Exam Preperation

Our goal is to provide a comfortable, quick, and efficient experience. The FMCSA has various rules and regulations we must follow before we can issue a certificate. In situations where we need letters from your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or specialist, you can get most of them on our website under forms, which you can then complete with your PCP in advance, or we can complete the exam and place it on hold until your PCP faxes the form to us. 

Blood Pressure

FMCSA requires that your blood pressure be less than 140/90. If we find that your blood pressure is greater than 140/90, we may be able to certify you the same day for one year or 3 months, depending on your blood pressure level. This applies when it is a new diagnosis, and the purpose is to allow you time to establish care with a PCP and to get your blood pressure under control. It can take a long time to see a provider if you are establishing care, and sometimes even if you already have a PCP. If you do not have a provider, you can be seen in our office within 1-2 weeks as a general practice patient to get your blood pressure under control. This is a separate visit after which you can then continue with our office or transition to your regular provider.

Marijuana

Questions about marijuana are not uncommon since it is legal in Oregon. However, as you know or will soon learn, it is not allowed for commercial driving because it is not legal federally. It is a common issue for a person preparing to attend a trucking school who has legally used marijuana in the past month or two to wonder if it will be positive on their drug test. THC stores in fat, so your body composition significantly affects this answer. In general, we have seen THC be positive at 1-2 months and three months or more in some cases. If this is a concern for you, Rogue Medical offers a rapid drug screen with laboratory confirmation for a nominal fee. No test is 100 percent, so this is not a guarantee, but your chances of a positive result are minimal if you first test negative on our rapid test or even a home test from your pharmacy. Suppose you do not check with a rapid drug test, and then you test positive for marijuana on a federal test. In that case, you will need to complete a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) program before you are allowed to retest. The retest will be a “return to duty” and a mandatory observed collection.

Blood Pressure Cuffs

High blood pressure is the most common complication. Home BP cuffs are widely available and relatively inexpensive. Since this concerns your ability to work and your safety, we suggest getting one and checking your BP regularly. Automatic cuffs are convenient, but always purchase the upper arm cuff – not the wrist cuff. The accuracy of wrist cuffs varies depending on where your wrist is positioned relative to your heart when taking the measurement. Alternatively, you can check your BP at many pharmacies.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes, we will need a clearance form from your PCP. It is available on our website under Forms in the top-left corner of the home page. As noted above, you can have this completed before your visit, or you can have your PCP fax it to us. 

Sleep Apnea

When using a sleep apnea machine, we need either a letter from your provider stating that you are compliant with FMCSA requirements or a report from your machine confirming compliance. For FMCSA, CPAP compliance means you use it for at least 4 hours per night at least 70% of the time. 

Hearing

You must be able to hear a forced whisper in at least one ear from no less than 5 feet. If you can’t do this, you probably know it. You should consider visiting a hearing aid specialist. We can arrange for hearing testing in our office through Rogue Hearing, which can also sell, fit, and repair hearing aids for you if needed. Rogue Hearing is a separate business we share the Phoenix office with. If hearing aids are not for you, we can complete and issue a CDL that will be valid with a hearing Waiver. You would need to get the hearing waiver from the FMCSA.

Vision

You must have distance vision in each eye of 20/40 or better with or without correction. If you need correction, you must bring it with you. Contacts are acceptable, but be aware that the FMCSA also requires you to carry a backup pair of glasses when driving commercially. Recent changes allow you to meet the 20/40 criteria in only one eye if approved by an ophthalmologist who completes the “Alternate Vision Form,” available on our website.

Controlled or Sedating Medication

If you are prescribed controlled or sedating medications, we will need a letter from the prescriber. Stating they feel you are safe to “drive commercially” while using the controlled medications they prescribe. This is a specific federal form for controlled meds, which is available on our website. Not all PCPs are willing to do this, so we recommend discussing it with your prescriber in advance.

Specialists

If you see any specialist for a medical condition, you should get a clearance letter from them stating that your condition is under control and that they feel you are safe to drive commercially. If you are not sure – please call, text, or email us, and we will be glad to clarify.