Everything You Need To Know About The MCSA-5876 DOT Medical Card
The MCSA-5876 DOT medical card is required for all drivers of commercial motor vehicles in the United States. Here's what you need to know about the examination, as well as any exemptions that may apply.
Why Is the MCSA-5876 DOT Medical Card Required?
The MCSA-5876 DOT medical card is a requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), a federal entity designed to keep everyone safe on the roads. While the DOT typically designs and manages large, intrastate highway construction projects, they also set safety standards for traveling on them. Common DOT safety standards include:
- Setting speed limits
- Advising states on drunk driver laws
- Creating educational programs for new drivers
- Training guidelines for truck drivers
- Generating requirements for CDL or commercial licensure
- Requiring the MCSA-5876 DOT medical card
The DOT's medical card requirements reflect the DOT's goal of keeping everyone safe on America's highways.
What Does the Medical Exam Entail?
In order to earn the DOT medical card, you must pass a medical exam with multiple parts. Each part is equally important and includes the following:
- Vision test. The vision test is conducted using an eye chart like the Snellen eye chart. Drivers with a visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye are considered medically qualified.
- Hearing test. The hearing test assesses the driver's ability to hear a standard tone at different frequencies, measured in decibels.
- Urine test. The urine test is conducted to check for the presence of drug use. This is common practice for most jobs that involve the operation of vehicles or heavy machinery.
Additionally, the DOT medical exam requires a basic physical exam to check for overall good health, including listening to your heart and lungs and checking your reflexes.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Drivers who wear corrective lenses or hearing aids are still eligible to receive a DOT medical card. They just need to prove their exemption with proper documentation. In fact, many drivers with medical conditions may be exempt from the exam, including those with:
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Hearing loss
- Impaired vision
- Sleep apnea
Drivers who have an exemption from the exam must carry documentation from their physician showing that they are medically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Therefore, it's important to always consult with your physician so that you can get the necessary documentation ahead of time.
If you are planning to drive a commercial motor vehicle, you will need to obtain the MCSA-5876 DOT medical card. While it is an extra step required of you to work, it is important for the safety of everyone on the road.
For more info, contact a company like Occupational Medicine Supplies Selling DOT Forms & More.
Share