Color vision test for DOT physical

Here is the regulation:
http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/mehandbook/hearing4.aspx

The term "better ear" is always used and at the bottom you'll notice the requirements say "in one ear".

 

BLUE, RED, GREEN, what colors are those words? Seriously though, they used pages with color dots forming shapes or letters. I had to tell them what the shape was.

Hearing test is a joke. The "whisper test", has no scientific basis and would not hold up if challenged. I wear hearing-aids, and recently had to replace them. My doctor, is familiar with this hearing test and would have no problem going after a DOT examiner who failed someone based on the whisper test.

 

You must be able to hear a forced whisper in one or boths ears from 5 feet away with or without the use of a hearing aid. Example: If I whisper 10 from five feet away, you must be able to repeat what I said..In this case, 10. If you cannot hear a forced whisper in at least one ear, you will need to have a audiometric test done. The audiometric test results must indicate that you do not have a greater than 40dB loss of hearing in the good ear.

 

I was wanting to let you know that it would not be up to your doctor to go after a DOT examiner. The DOT examiner has the final say on medical qualification. If your doctor provided a hearing test that showed you did not have a greater that 40 dB hearing loss, the medical examiner could pass the driver, assuming the driver had no other disqualifying conditions.

 

I know this is an old discussion but what you stated there doc isn't what the regulation says. The regulation states "perceive" a whisper, it says nothing about hearing or repeating a spoken word. This is why so many people are failing the DOT medical exam. Medical examiners are misinterpreting and misapplying the regulations. I failed an exam for this very reason and it did me no good to argue my point because nurse practioners are always right. The same examiner refused to administer the 'alternate color vision test' because the Ishimara test is the only one she has to administer, according to her.

There is no standardization for DOT medical exam and examiners make it up as they go.

 

Actually, the FMCSA has a standardization in place for medical examiners. It's called the medical examiner's handbook and the guidance contained inside it is MANDATORY for all MEs. Where there is some leeway it is noted. If you ever run into an ME that says they will only go by the Ishimara color vision test they are OUT of compliance with the FMCSA and you should report them using the procedures found in 386.12.

Understand, the handbook says "Ability to recognize and distinguish among the colors of traffic signals and devices showing the standard red, amber, and green". The reason having a ME fail you for not being able to pass that Ishimara test is that test is used to determine problems with a specific color. I can't pass it. I think about 40% of the entire male population also can't. That test is basically useless for testing the ability to see and determine those 3 colors. This is why many clinics have those 3 colors either at the top or bottom of the vision test or close to it. The nurse asks what do you see.

About 3 years ago I reported a Medical Examiner to the FMCSA for doing this very thing. I was sent a redacted copy of the letter with the proper guidance this ME was sent by the FMCSA medical branch! I can't say this loud enough! When you see this kind of BS REPORT them!

 

I think I need to get deeper into my comment. Before 2014 if you come across a jackleg ME all you really were out was the cost of the physical. In today's world, a rogue ME can screw up a driver so bad it can take months to get it unscrewed. MEs today have access to the FMCSA database. If a ME shows you disqualified to drive based on being color blind that can follow you and could keep a driver off the road for months. This is why these MEs MUST do these physical exams according to the exam instructions made by the FMCSA. If they are NOT doing it by the book, the FMCSA needs to know. This is why you should report a ME that is not following the FMCSA guidance on these exams.

 

I'll explain my situation a little deeper as well. I've been a pilot since 1985, commercial pilot since 2004. I have never failed a flight physical. My color vision deficiency was discovered early on and I was given a demonstrated ability test by the FAA, I correctly identified light gun signals for red, green, amber and white from ~200 yds away. I was given a SODA (statement of demonstrated ability) by the FAA, it has no expiration. I explained this to my DOT medical examiners but it has little to no bearing on my exam, they still trot out the Ishimara test. My AME doesn't even give me a color vision test, the waiver is sufficient proof.
Just today I called the local TA Truck Stop medical examiner (chiropractor), hoping to get an exam but he basically failed me on the phone for the color vision and hearing. I chose not to throw another $125. away so I did not go to that examiner.
I'm a Class C w/P retirement home bus driver making $15. an hour. I got my CDL at my expense specifically for this job because they have a 16 passenger bus. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze for me anymore. It's very frustrating because I'm not overweight, in excellent health and take no medication.

 

I too am a Private Pilot, but long ago gave up my medical. These MEs are NOT following the FMCSA guidance. Here is what I recommend you do. There are many active drivers on these boards. Give us your general location and I would be willing to bet somebody knows of an ME that is doing it the correct way. I would NOT give up.

 

Thanks Moose. I live in Thompson Station, Tennessee, just south of Nashville. I'm going to CareNow tomorrow morning at 8:00a.