FMCSA Reviving Medical Examiner Handbook

A book providing standards for physical qualifications of drivers will soon be making its return. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is publishing the handbook for the first time since its withdrawal in 2015, according to an Aug. 16 Federal Register notice. The handbook was removed due to some obsolete information. 

The now-updated handbook provides regulatory requirements and guidance for medical examiners to consider when making physical qualification determinations. It also explains how to conduct a physical qualification examination. 

Examiners currently make physical qualification determinations on a case-by-case basis, particularly with the advice of the FMCSA-established Medical Review Board. 

The board has five members with specialties relevant to the FMCSA’s driver fitness requirements. The board has been helping to review the new handbook, the notice states.