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From the National Association of the Deaf website.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has been advocating on behalf of drivers who are deaf and hard of hearing and who wish to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). The United States Department of Transportation (DOT), through its regulations, has long required individuals seeking CDLs to satisfy Physical Qualification Standards before becoming eligible to receive a CDL. These Physical Qualification Standards include a requirement that drivers prove they can “first perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid” or “not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid . . .” in order to obtain a CDL. See 49 C.F.R. § 391.41(b)(11). As a result of this regulation, individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing have long been unfairly barred from driving commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

The NAD attended the June 30, 2011 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) Medical Review Board Public Meeting which discussed Cochlear Implants among other issues. The Board recommended that CI users be allowed only to take the audiometric hearing test and not the forced whisper test. This is discriminatory as it creates a separate and unequal class for CI users. Regardless, the NAD remains strongly opposed to any hearing requirements for CDL and there is absolutely no evidence that deaf and hard of hearing people are higher crash risks than the rest of the population. The FMSCA Medical Review Board has made these decisions based on prejudice and not objective standards.

The public had until  July 14th to submit written comments in response to the June 30th hearing.

Learn more  – HERE

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2 Comments

    1. I Was going back to trucking after retiring. The obstacle whisper test not only would most truckers not pass the Whisper Test but if you lined up 10 good hearing people I doubt most would pass.
      It is the most unscientific test I’ve seen. How loud of a whisper? Ridiculous, all of us can hear train horns, sirens, etc. All drivers should strike so no freight is moved. I failed with 2 hearing
      aids. I couldn’t believe it.

      JOHN THOMPSON | 03/15/12 | 5:03 pm

    2. Hello All

      I have CDL for 20 years and totally Deaf myself. I do have passenger, sectional, motorcycle endorsement on my license- CDL.
      I took CDL in April 1991 when it started all “Commerical Drivers” from States were mandated to take the CDL. I passed all included air brakes.

      Been driving school buses for 20 years and I enjoy very much included school activities and sports.

      Now with new air brakes on the buses, the school is starting to questioning about Deaf Drivers who already had CDL about the air brakes. Oh Geesh! Why start all over again after been doing for 20 years!

      If you guys/gals have articles or anywhere in the DOT that Deaf Drivers can have CDL included air brakes, let me know immediately.

      Thanks a Bunch!

      I strongly support anyone including Deaf, Hard of Hearing, HC person etc can have CDL.

      Chris | 08/08/11 | 9:23 am