Color vision test for DOT physical

No. The issue though is you as a driver really don't need one. I am sure if you want one you can find a source if you research it. Here is why I say you really don't need one. Every single part of that medical exam is also covered by Subpart E of Part 391. If it is in that subpart it is in the handbook. The primary difference is how the FMCSA wants the examiner to address a problem. But, for something like this topic Subpart E is right off the handbook. That wording is clear.

Has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70° in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber.

That Ishihara test is used to test for Red Green color problems. As I said before a huge section of the Human Male population has a red-green problem of some type. This test is used as a diagnostic test to find these color defect issues. When an FMCSA Medical Examiner uses it then goes on to NOT give a driver a medical based on "failing it" that examiner is 100% out of compliance with how the FMCSA wants this color issues tested.

In post 18 there is a comment about aviation. I too went through this. I got my private pilot in 1991. My medical was good for 2 years. The Doctor that did my medical 3rd class told me he was not comfortable doing it anymore. So I happened to catch a local Physician in my hometown at the local Airport and told him of my plight. This man at the time was also In the Navy Reserve. We set up an appointment at an airport with a control tower and the ATC controller shot the lights at me from the tower. I was able to comply with the rules and this Physician was comfortable giving me my aviation medicals going forward. Last I heard for a simple private pilot the rules are just like for drivers. The ability to see those 3 colors. There is not any regulation that says a person can't operate a CMV with a red-green color defect, and folks this is ALL that dang Ishihara test tests for.

 

I want to add to my comment above. Back in the 70s, I joined the USAF. Part of that was my physical. Part of that physical was testing my vision AND testing to see if I had normal color vision. I did not, I was still able to join, but a lot of the jobs were closed off to me.

Think about those 3 colors, standard red, green, and amber. Where do we see them the largest amount of the time? Yes, in traffic control situations like a traffic control light. If it is so dang dangerous for a driver with a red-green color defect to operate a CMV then it stands to reason someone operating a POV with this same color defect is just as dangerous. I know as I stated a huge section of the human male population has this defect. If this defect was this serious of a problem most likely we would be having MAJOR problems with vehicle crashes at these lights all across the country. We don't because it is NOT a serious problem. It is NOT a problem for the FMCSA or they would change those rules in part 391. Then we have these ignorant Medical Examiners holding a driver to a standard not found anywhere in the rules. This is not the same as the OSA thing. In this situation, many Medical Examiners invested in sleep labs. Some are really crooked and corrupt. With this color testing, it is simple ignorance of the actual rules.

This is my advice for any driver that goes through this. Attempt to get the failure and why on paper. This should be easy as the long-form last time I looked had the area where the examiner says you DO NOT meet the standards. Then file a complaint against that examiner with the FMCSA.

I am attempting to make a point here and having trouble finding the right words. The FMCSA through their rule-making authority set the medical standards for ALL drivers of a CMV. It is the job of the ME to determine if said driver meets those standards. That standard with regard to those three colors is clear and precise. A driver has to know Green Red and Amber when they see them. It is NOT up to an ME to change that standard. As I said in post #16. I complained to the FMCSA about a ME who was doing this. The FMCSA corrected that examiner.

One more point. Before 2014 and the National Examiners Registry the FMCSA only wanted some basic things about the examiners. To the best of my knowledge, there was no real official guidance to them. So much was left up to the examiners. However, it was really easy to "doctor shop". Today it is not easy to do. If a ME finds a driver medically unqualified and makes that a part of the record sent to the FMCSA it is difficult to change. So when an examiner goes rogue, and holds a driver to a nonexistent standard that ME can do great damage to said driver. The FMCSA wants to know when this BS happens. DO NOT allow a ME to do this to you without raising hell with the FMCSA.

 

I'm happy to report that I went to CareNow in Franklin Tennessee and passed my DOT medical exam today. The PA gave me a simple R/G/A test on the eye chart.
It was a straight forward exam, no upsales and it only cost $92.

ETA; I agree with Moose. The DOT regs are just like the FAA regs, you have to hang on every word, none added or taken away.

 

Last time I needed a physical I just googled driver friendly DOT medical exams. Got a couple of leads, made sure they were registered and qualified, and picked one. Passed around his card and now about half the drivers at the Indy terminal use Dr Dixon in Whiteland.

 

Great news! I knew there had to be somebody in that area who knows how to do a physical according to the ACTUAL rules.

 

Every fiber of my being wants to disagree with your comment. Not because you are wrong, but because sadly some MEs simply are not following the rules. A driver should not have to be careful about who they choose to give them a physical. It's a sad state of affairs when a ME won't come off that Ishihara test. That test is being used inappropriately to determine whether a driver can see those 3 colors and is used to diagnose something that is not even part of the DOT physical.

The best way I have said and was also mentioned in comment #25. The colors are right on the vision chart. My last physical was done at the VA Hospital in Hampton Virginia by now-retired Dr. Sager. I remember her eye chart had the colors on it. This is how it should be done. It is simple ignorance of the actual rules and guidance that these MEs are doing this. In a way using the Ishihara test for a driver with a Red-Green color defect is like having a Doctor exam your throat because of a bad case of hemorrhoids.

 

I agree. Driver friendly seems to equal only does what is required by DOT. They don't pencil whip the form they just don't make up their own standards like Concetra and many others. Btw the Dr I spoke of, who is on the DOT registry, is a Chiropractor.