Medical Considerations

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) considers several factors when determining if a motorist is safely able to operate a vehicle.

Vision

Before you will be allowed to apply for or renew your Missouri driver's license, you'll be required to complete a short vision screening. The standard minimum acuity required is at least 20/40 with either or both eyes. For peripheral reading, the standard is at least 55 degrees in each eye, or 85 degrees in one eye. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can use them during the test.

If you do not pass, you may be sent to an optometrist for further evaluation. You will only be denied a driver's license if both your natural and corrected vision are worse than 20/160, or your peripheral combined vision is worse than 70 degrees.

Hearing

Hearing impairment is not considered sufficient reason to deny a resident's driving privileges, since a commitment to constant alertness can easily compensate for this disability.

Drivers who suffer from partial or total deafness can have the "J88" notation placed on their license. This quickly alerts law enforcement personnel of a driver's special communication needs in the event of an emergency.

If you wish to add the "J88" notation to your license, you will need:

• A certified affidavit (DOR-4942), available from your nearest driver's license exam station

• A statement from a licensed medical professional verifying your level of hearing loss

• A statement from one of the following agencies verifying your hearing loss:

• The Missouri Commission for the Deaf

• Social Security Administration

• A vocational rehabilitation program

• A federal, state, or county department of health

• An independent living center

Seizures

You must be seizure free for at least six months to obtain a driver's license. You'll also need a doctor's recommendation that it is safe for you to operate a motor vehicle. Periodic medical updates may also be required once you are issued your license.

While many states do allow for appeals if your driver's license is denied due to a seizure disorder, the Missouri DOR does not. All departmental decisions are considered final.

Older Drivers

Older drivers are not automatically considered unfit to operate a motor vehicle at a certain age. However, it is important for you to be aware of any conditions that may affect your driving ability. For example, many older Missouri residents take prescription medications that cause drowsiness as a side effect.

If you notice one or more of the following, it is recommended that you meet with your healthcare provider to see if it is still safe for you to drive:

• Difficulty following traffic signals

• Problems remembering how to travel to familiar places

• Trouble making decisions in traffic, such as not knowing when to yield the right of way

• Accidentally traveling at incorrect or unsafe speeds

• Becoming angry, disoriented, or confused while driving

Reporting an Incompetent Driver

The Missouri DOR encourages all residents within the state to do their part to help keep roads safe for everyone. It's easy to report someone you suspect may not be able to safely operate a motor vehicle by submitting a completed Driver Condition Report to your nearest driver's license exam station. You must provide your personal contact information on the report, but this information will be kept confidential unless the DOR is legally required to release it.

For details, visit the Reporting an Unsafe Driver page on the DOR Web site.

Parents or guardians of drivers under the age of 18 have the absolute authority to request that a license be revoked, regardless of the driver's physical or mental condition. After the report is filed, the teen driver will lose his or her license until the age of 18, or until the person who filed the report removes the complaint.

Physicians, while not legally obligated to report unsafe drivers, may do so if they feel it falls within their ethical obligation to patient safety. Missouri law also grants a physician who reports a patient in good faith civil immunity from any damages that might arise from making the report. Additional information is available on the Physician Reporting of Unsafe Drivers page of the DOR Web site.

Adjusting to Life without a Driver's License

While losing your driver's license may feel like an attack on your independence, Missouri has many excellent public transportation resources that can help you maintain your mobility. In addition, there are several community groups that work to provide transportation assistance to elderly or disabled residents.

If you're concerned about having a valid source of photo identification, you may apply for a non-driver ID card at any driver's license exam station.

Testing Accomodations

Contact your nearest exam station about any special requirements you might have for your driving test.

You can also find valuable information about driving in Missouri with a disability in our section on the topic.