Physical Qualifications for Drivers - Connecticut

1 Physical Qualifications for DriversA person shall not drive a commercial motorvehicle unless he/she is physically qualified to doso and, except as provided in , has onhis/her person the original, or a photographiccopy, of a medical examiner s certificate that he/she is physically qualified to drive a commercialmotor person is physically qualified to drive a com-mercial motor vehicle if that person: Has no loss of a foot, a leg, a hand, or anarm, or has been granted a Skill PerformanceEvaluation (SPE) Certificate. Has no impairment of: A hand or finger, which interferes withprehension or power grasping. An arm, foot, or leg that interferes withthe ability to perform normal tasksassociated with operating a commercialmotor vehicle; or any other significantlimb defect or limitation which interfereswith the ability to perform normal tasksassociated with operating a commercialmotor vehicle; or has been granted aSPE Certificate.

2 Has no established medical history or clinicaldiagnosis of diabetes mellitus currentlyrequiring insulin for control. Has no current clinical diagnosis ofmyocardial infarction, angina pectoris,coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or anyother cardiovascular disease of a varietyknown to be accompanied by syncope,dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiacfailure. Has no established medical history or clinicaldiagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction likely tointerfere with his/her ability to control and drivea commercial motor vehicle safely. Has no current clinical diagnosis of high bloodpressure likely to interfere with his/her abilityto operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. Has no established medical history or clinicaldiagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic,muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease,which interferes with his/her ability to controland operate a commercial motor vehicle.

3 Has no established medical history or clinicaldiagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition,which is likely to cause loss of consciousnessor any loss of ability to control a commercialmotor vehicle. Has no mental, nervous, organic, or functionaldisease or psychiatric disorder likely tointerfere with his/her ability to drive acommercial motor vehicle safely. Has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 ineach eye without corrective lenses or visualacuity separately corrected to 20/40 or betterwith corrective lenses, distant binocular acuityof at least 20/40 in both eyes with or withoutcorrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70degrees in the horizontal meridian in eacheye, and the ability to recognize the colors oftraffic signals and devices showing standardred, green and amber.

4 First perceives a forced whispered voice in thebetter ear not less than five feet with or withoutthe use of a hearing device, or, if tested byuse of an audiometric device, does not havean average hearing loss in the better eargreater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz,and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing devicewhen the audiometric device is calibrated tothe American National Standard (formerly ASAS tandard) Does not use a controlled substanceidentified in 21 CFR Schedule I, anamphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit-forming drug, with the exception of a drivermay use such a substance or drug, if thesubstance or drug is prescribed by a licensedmedical practitioner who: Is familiar with the driver s medical historyand assigned duties Has advised the driver that the prescribedsubstance or drug will not adverselyaffect the driver s ability to safely operatea commercial motor vehicle.

5 Has no current clinical diagnosis you answer, Yes, to any of the questionsbelow, you may fail to meet the minimumqualifications to hold a Are you missing a hand, foot, arm or leg?2. Do you have an impairment of a hand or finger,which interferes with your ability to grasp?3. Do you have an impairment of a hand, foot, armor leg which interferes with your ability to performnormal tasks associated with operating a com-mercial motor vehicle safely; or any significantlimb defect or limitation which interferes with yourability to perform normal tasks associated withoperating a commercial motor vehicle safely?4. Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of diabetes currently requiringinsulin for control?5. Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of any form of heart disease?

6 6. Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of any form of respiratory orpulmonary (lung) dysfunction?7. Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of high blood pressure?Medical RequirementsforCommercial DriversDannel P. MalloyGovernorMichael R. BzdyraCommissionerState of ConnecticutDepartment of Motor Vehicles60 State StreetWethersfield, CT Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthope-dic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular dis-ease, which interferes with your ability to operatea commercial motor vehicle safely?9. Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condi-tion, which is likely to cause you to lose con-sciousness or lose your ability to control acommercial motor vehicle?

7 10. Do you currently take anticonvulsive medica-tion?11. Do you have an established medical history orclinical diagnosis of mental, nervous, organic orfunctional disorder likely to interfere with yourability to operate and control a commercial motorvehicle safely?12. Is your vision worse than 20/40 in each eyewith or without corrective lenses?13. Is your field of vision less than 70 in thehorizontal meridian in each eye?14. Do you suffer from color blindness that wouldinterfere with your ability to recognize the stan-dard red, green, and amber colors of traffic controlsignals and devices?15. Are you hearing impaired to the degree that ahearing aid is not helpful?16. Do you use illegal drugs or are you onMethadone treatment?17. Are you taking any habit-forming prescriptiondrug or drugs that may interfere with your abilityto operate a commercial motor vehicle safely?

8 No refund of fees will be made to any CDLapplicant who is unable to meet the mini-mum Physical Qualifications to obtain a to applying for a CDL, you should reviewDMV Form R-323, which contains detailedinformation regarding each of the 13 physicalqualifications CDL Drivers must meet. DMV FormR-323 is obtainable off the DMV web site, or youmay request a copy be mailed to you by callingthe Phone Center at 860-263-5700 (GreaterHartford area/out-of-state) or 800-842-8222 (tollfree in CT).DMV Driver Services Division administers a CDLwaiver program for applicants who have one of thefollowing Physical conditions or impairments butmeet the remaining Physical Qualifications : Vision Insulin-dependent diabetes Loss of or impairment of limbWaiver applicants must be CT residents; andwaivers are valid in CT only.

9 Please call 860-263-5720 to obtain complete information regarding obtain forms to apply for a USDOT InterstateWaiver/Exemption, contact the following:Vision Impairment and Insulin-DependentDiabetes: (703)-448-3094 Limb Impairment: (443)-703-2250A Public Service of the:State of ConnecticutDepartment of Motor Vehicles60 State StreetWethersfield, CT. 06161Z-21 Rev. 1/14