Medical Conditions

Vision

Driver license applicants must have a visual acuity of at least 20/40 in one eye to pass the vision test.

Glasses or contacts may be used to meet this standard, but if corrective lenses are used, they must be worn whenever driving.

Deaf

If you're hard of hearing or deaf, you must have mirrors on the outside of your car.

Elderly Drivers

Once a driver reaches the age of 65, licenses are renewed at a five-year cycle, instead of the usual ten-year cycle. Drivers need to pass a vision test in order to have their license renewed.

Seizures and Other Medical Conditions

When completing a new license or license renewal application, you'll be asked if you have any medical conditions possibly preventing you from driving safely, and if you've experienced a loss of consciousness within the past 12 months.

If you answer positively to either one (or both) questions, your doctor will need to complete a medical report about your health and submit it to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The DMV will review the report, and you may be denied a license, given a license with limited driving privileges, or granted a license with some restrictions attached, such as having to file periodic medical reports with the DMV.

The DMV may also require more medical or driver testing before a decision is made.

Seizure-Free for Six Months

Before applying for a license, you must be seizure-free for the preceding six months.

Reporting an Unsafe Driver

Only doctors, law enforcement officials, and court officials may file a report with the DMV about an unsafe driver.

Depending on the report, the DMV may require the driver submit a medical form completed by the driver's doctor. After reviewing the report, the agency may require more testing, or make a ruling to allow the license to remain as is, place restrictions on it, or cancel it.

Drivers have the right to appeal the decision.