification.
• C: Correct.
Question 9
