The National Association of the Deaf says more than 20 deaf and hard of hearing truck drivers who submitted applications for an exemption from the DOT hearing requirements are now being considered for full Commercial Driver's Licenses.


As a result of ongoing advocacy, the NAD has convinced the U.S. Department of Transportation to consider waiving its hearing requirements for deaf drivers. The DOT has long required individuals seeking CDLs to satisfy physical qualification standards before becoming eligible to earn a CDL. Those standards include a requirement that unfairly barred deaf and hard of hearing people from driving commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce, says NAD.

The 20 drivers submitted applications for an exemption from the DOT hearing requirements through the NAD in July 2011, and are now being considered for full CDLs, including CDL A and B to drive vehicles with and without airbrakes.

The exemption program is offered free of charge by the NAD to deaf and hard of hearing drivers. The NAD will submit applications to DOT on behalf of qualified drivers. Each driver will be asked to complete an application, and provide a copy of their state driving record and state driver's license.

More info: www.nad.org