Medical Conditions

Driving Restrictions

If you have any health problems, the DMV may place restrictions on you for safety reasons, including:

• Wearing glasses or corrective contact lenses, if you fail the visual acuity test of 20/40 vision (your eye doctor will need to complete a vision report)

• No freeway driving

• Driving a vehicle with an additional right side mirror

• Driving from sunrise to sunset (no nighttime driving)

• Time of day restriction (for example, not during rush hour)

• Using adequate support to ensure proper seating position

• Avoiding certain areas

Loss of Consciousness Disorders

In California, physicians are required by law (Heath & Safety Code Section 103900) to report patients diagnosed as having seizures resulting in lapses of consciousness, as well as Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They may also report other conditions that potentially impair driving ability.

Law enforcement, judges, family members, and acquaintances may also request a driver reexamination.

Medical Probations

If a driver is diagnosed with a seizure disorder, he or she may be put on medical probation. There are two types: Type II and Type III:

• Type II means that a driver has achieved three to five months of control over their seizures. In addition, the driver is required to authorize his/her treating physician to complete the Driver Medical Evaluation and submit it for review. Type II is used for those drivers that can be trusted to stop driving on their own if their seizures worsen.

• Type III indicates a driver has achieved six or more months of control, but due to contributing factors there is a slight possibility of recurrence. Thus, the driver is required to report, in writing, on a regular basis to the DMV regarding the status of his/her disorder.

Medical Probation Type II and Type III allow drivers to resume their driving privileges as soon as it is safe to do so, but under different limitations and restrictions.

Driver Reexamination

If you are concerned that someone you know can no longer drive safely for whatever reason, write to the address below. You may also use the Request for Driver Reexamination form (DS 699). You will be asked for:

• Driver's name

• Driver's birth date

• Driver's license number

• Driver's current address

• Brief explanation of what you observed that led you to believe the person is an unsafe driver

• Your signature

Mail your letter to:

• DMV

• Driver Safety Actions Unit

• M/S J234

• P.O. Box 942890

• Sacramento, CA 94290-0001

More Information on Coping with Disabilities

The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, a leader in driver education for the disabled since 1977, has prepared a series of self-help fact sheets pertaining to disabilities and drivers, including:

• Driving after a Stroke

• Driving and Alzheimer's/Dementia

• Driving after a Traumatic Brain Injury

• Driving after a Spinal Cord Injury

• Driving with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Driving with Multiple Sclerosis

• Driving after a Limb Amputation

• Aging and Driving

• Driving and Spina Bifida

• Driving and Cerebral Palsy

• Driving and ADHD