When Are Medical Evaluation Forms Needed?
Medical evaluation forms are most often needed to determine whether a driver is still physically and mentally capable of operating a vehicle safely.
A driver's capacity to operate a motor vehicle safely can be called into question by your healthcare providers or law enforcement officers. Such requests generally follow either a motor vehicle stop or accident when there are questions concerning the operator's eyesight, hearing, or ability to react quickly enough on the road. Healthcare providers and law enforcement officers can report medically impaired drivers to the RMV at any time.
What Types Of Medical Evaluation Forms Are There?
While a standard Medical Evaluation Form for the RMV is required to be filled out by a driver's medical doctor or physician upon their request, there are also other medical-related forms that can be submitted to the RMV, including:
• Applications for disabled parking
• Vision screenings for Class D driver's license
• Vision screenings for Class M driver's license
• Vision screenings for CDL licenses
• 7D school bus and school pupil medical certificate application
• Medical Evaluation Form
• Loss of Consciousness Evaluation Form
• Psychiatric Evaluation Form
Loss Of Consciousness Evaluation Form
Loss of consciousness forms are required to be filled out by a driver's medical doctor or physician whenever there is evidence that an operator has a loss of consciousness or like incident.
Immediate Threat Medical Suspension
Immediate threat medical suspensions allow the Registry of Motor Vehicles to impose an indefinite license suspension if they determine that a driver's physical or mental condition makes them a danger to public safety and/or makes them unfit to operate a motor vehicle.
Under immediate threat medical suspensions, there is no set date when your license will be reinstated.
If your license has been suspended indefinitely, you should first contact an attorney who specializes in license reinstatements after immediate threat medical suspensions. They understand the hearing process and can prepare you for any questions you may face from the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Board of Appeals. Attorneys will represent you and ensure that the RMV and Board of Appeals have all the paperwork and evidence they need to fairly assess your case.
Can You Challenge A Medical License Suspension?
Yes. As soon as you receive a notice of suspension you are eligible to move forward with reinstating your right to operate. If the RMV denies your request to reinstate your license, you can appeal their decision through the Board of Appeals.
An experienced attorney can navigate the process of appealing their decision with you. For example, if your license was suspended due to a medical incident that led to an accident, that does not mean your license should be taken away forever. Having an experienced attorney will give you the best chance of getting you back on the road.
Attorneys can prepare you for the questions you might face from the Board of Appeals. During the hearing, they will represent you and ensure that the Board of Appeals has any evidence that may support your case. You will enter the hearing being as prepared as possible, giving your case a higher chance of success.
Medical Standards For Driver's Licenses
To receive a Class D or Class M driver's license, you must have at least 20/40 distant visual acuity in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, and with no less than 120 degrees peripheral vision. You must also be able to distinguish red, green, and amber color.
CDL drivers must pass a medical exam by the United States Department of Transportation.
What Kinds Of Medical Restrictions Can Be Placed On Licenses?
In certain cases, the Registry of Motor Vehicles may determine that a restriction needs to be placed on a driver's license due to a medically related reason. Aside from restrictions, certain drivers may be eligible to apply for a disability placard, which allows them to park in designated disability parking spaces.
The following are some of the restrictions that can be placed on licenses:
• Daylight only: Drivers are only allowed to operate a motor vehicle from dawn to dusk.
• Drivers must wear corrective lenses when operating a motor vehicle.
• Drivers are only allowed to operate motor vehicles with automatic transmissions.
• No freeways: Drivers are not allowed to drive on any freeways. This restriction typically occurs when the drivers are determined to have slower response times to the vehicles around them.
• No motorcycles: Drivers are only allowed to operate cars, not motorcycles.
• Sugar Restrictions
In addition to common medical restrictions, the RMV can place conditions on licenses requiring drivers to make use of certain modifications to motor vehicles, such as adding a second set of controls for the passenger seat (brakes, throttles, etc.).
Medical Evaluation Forms FAQ
Question: Who performs a medical evaluation?
Answer: Medical evaluations are performed by qualified medical doctors or care physicians. Vision screenings are conducted either in the RMV or by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Question: Who can report a driver for a medical evaluation?
Answer: Medical doctors and physicians or law enforcement officers can report drivers for medical evaluations. If you are at the RMV and they question your mental or physical ability to operate any motor vehicle, they can also require a medical evaluation.
Question: Who fills out a medical evaluation form?
Answer: Medical evaluation forms are filled out by the medical doctor or care physician conducting the exam.
Question: Do I need an attorney for a medical evaluation?
Answer: If you have been issued an immediate threat license suspension, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process to reinstate your license. Additionally, if you feel that you have unjustly suspended, contact an attorney immediately. They can help you assess your case and determine if any action needs to be taken to represent you.
