Medical Considerations

Reporting Medical Conditions

There are several medical conditions you must report to the MVA.

The Medical Conditions

The MVA provides a list of medical conditions you must report online, as well as in All You Need to Know about Your Driver's License, the first part of the driver handbook. Conditions deal with:

• Physical impairments and conditions, such as loss of limb, diabetes, heart conditions, strokes, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis.

• Brain and mental conditions such as manic depressive disorders, schizophrenic disorders, anxiety disorders, and organic brain syndrome.

• Any condition that causes lapse of consciousness, such as seizures and epilepsy.

• Drug and alcohol addiction.

• Any condition that prevents you from meeting requirements, such as the vision requirement.

When To Report

You must report a medical condition when you first apply for a license, when you renew your license, or as soon as the condition is diagnosed.

How To Report

Gather up the following information:

• Your name.

• Your date of birth.

• Your mailing address.

• Your license number.

• Details about your medical condition.

Submit the information to your local MVA office or the MVA Driver Wellness and Safety Division.

What Now?

In short, you'll wait for the Driver Wellness and Safety Division (DW&S) to contact you, then you'll follow the Division's instructions. The Division may refer your case to the Medical Advisory Board (MAB), at which point you'll wait for the Board's instructions. The MVA provides a more detailed outline online.

The DW&S and the MAB will determine whether your medical condition requires any license restrictions. See below for more information on those restrictions.

License Restrictions

Depending on your medical condition, the MVA may place medical restrictions on your license. For example, the MVA may require you to have the following:

• Corrective lenses.

• Prosthetic aid.

• Automatic transmission.

• Outside mirrors.

• Adaptive equipment such as hand controls, spinner knobs, and left foot accelerators.

The MVA may also place restrictions on your driving habits, such as:

• Allowing you to drive only during daylight hours.

• Permitting you to drive only within a specific geographical area.

• Prohibiting you from driving on interstates, expressways, and beltways.

License restrictions are handled during your license application process or after you self-report your medical condition. The MVA will issue you a new license including your medical restrictions at no cost unless you're within six months of expiration. At this point, you'll need to go ahead and renew your license.

Common Medical Considerations

Vision

In order to obtain a Maryland driver's license, you must have 20/40 vision in each eye and a continuous vision field of at least 140 degrees.

However, you can apply for the Modified Vision Program if your vision is worse than 20/70 but not worse than 20/100 and you have a continuous vision field of at least 110 degrees.

All drivers must pass addition vision tests each time they renew their licenses.

Hearing

Hearing impairments don't slow down Maryland drivers―or, at least, they shouldn't! Once you test for and obtain your license, the MVA will place the necessary restrictions on your license. Simply abide by them and you're good to go.

When you call to schedule your driver exam, inform the operator of your hearing impairment so the two of you can make sure your testing vehicle meets any requirements. Applicants with hearing impairments can call the MVA's telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) at (800) 492-4575.

Aging Drivers

There is no age at which Maryland drivers must start renewing their licenses more frequently, nor is there an age at which they're required to enroll in any kind of defensive driving course.

However, the MVA may deny a license to any person who is 70 years old or older who can't prove they've previously had a Maryland driver's license, or who can't provide written consent from a physician stating he or she is competent to drive.

Reporting an Incompetent Driver

The process to report an incompetent driver depends largely on the factors making the driver unfit to operate a motor vehicle. The best approach is to contact an MVA customer service representative. From there, you'll be given instructions specific to the details you provide.

However, if you feel a loved one's driving skills are impaired due to aging or medical conditions, you can bypass MVA customer service and contact the Medical Advisory Board at (410) 768-7511 for instructions specific to the situation.

Testing Accommodations

When you call to schedule your driving test, make sure you tell the operator about any disability or other medical condition that necessitates special testing accommodations.

Call (888) 212-4709 to schedule a driving exam. If you have a hearing impairment, you can call the MVA's telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) at (800) 492-4575 to make special testing accommodations.

Medical Forms

You can find medical-related forms:

• In DMV.ORG's Forms section.

• In DMV.ORG's Drivers with Disabilities section.

• On the MVA Documents for Downloading Web page.

Additional Information

The following Web pages may provide you with the additional information you seek:

• Medical Advisory Board Referral

• Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund Referral of a Problem Driver

• Driver Wellness And Safety

• Removal of a Restriction