Medical Review Board (MRB)
Task Statement 17-1 

I. Task Title 
Recommendations to the Agency on the Revision of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Medical Examiners Handbook (MEH).

II. Background
Determining a driver’s medical status to enable the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is a critical element of FMCSA’s safety program. First posted at FMCSAs website in 2008, the MEH provided guidance to Medical Examiners (MEs) on the physical qualification examination.  

Since its publication, MEs and stakeholders have utilized the MEH as a reference, applying information as if it were regulation. This raised questions about the applicability to the physical qualification standards. FMCSA removed the MEH from our web-site in 2015. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs 49 CFR 391.41 and 49) provide the basic driver physical qualification standards for interstate commercial operators.  MEs make physical qualification determinations on a case by case basis. The goal for a revised MEH is that the MEs will be able to use it to assist in making these determinations in conjunction with established best medical practices.

III. Task
The Agency tasks the MRB with reviewing and streamlining the MEH. This includes the removal of non-regulatory directive language and the update and removal of obsolete information. 

IV. Estimated Time to Complete Task: The MRB should deliberate at its 
September 26-27 meeting and submit its recommendations to the Agency by the end of 2017.

V.  FMCSA Technical Representatives 
* Christine A. Hydock, Chief of Medical Programs, (202) 366-4001
* Eileen Gregory-Nolan, Nurse Consultant, FMCSA, (202) 366-4001