Medical Considerations

Unsafe Drivers

The Office of Driver Services (ODS) may suspend your license if the agency suspects your are unfit to safely operate a vehicle. You'll receive a suspension notice, which will give the effective suspension date, as well as a hearing date.

At the hearing, you may give the agency more information about your medical conditions, and state why your license shouldn't be suspended. Failing to appear for the date, though, will result in an automatic suspension.

To be considered for reinstatement, you'll need to be examined by a licensed Arkansas physician, who must submit a report to the ODS. The agency will then review the report, and make a decision whether you'll be permitted to resume driving. As a reinstatement condition, you may need to pass all the driver license tests again.

If your license was suspended because you suffer from epileptic seizures or diabetic blackouts, you must show that these conditions are under control, and that you aren't experiencing any more of these episodes, before your driving privileges can be reinstated.

Vision Requirements

To qualify for an unrestricted driver's license, you must have a visual acuity of at least 20/40, without the aid of glasses or contacts. For a restricted license, which means you must wear contacts or glasses while driving, you must have a visual acuity of at least 20/50.

Additionally, those with two functional eyes must have a field vision of at least 140 degrees, while those with one functional eye need to have a minimum visual range of 105 degrees.

Reporting an Unsafe Driver

If you feel someone may no longer be fit to safely drive due to old age or a medical condition, you may send a letter to the Office of Driver Control expressing your concerns.

Include as much detailed information as possible about why you feel the driver is unfit to drive, and give pertinent information about the driver's identity, such as the full name, address, license plate number, driver license number, date of birth, or Social Security number. The more information you can provide, the easier it is for the agency to identify the correct person.

Your letter will trigger an investigation, and a letter will be sent to the driver. The driver will have the opportunity to express his or her version of the situation at a meeting with a hearing officer.

The meeting may lead to a request that the driver be examined by a physician, and may mean having to take either or both the written and driving tests again. Should the driver decide not to follow through on the requests, or if the driver fails any of the tests, the license will automatically be cancelled.

Please note that your letter is not confidential, and the driver can find out who filed the report. Send the letter to:

• Office of Driver Control

• P.O. Box 1272

• Little Rock, AR 72203