Medical Exam Requirements

Pupil Transportation Annual Physical Requirement:

Federal regulation 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 [External Link]

FMCSA Medical Exam Requirements:

• https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty [External Link]

Medical Regulations and Guidance Resource Links:

• https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical/medical-regulations-and-guidance-resource-links [External Link]

Driver Exemptions:

• https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs [External Link]

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Studies:

• https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/sleep-apnea/driving-when-you-have-sleep-apnea [External Link]

Nebraska Department of Education:

• Rule 91 requires all pupil transportation drivers obtain a DOT physical regardless of license type, and requires a Medical Category selection of A, B, C or D.
  • Category A is to drive for anyone and includes bus contracting companies
  • Category B is to only drive for a school district
  • Category C is the equivalent to A but cannot leave Nebraska
  • Category D is the equivalent to B but cannot leave Nebraska
  • Note: The medical category is not listed on the license
  • All DOT physicals are reported to FMCSA by the medical examiner, and the DMV receives them from FMCSA; drivers no longer send a copy to the DMV.
  • Drivers with CDL’s that no longer drive commercial vehicles but want to retain their CDL without a DOT physical can use/switch to Medical Category B to stop receiving the letters on their medical card from the DMV.
    • You are still required to have a DOT physical per Rule 91 requirements for this category, it’s just not a DMV requirement.
    • The school district is still required to keep a copy of a current medical card on file per Rule 91 requirements, and drivers are still bound by the two-year renewal.
    • Anyone who has a license to be an over the road truck driver will still be bound by the DOT rules.
• Medical exams for all pupil transportation drivers are valid for two years unless the health profession approves the exam for a shorter period due to medical issues of the driver.
  • Drivers will provide the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (last page of medical exam document) to their employer. Only drivers holding a CDL will provide a copy of the Medical Examiners Certificate to FMCSA when required by Federal CDL Regulations.
  • The medical exams 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. For more information and to locate for health professional nearby: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/home [External Link]
• Rule 91 Regulations Governing Driver Qualifications and Operational Procedures for Pupil Transportation Vehicles Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 91:
  • 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