CDME Module 2: Vision, Hearing, Diabetes Mellitus-2-2: Vision FR Announcement

2-2: Vision FR Announcement

Pdf Summary

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has sent a message to Medical Examiners (MEs) regarding the Alternative Vision Standard. The new standard, published on January 21, 2022, allows individuals who do not meet the existing vision requirements to be qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle without obtaining an exemption. Under the new standard, certified medical examiners, in consultation with an ophthalmologist or optometrist, can determine whether to grant a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) for up to one year using the Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA-5871. The effective date for the final rule and the Vision Evaluation Report is March 22, 2022.<br /><br />As a result of the new standard, the Federal vision exemption program is no longer necessary. Medical examiners should not mark the box for a Federal vision waiver/exemption on the Medical Examination Report (MER) Form or the MEC Form. Individuals previously qualified through a vision exemption must now be qualified by a medical examiner using the new alternative vision standard. They must provide a Vision Evaluation Report signed and dated by an ophthalmologist or optometrist no more than 45 days before the examination. The medical examiner ultimately decides the qualification, and the Vision Evaluation Report must be retained as part of the MER Form for three years.<br /><br />FMCSA stopped accepting applications for new exemptions or renewal of exemptions under the Federal vision exemption program on January 21, 2022. Individuals holding exemptions have until March 22, 2023, to be medically certified under the alternative vision standard. After that date, all MECs issued with vision exemptions will become void. The transition to the new standard will be communicated to exemption holders, applicants, and grandfathered drivers through a letter from FMCSA.<br /><br />The grandfather provision for drivers under the previous vision waiver study program will be eliminated on March 22, 2023. Medical examiners can continue to physically qualify individuals under this provision until that date. However, individuals qualified under the grandfather provision have until March 22, 2023, to be medically certified under the alternative standard, after which all MECs issued under the provision will become void.<br /><br />FMCSA has also posted a webinar on their website for medical examiners to learn more about the new alternative vision standard and their responsibilities in its application to individuals with monocular vision. The webinar can be found on the FMCSA website.

Keywords

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FMCSA

Medical Examiners

Alternative Vision Standard

commercial motor vehicle

certified medical examiners

ophthalmologist

optometrist

Vision Evaluation Report

Medical Examiner's Certificate