Medical Exam Requirements
Pupil Transportation Annual Physical Requirement:
On May 21, 2014, federal regulation became effective which impacts annual physicals for pupil transportation vehicle drivers. This requirement states that physical exams for drivers holding a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) must be performed by a health professional that is a “Certified Medical Examiner “and who is also listed on the FMCSA’s (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) National Registry. (The health professional must complete a specialized training to become a “Certified Medical Examiner.”)
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners – Location Look Up:
https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/home
FMCSA Medical Exam Requirements:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty
Medical Regulations and Guidance Resource Links:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical/medical-regulations-and-guidance-resource-links
Driver Exemptions
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Studies:
There has been a lot of concern about sleep studies being required for CDL drivers for various reasons – weight, neck size, etc. According to Diane Podany, State Program Manager of FMSCA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), this requirement was retracted. However, Diane said FMCSA is aware that some physicians have continued to include it as part of the CDL physicals they conduct even though it is not a requirement of the process.
Nebraska Department of Education:
005.02A9 Functional capacity of a pupil transportation driver and a process to confirm a driver’s ability to conduct daily tasks and emergency evacuations.
Program Contacts
- Stephanie DeGroot: (402) 540-0649 or stephanie.degroot@nebraska.gov
- Bryce Wilson: (402) 471-4320 or bryce.wilson@nebraska.gov