Medical Considerations

Vision

Drivers who are 80 years old or over need to pass a vision test in order to renew their license. You can make an appointment to take the free test at a driver's license office.

However, drivers may also take the test in the privacy of their doctor's office. In these cases, the doctor needs to submit a mature driver report and an eye report to the state, complete with the examination results.

Drivers who fail the test may still be eligible for a restricted license, which gives the driver limited privileges. For instance, the driver may only be allowed to drive during daylight hours.

Those who fail to comply with any vision testing requirements will have their license revoked.

The state provides more complete vision testing information for elderly drivers, as well as the vision standards for drivers of all ages.

For additional information, call (850) 617-2000, or send an e-mail to vision@hsmv.state.fl.us

Hearing

If you are deaf or have a difficult time understanding normal conversations, you'll need to have a special mirror placed on your vehicle's left side to able be legally drive. In some cases, though, simply wearing a hearing aid may be sufficient.

Contact the Division of Driver's Licenses (DDL) for more details.

Seizures

If you're applying for a driver's license and indicate you either suffer from epilepsy or have experienced a seizure within the past 24 months, you'll be sent a medical review form. Take the form to your doctor, who must complete it and mail it to the state.

The medical review board will examine the report. Normally, if you've been under regular doctor's care and have been without seizures for at least six months, the board will approve your application.

If you're issued a favorable ruling, you can be granted a license after passing the routine driver's license tests. However, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has the final say on if you receive a license.

If you're granted a license without alerting the state about your seizures or medical condition, you risk having your license revoked at a later date.

Periodic medical testing will be required to keep your driver's license. Ask the Division of Driver Licenses for specific information regarding testing and your particular situation.

Should you be a currently licensed driver and experience a seizure for the first time, report the episode immediately to the DDL. You'll be instructed by the agency as to what to do next.

Medical Denials

If you've been denied a driver's license due to medical conditions, you may contact the medical review board at (850) 617-3814 to determine what you may do to gain your license.

Identification of Medical Conditions

To show that you suffer from a medical condition, such as diabetes, that may require immediate emergency help, go at a driver's license office and ask to have the condition noted on your license. If you wear a medical identification bracelet, you can have that noted, too.

Reporting an Unsafe Driver

Anyone can report a driver to the state who may have a physical or mental condition that makes the person unfit to drive. Although it's best to use the form, you may also write a letter to the state.

The report is confidential, and no legal action can be taken against the person filing the report.

Be sure to include as much specific information as you can on the report, regarding both the identity of the driver and the reasons why you suspect the individual may no longer be capable of driving safely.

The medical review board examines all reports, and investigators will talk to the driver, as well as possibly to the person's family or doctors.

Depending on the results of the investigation, the driver may have to take the driver license tests again, or submit a completed doctor's examination report.

Send the completed form to:

• Division of Driver Licenses

• ATTN: Medical Review Section

• Neil Kirkman Building, MS 86

• Tallahassee, FL 32399-0500

• Fax: (850) 617-5165

• Phone: (850) 617-3814

Additional Information

The Florida GrandDriver program educates and informs both elderly drivers and caretakers about the effects of aging on the ability to drive safely.

The program also provides measures that can be taken to maintain a driver's independence for as long as it safe to do so, and gives guidance on how to handle transportation issues after an individual can no longer drive.

For more information, contact:

• Florida GrandDriver

• Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

• 2900 Apalachee Parkway

• Tallahassee, FL 32399

• Phone: (850) 617-2713

• Web site: http://www.floridagranddriver.com

Additionally, Easter Seals provides a wealth of helpful information to assist those who care for individuals who have lost their driving privileges.