California Code of Regulations › Title 13 - Motor Vehicles › Division 1 - Department of Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Department of Motor Vehicles › Article 2.1 - Commercial Driver Licenses › Section 28.21 - Medical Requirements for Restricted Class a Driver License

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) A person
				  applying for a restricted Class A driver license issued pursuant to Section
				  12804.12 or
				  12804.14 of
				  the Vehicle Code shall meet the following minimum medical requirements before a
				  restricted license can be issued:
(1) Color
				  Test. An applicant must be able to recognize the standard red, green, and amber
				  colors of traffic signals and devices.
(2) Peripheral Vision. An applicant must have
				  peripheral vision of 70 degrees or greater in the horizontal Meridian in each
				  eye.
(3) Hearing. An applicant must
				  be able to perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear, without a
				  hearing aid, at a distance of not less than five (5) feet.
(4) Visual Acuity. An applicant's visual
				  acuity must be 20/40 or better in each eye with or without corrective
				  lenses.
(5) Upper and Lower
				  Extremities. An applicant must have:
(A) no
				  loss of a foot, leg, hand, arm, or finger.
(B) no impairment of a hand or finger which
				  interferes with grasping.
(C) no
				  impairment of an arm, hand, foot, or leg, or any other limitation that
				  interferes with the ability to safely operate a motor
				  vehicle.
(6) Diabetes. An
				  applicant must have no history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
				  currently requiring insulin for control.
(A)
				  Prior to evaluation of competent medical evidence as specified in subdivision
				  (c)(2), the department shall not issue a temporary or interim restricted Class
				  A driver license to an applicant who has had a hypoglycemic episode or any
				  adverse reaction related to diabetes in the last three (3)
				  years.
(7) Heart. An
				  applicant must have no current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction,
				  angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other
				  cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope,
				  dyspnea, collapse, stroke, or congestive cardiac failure.
(A) Prior to evaluation of competent medical
				  evidence as specified in subdivision (c)(2), the department shall not issue a
				  temporary or interim restricted Class A driver license to an applicant who has
				  had labored breathing, fainting, collapse, congestive heart failure, or other
				  symptoms in the last three (3) years which may interfere with the ability to
				  safely operate a motor vehicle.
(8) Lungs. An applicant must have no
				  established medical history or clinical diagnosis of a respiratory condition
				  such as emphysema, chronic asthma, or tuberculosis that is likely to interfere
				  with ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
(9) Blood Pressure. An applicant must have no
				  current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure which is likely to interfere
				  with the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
(A) Prior to evaluation of competent medical
				  evidence as specified in subdivision (c)(2), the department shall not issue a
				  temporary or interim restricted Class A driver license to an applicant whose
				  blood pressure is usually 140/90 or higher.
(10) Muscle, Orthopedic, or Vascular
				  Condition. An applicant must have no established history or clinical diagnosis
				  of a rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular
				  disease which interferes with the ability to safely operate a motor
				  vehicle.
(11) Mental Condition. An
				  applicant must have no diagnosis of a mental, nervous, organic or functional
				  disease, or psychiatric disorder which is likely to interfere with the ability
				  to safely operate a motor vehicle.
(12) Epilepsy and/or Lapse of Consciousness.
				  An applicant must have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of
				  epilepsy, or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness
				  or any loss of ability to control a motor vehicle.
(A) Prior to evaluation of competent medical
				  evidence as specified in subdivision (c)(2), the department shall not issue a
				  temporary or interim restricted Class A driver license to an applicant who has
				  had a loss of consciousness or loss of ability to control a motor vehicle in
				  the last three (3) years.
(13) Drugs. An applicant must not use a
				  controlled substance, amphetamine, narcotic, or any other habit-forming drug.
(A) If the applicant is taking a substance or
				  drug that is prescribed by the doctor who is familiar with the driver's medical
				  history and has advised the driver that the substance or drug will not
				  adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, the
				  department may issue a restricted Class A driver license to the
				  applicant.
(14) Alcohol.
				  An applicant must have no current clinical diagnosis of
				  alcoholism.