Medical Review of Drivers
Medical Review
To ensure the safety of motorists on Virginia's
highways, drivers must meet certain
requirements including vision, medical and
mental standards.
Overall medical review requirements are based
on the Code of Virginia as well as guidance
from DMV’s Medical Advisory Board.
Medical Advisory Board
The seven members are
• appointed by the Governor
• licensed physicians
• currently practicing in Virginia
DMV’s Goal
To allow people to drive as long as they
can drive safely.
Reviewing Drivers
DMV is concerned about drivers with
impairments in:
• Level of consciousness
• Vision
• Judgment
• Motor skills
Reviewing Drivers
Each case evaluated on its own merits.
Reviewing Drivers
DMV identifies drivers for review by
• Driver’s license applications
• Reports of impaired drivers
Driver’s License Application
Medical questions on the DMV application
include:
• Vision conditions
• Physical and/or mental condition that requires
medication
• Seizure, blackout or loss of consciousness
• Condition that requires the use of special
equipment to drive
Reports of Impaired Drivers
DMV receives reports from:
• Law enforcement
• Physicians
• Courts
• DMV representatives
• Relatives
• Concerned citizens
Reports of Impaired Drivers
Statutes that encourage reporting of
impaired drivers:
• Virginia Code § 46.2-322
• Virginia Code § 54.1-2966.1
Reports of Impaired Drivers
HIPAA Regulations section 164.512 (j)
Standard: for uses and disclosures to avert a
serious threat to health or safety. It states…
permitted disclosures, that a covered entity
may, consistent with applicable law and
standards of ethical conduct, use or disclose
protected health information, if the covered
entity, in good faith, believes the use or
disclosure:
Reports of Impaired Drivers
HIPAA Regulations section 164.512 (j)
• Is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious
and imminent threat to the health or safety of
a person or the public, and
• Is to a person or persons reasonably able to
prevent or lessen the threat, including the
target of threat
Reports of Impaired Drivers
DMV accepts reports by
• Email
medreview@dmv.virginia.gov
• Mail a letter or DMV report form (MED3) to:
DMV Medical Review Services
Post Office Box 27412
Richmond, Virginia 23269-0001
• Fax a letter or DMV report to (804) 367-1604
Reports of Impaired Drivers
Reports of Impaired Drivers
Information needed
• Identifying information about the driver
• Reason why reporting person is concerned
• Relationship to the driver
• Signature of person making the report (for
letters and DMV report forms)
• Contact information for the reporting person
Medical Review
DMV takes the following actions after
receiving a report
Step 1: Review report on impaired driver
Step 2: Follow up with the person
reporting a driver, if necessary
Step 3: Determine the type of review to be
conducted, if warranted
Medical Review
Types of Reviews
• Medical report
• Vision report
• Knowledge test
• Road test
• Driver evaluation
Medical Review
Step 4: Notify driver of requirements
• Driver is given 30 days to comply with
initial requirements
• Driver is given an additional 15 days to
pass tests, if required, after
medical/vision reports
Medical Review
Step 5: Evaluate all information provided
and test results
Step 6: Determine if additional information
or tests are needed
Step 7: Review case with Medical
Advisory Board, if necessary
Medical Review
Step 8: Determine next action(s)
• No further requirement/action needed
• Impose appropriate driver’s license
restriction
• Require periodic medical/vision reports
• Suspend driving privilege
Medical Review
A driver may contest the action taken by
DMV and request an administrative
hearing.
The hearing must be requested in writing.
The hearing will be scheduled and
conducted by the DMV Hearings Office.
Resources
Virginia GrandDriver
• An initiative of the Virginia Department for the
Aging and DMV
Resources
Virginia GrandDriver Goal
Everyone stays on the road as safely as
possible for as long as possible.
How?
By providing resources that will help
drivers compensate for naturally
occurring aging-related changes in
driving skills.
Resources
Virginia GrandDriver
Visit www.granddriver.net
• Staying safe tips
• Resource links
• Alternative transportation
Assessment Tools
Driving Assessment
• Objective screening
• In-car and simulator performance
options
• Maintains doctor/patient relationship
• Generally requires a physician referral
Assessment Tools
Driving Assessments measure a person’s
ability to:
• Steer
• Control speed
• Change lanes
• Negotiate intersections
• Avoid road hazards
• Obey the law
Assessment Tools
Psychological Assessments
• Trail Making Test, Part A & B
• Mini Mental State
• Clock Drawing Test
• Reaction Time Studies
• Screening for Geriatric Depression
Assessment Tools
Results are confidential between patient
and doctor.
Assessment Providers
• Center for Excellence in Aging and Geriatric
Health (Williamsburg)
• Woodrow Wilson Rehab (Fishersville)
• Glennan Center for Geriatrics and
Gerontology (Norfolk)
• Hampton VA Medical Center
• Driver Rehab of Hampton Roads
• Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical
(Richmond)
• Chippenham Johnston Willis (Richmond)
• National Rehab Hospital (D.C.)
Assessment Providers (cont)
• HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Virginia
(Richmond)
• Virginia Driving Safety Laboratory
(Charlottesville)
• INOVA Mt. Vernon Hospital (Alexandria)
• Therapy Center (Norfolk)
• Driver Side Rehab (Vinton)
• Deborah Bender (Winchester)
• Deena Jones (Waynesboro)