Chapter 8 State Licensing Requirements and Reporting Laws

Each state has its own licensing and license renewal criteria for drivers of private motor vehicles. In addition, certain states require physicians to report unsafe drivers or drivers with specific medical conditions to the driver licensing agency.

This chapter contains licensing agency contact information, license requirements and renewal criteria, reporting procedures, and Medical Advisory Board information listed by state. These materials are provided to physicians as a reference to aid them in discharging their legal responsibilities. The information in this chapter should not be construed as legal advice nor used to resolve legal problems. If legal advice is required, physicians should consult an attorney who is licensed to practice in their state.

Information for this chapter was primarily obtained from each state’s driver licensing agency and reflects the most current information at the time of publication. Please note that this information is subject to change.

When information for this chapter was not available from an individual state’s driver licensing agency, the following references were used:

Coley MJ and Coughlin JF. State driving regulations. Adapted from: National Academy on an Aging Society. The Public Policy and Aging Report. 2001;11(4).

Epilepsy Foundation. Driver information by state. Available at: http://www.efa.org/answerplace/drivelaw/searchform.cfm. Accessed January 10, 2003.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. US driver licensing renewal procedures for older drivers. Available at: http://www.hwysafety.org/safety_facts/state_laws/older_drivers.htm. Accessed May 12, 2003.

Massachusetts Medical Society. Medical Perspectives on Impaired Driving. 1st ed. Available at: www.massmed.org/pages/impaireddrivers.asp. Accessed May 12, 2003.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. State reporting practices. Available at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/olddrive/FamilynFriends/state.htm. Accessed May 12, 2003.

Peli E and Peli D. Driving with Confidence: A Practical Guide to Driving with Low Vision. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.; 2002.

State and Provincial Licensing Systems: Comparative Data. Arlington, VA: American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators; 1999.

Supplemental Technical Notes. In: Staplin L, Lococo K, Byington S, Harkey D. Guidelines and Recommendations to Accommodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration; 2001.