| At-Risk Driver Program |
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| General Information |
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The purpose of the At-Risk Driver Program is to identify and address drivers whose medical conditions, impairments, or driving behaviors affect their ability to drive safely. Oregon has stringent laws concerning at-risk drivers and DMV receives information from a variety of sources. On the basis of these reports, a driver may be required to re-take the driver licensing tests (vision, knowledge and drive) and demonstrate their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. In some cases, the driver may be required to provide current medical information.
All driver license applicants must answer a series of medical questions when applying for an original, renewal or replacement driver license OAR-062-0000 (2). If you answer "yes" to any one of the medical questions, indicating that you have a medical condition that makes you unable to drive safely, you are not eligible for a license. DMV will not be able to issue you a license until you have established that your medical condition does not affect your ability to drive safely. To do so, DMV may ask you to provide additional medical information and/or pass DMV tests. In addition, the vision of all drivers over the age of 50 is screened at renewal (every eight years).
Police officers, family members, healthcare providers and others may notify DMV of a person’s medical condition, impairment or driving behavior that affects safe driving. These reports are most often submitted on a Driver Evaluation Request form. This reporting process is referred to as the non-mandatory (voluntary) report portion of the At-Risk Driver Program.
Oregon law also requires that certain physicians and health care providers report to DMV, persons age 14 and older who have certain functional and/or cognitive impairments that are severe and uncontrollable, and as such are likely to render it unsafe for the person to operate a motor vehicle. This reporting process is referred to as the mandatory portion of the At-Risk Driver Program.
The mandatory reporting process of the At-Risk Driver Program became effective on June 1, 2004 (see program background for more information). This new medical reporting process replaces the previous mandatory reporting of persons diagnosed as having a disorder characterized by momentary or prolonged lapses of consciousness.
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| Required Reporting |
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Cognitive and functional impairments that are defined as:
- Severe and/or uncontrollable to a degree that precludes (or may preclude) the safe operation of a motor vehicle.
- An impairment that cannot be corrected by medication, therapy or surgery; or by driving device or technique.
Cognitive Impairments
Attention, judgment and problem solving, reaction time, planning and sequencing, impulsivity, visuospatial, memory, lapses of consciousness or control. For example, an attention impairment may affect driving ability in the following manner: inability to switch attention between multiple objects which may endanger pedestrians, bicyclists or other motorists on the roadway.
Functional Impairments
Vision, peripheral sensation of the extremities, strength, flexibility, motor planning and coordination. For example, a strength impairment may affect driving ability in the following manner: inability to maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, which could compromise the ability to maintain lane position or execute turns.
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| Medical Professionals |
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If you are a medical professional, click here for more comprehensive information about DMV's Medically At-Risk Driver Program. We have developed a specialized web site just for you.
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| Related Information |
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Additional information that may be relevant includes:
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