Commercial Driver Medical Examination

​​​​​​​​Marshfield Clinic wants employers of commercial drivers to know there are changes to the Commercial Driver Medical Examination (CDME/CDL) process, Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) and CDME forms. 

These changes are directed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and are effective April 20th, 2016. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration​ provides further infor​mation​.​

Key points 

• ​Driver needs to submit testing and/or medical information to CDME provider within 45 days after their exam to avoid repeat CDME.
  
• Expiration date of MEC is calculated from the day the MEC form is completed, not from the day of the exam.
• MEC is 8 1/2" x 11" document. No longer wallet size.
• CDME forms and MEC format cannot be changed.​​

​Avoid costly retesting 

The greatest impact to employers of commercial drivers and drivers is the possibility of having a repeat CDME exam 45 days after their CDME exam. 

FMSCA requires a driver to repeat the CDME/CDL exam when:​

A driver has his CDME exam and provider needs more information/testing. This places the driver in a determination pending status. The driver will need to submit this information to the CDME provider within 45 days or have a repeat exam including urine and vision screening.

A driver with determination pending status can only drive if his previous Medical Examiner's Certificate is still valid. If it is expired or expires before the needed medical information is given to the CDME provider, the individual is ineligible to drive.

The FMCSA will send the medical provider and the driver a notice stating the driver's Medical Examiner's Certificate has been downgraded if the driver does not receive a Medical Examiner's Certificate within 45 days. 

Preparation for the CDME Exam

Prior to the sc​heduled exam

Medical Records Preparation:

Obtain most current medical records from your primary care provider which should include medical diagnoses & treatment of medical conditions.

If heart attack, heart stent placement or heart surgery you must have documentation of stress test every 2 years and cardiologist's progress notes regarding results of the stress test​

If history of sleep apnea, must have compliance report with the last 3-6 months data.​

Day of the exam

Physically prepare:

• Get adequate sleep
  
• Do NOT smoke/chew tobacco within one hour of exam
  
• Do NOT eat or drink high sugar foods within 3 hours of exam
  
• Do NOT consume energy drinks
  
• Take high blood pressure and diabetes medications as scheduled
  

Bring all necessary items:

• Medical records
  
• List of current medications and dosage
  
• Glasses or contacts worn when driving
  
• Hearing aids
  
• Waiver or exemption certificate documents