MEDICALLY IMPAIRED DRIVERS
The Alaska DMV is responsible for gathering and evaluating the medical information of licensed drivers or applicants for driver licenses who are currently suffering from conditions or disabilities that could have an impact on roadway safety. One of the roles of the division is to ensure that everyone who is licensed to drive on Alaska’s public roads is able to do so safely.
Reporting an Unsafe Driver
If you know someone who could be dangerous behind the wheel because of a medical condition, you may report this to Anchorage Driver Services. To request a Recommendation for Reexamination (Form 411) and send it to Driver Services doa.dmv.ads@alaska.gov
Things to Remember When Reporting an Unsafe Driver:
- All information submitted must be firsthand knowledge or observation. The DMV will not accept secondhand information.
- Reporting cannot be made anonymously.
- The age of the driver is not a consideration. Reaching a particular age does not mean a person will become an unsafe driver. Medical conditions affecting driver safety can happen to anyone at any age.
- If requested, information will be kept confidential. However, if an administrative hearing is requested, it may be necessary to release information.
What are some medical conditions that may affect safe driving?
If an individual has recently suffered from one of these conditions, medical evaluation may be needed:
- Vision impairment
- Sporadic loss of conscious awareness
- Loss of consciousness
- Impaired motor function
- Diminished judgment
- Memory loss
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Neurological or neuromuscular disease (e.g. Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis)
- Confusion
- Diminished concentration
- Other dementia
- Reaction, or impairment due to change in medication or dosage
- Other metabolic disorder
What are some signs of medical impairment that may affect safe driving?
If an individual has recently any of these signs, medical evaluation may be needed:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Memory loss
- Impaired judgment
- Extreme exhaustion
- Difficulty making simple decisions
- Chronic drowsiness
- Impaired response/reaction time
- Inability to concentrate
- Impulsive behaviors
- Severe shortness of breath
- Episodes of impaired or altered consciousness
Who can request a reexam?
By Alaska law (2 AAC 90.450), anyone can make a recommendation for reexamination, including:
- Court
- Physician
- Law enforcement
- Friend
- Relative
A recommendation for reexamination must be based on firsthand knowledge. The request must state that the driver cannot safely operate a motor vehicle due to a physical or mental condition and explain the need for a reevaluation by providing specific information pertaining to the person's operation of a motor vehicle or physical condition. You will be asked to state your relationship to the person for which a reexamination is requested. Requests must be made in writing and cannot be anonymous.
By Alaska law driving records and license actions are confidential. Information directly related to a license action or a driving record cannot be released except to the individual or an authorized representative.
What Happens After the DMV Receives a Report?
The DMV reviews the information to determine if action is required. If the DMV believes a reexamination is needed, a notice will be sent by mail to the affected driver describing the requirements of the reexamination. The individual may be asked to comply with any or all of the following:
- Examination by a physician confirming they are safe to drive.
- Vision test
- Written test
- Road test with a DMV examiner
In most cases, the person has 30 days to comply with the reexam requirements. Failing to comply with the reexamination recommendations may result in the license being canceled or suspended. If a license cancellation is initiated, notification will be sent by mail to the individual.
Once a license cancelation action has been initiated, a driver request an administrative hearing and appeal the DMV's decision.
Immediate Cancellations [AS 28.15.031 & AS 28.15.161]
In some cases, where there is an immediate public safety risk, a driver license may be canceled immediately and the individual will be notified of the cancellation by letter. The letter will explain the necessary steps for the driver to clear the cancellation.
Reinstating After a Medical Cancellation
How to reinstate your driving privileges after you have been canceled for medical reasons?
- Submit all required medical examinations verifying that you can safely operate a motor vehicle.
- Written tests, if required, can be taken daily at any Alaska DMV office.
- Road tests, if required, will not be conducted until all other medical or testing requirements have been met. Road tests must be conducted by an Alaska DMV examiner. The first road test will be conducted at no fee, following tests are $25.00.
- If canceled, a duplicate license will be required.
For Physicians
A medical professional’s goal is to ensure patients are healthy. Safe driving is vital to a person’s health and well-being and to public safety. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles(DMV) seeks to support the relationship between medical care providers and their patients through a process that allows a person to continue driving as long as it is safe.
Physicians are in a unique position to assess impairments, address underlying causes of functional and cognitive decline, and provide their patients with options that may prolong safe driving. By adopting preventive practices, physicians can better identify drivers at risk for crashes, help enhance their driving safety, and ease the transition to driving retirement if and when it becomes necessary.
Reporting an Unsafe Driver
Alaska does not have a mandatory reporting law, but physicians may report concerns about a patient's driving ability to the DMV without informed consent of the patient. This applies to anyone whose physical or mental condition may affect his/her ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, based on the physician's judgment.
A medical professional may report an unsafe driver by submitting a Reexamination Request Form (Form 411) or by a letter to Anchorage Driver Services doa.dmv.ads@alaska.gov.
If a physician is responding to a DMV request for medical examination, the person will have a letter from the DMV that will guide the physician as to what sections need to be completed. Upon completion, it can be faxed or mailed to Anchorage Driver Services at the above contact. Physicians must clearly indicate or state whether or not the physician feels that an individual is safe to drive, given an identified medical condition. If the physician feels that license restrictions or future re-evaluations should be required, these should be indicated.