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DMV Cognitive Impairment Policy

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  • Medical & Fitness Requirements
    • Medical Review Process
    • Medical Review of Drivers
    • Appeals Process
    • Why am I on Review Plus Possible Outcomes
    • Medical Policies
    • Vision Requirements Overview
    • Vehicle Sun-Shading Medical Authorization
    • Bioptic Telescopic Lens Wearers
    • Conditions of Variance for CDL Driver to Haul Hazardous Materials
    • DMV Cognitive Impairment Policy
    • DMV Pain Management Policy
    • DMV Policy for Adaptive Equipment and Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist Referrals
    • DMV Policy for Drivers Experiencing a Crash Due to a Pedal Application Error
    • DMV Policy for Drivers with Heart-Assist Device
    • DMV Policy for Drivers with Psychiatric Disorders
    • DMV Policy for Drivers with Respiratory Conditions Requiring Supplemental Oxygen and/or Sleep Disorders
    • DMV Diabetes Policy
    • DMV Seizure/Blackout Policy
    • DMV Substance Abuse Policy
    • DMV Transient Ischemic Attack and/or Cerebral Vascular Accident Policy
    • DMV Vaso-Vagal Syncope Policy
    • DMV Visual Field Policy
    • Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Medications
    • Interpreting Letters / Instructions from the Medical Review Services (MRS) Team
    • Medical Advisory Board
    • Periodic Review with Medical Review Services (MRS)
    • Report an Impaired Driver
    • Suspension Date Approaching / Past

It is DMV policy, based on guidance and recommendations from the Medical Advisory Board, that drivers with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment of any severity that may affect their ability to drive or a diagnosis of dementia of any type must successfully pass the DMV knowledge test and then the DMV skills test.

If the driver is not able to successfully pass the knowledge test after three attempts, the driver must successfully pass a driver evaluation with a driver rehabilitation specialist before being allowed one additional attempt to pass the knowledge test. In order to ensure the safety of DMV staff, a medical report is required before the skills test is administered.

This policy is established in order to address the concern that drivers with any type of condition resulting in memory loss and impairments in cognition, reasoning and/or judgment may have days when they are lucid and days when they are confused. The driver evaluation is designed to evaluate cognition, judgment, reaction time and visual spatial perception.

Drivers who come to the attention of DMV with evidence that their driving is being impacted by their condition may be asked to submit to driving evaluations before being allowed to take any test.

Driver Monitoring

After successfully passing the driver evaluation with a driver rehabilitation specialist and the DMV knowledge and skills tests, the driver is monitored every 6-12 months. The frequency of monitoring depends upon the results of the driver evaluation.

Additional Documentation

DMV reserves the right to request that a driver provide additional information from a specialist in order to determine the severity of the condition and to assess the driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. DMV may also impose additional requirements on the individual depending on the information received by the agency.

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