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

Universal Citation: 13 CA Code of Regs 28.21

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 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.

(b) The department shall require a person applying for a restricted Class A driver license to complete and submit to the department a Health Questionnaire, form DL 546 (Rev. 11/2004), provided by the department, pursuant to Section 28.23.

(c) If an applicant for a restricted Class A driver license does not meet the medical requirements set forth in subdivision (a), the department may issue a restricted Class A license under any of the following conditions:

(1) The department does not meet the minimum medical requirements set forth in subdivision (a) because of a physical condition wherein safe driving ability can be determined by driving examination and, in the opinion of the department, the defect is compensated for to insure safe driving ability; or

(2) The department determines, upon evaluation of competent medical evidence, that the condition or conditions do not affect the driver's ability to drive safely and may reasonably be expected not to affect the driver's ability to drive safely within two (2) years.

1. New section filed 9-12-2000; operative 10-12-2000 (Register 2000, No. 37).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)(9)(A) and (b) filed 10-18-2005; operative 11-17-2005 (Register 2005, No. 42).

Note: Authority cited: Section 1651, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 12804.12 and 12804.14, Vehicle Code.

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