What to bring
- Glasses or contacts, if you wear them. The vision standard can be met with corrective lenses. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(10)
- Your hearing aid, if you use one. The hearing test can be passed with or without one. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(11)
- An examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. Only a registry examiner can do the exam. 49 CFR §391.43(a)
What the exam checks
- Vision: at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without lenses. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(10)
- Field of vision: at least 70 degrees in each eye. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(10)
- Color: you can tell red, green and amber traffic signals apart. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(10)
- Hearing: a forced whisper at 5 feet in the better ear, or an audiometer test. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(11)
- Blood pressure: no current high blood pressure likely to affect safe driving. 49 CFR §391.41(b)(6)
The paperwork
- The examiner records the exam on the Medical Examination Report, Form MCSA-5875. 49 CFR §391.43(f)
- If you qualify, you get the Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA-5876. 49 CFR §391.43(h)
- A certificate lasts up to 24 months. Some drivers get 12 months, such as drivers with insulin-treated diabetes. 49 CFR §391.45(b), (e)
- Since June 23, 2025, CDL holders don’t need to carry the certificate. Other drivers still do. 49 CFR §391.41(a)
Rules from 49 CFR Part 391, Subpart E, checked Oct 26, 2026. Your examiner may ask for more, such as records for an ongoing condition. Ask the clinic when you book.
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