Module 1-The FMCSA & The Job Of Commercial Driving

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the FMCSA mission, medical regulations, examiner roles, and the physical/operational demands of commercial motor vehicle driving.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

One of nine administrations in the DOT, created by the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, focused on reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

The federal department that regulates interstate commerce.

FMCSA Office of Medical Programs

The lead federal agency within the FMCSA responsible for the regulation of CMV drivers' health and safety.

National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)

Established on April 10, 2012, to produce trained, certified medical examiners who determine if a CMV driver's health meets FMCSA standards.

Medical Examiner

A person licensed, certified, and/or registered in accordance with State laws to perform physical examinations, including MDs, DOs, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and chiropractors.

Office of Analysis, Research, and Technology (ART)

Provides analytical reports on trends and costs in crashes and prepares economic and environmental analyses for FMCSA rulemakings.

49 CFR 391

The section of the Code of Federal Regulations covering the qualifications of drivers and Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) driver instructors.

49 CFR 391.41

Describes the physical qualification requirements for drivers, using 13 standards to determine medical fitness for duty.

Non-discretionary Standards

Physical standards for vision, hearing, and epilepsy that have objective disqualifiers not depending on medical examiner clinical interpretation.

Discretionary Standards

The nine physical qualification standards where the medical examiner must make a clinical judgment to determine driver certification.

49 CFR 391.43

Describes medical examiner responsibilities, instructions for the examination, driver tasks, and the Medical Examination Report form.

49 CFR 391.47

Describes the process for conflict resolution regarding a disagreement between the driver's primary care provider and the motor carrier's medical examiner.

49 CFR 391.49

The Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certification Program.

49 CFR 391.64

Describes grandfathering for certain drivers who participated in vision and diabetes waiver study programs.

49 CFR 40

Regulations including drug and alcohol testing procedures, as well as rules for medical review officers and substance abuse professionals.

Medical Expert Panel (MEP)

A panel of subject matter experts that reviews evidence reports and issues recommendations to the FMCSA for certifying drivers with specific conditions.

Medical Review Board (MRB)

Established by the Federal Advisory Committee Act to independently review evidence reports and MEP opinions to propose recommendations to the FMCSA.

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

A vehicle used in interstate commerce with a combined weight/rating of $> 10,001\,lbs$, designed to transport $> 8$ passengers for compensation, $> 15$ passengers without compensation, or transporting placarded hazardous materials.

Interstate Commerce

Trade, traffic, or transportation between a place in a State and a place outside that State, or between two places in a State through another State or place outside the US.

Intrastate Commerce

Any trade, traffic, or transportation in any State that is not described as interstate commerce.

Motor Carrier

A for-hire or private carrier, including agents, officers, and employees responsible for hiring, supervising, or maintaining motor vehicle equipment.

Medical Review Officer (MRO)

A licensed physician responsible for receiving laboratory drug test results and evaluating medical explanations for those results.

Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

A person who evaluates employees who violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations and makes recommendations for treatment and follow-up.

Short Relay Route

A driving route that allows the driver to return home every evening.

Long Relay Route

A route requiring 9 to 11 hours of driving followed by at least a 10-hour off-duty period.

Team Operation

Drivers sharing the workload by alternating 5-hour driving periods with 5-hour rest periods.

Three Points of Contact

The safety method required for entering and exiting a vehicle, similar to climbing a ladder.

Vigorous Activity

According to the CDC, loading and unloading a truck is a task that requires exertion of $> 6.0$ metabolic equivalents.