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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 18. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC |
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Chapter 18-1. ISSUANCE OF DRIVER LICENSES |
Section 18-106. SPECIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATIONS: PERSONS WITH DIABETES, SEIZURE DISORDERS, ALTERATION OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT
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106.1A diabetic furnishing data showing the following may be issued a license without qualification, except as provided in this section:
(a)Approval of vision by an ophthalmologist or optometrist in the form of a Diabetic Eye Report, furnished by the Director which shall include visual acuity, field vision, and testing to determine the presence of retinitis, cataracts, or glaucoma;
(b)Approval of health by a physician in the form of a Diabetic Medical Report furnished by the Director indicating the following:
(1)The extent to which the disease is controlled;
(2)Whether the individual is reliable in following a prescribed medical or dietary regime;
(3)Whether insulin is required; and any past medical history of coma or altered consciousness; And
(4)Any past medical history of coma or altered consciousness.
106.2A diabetic who meets the requirements of § 106.1, who is seventy (70) years of age or over, or who is between sixteen (16) and twenty-five (25) years of age and is applying for his or her first license in any jurisdiction, will be referred to the Medical Board for evaluation prior to the issuance of a license or permit.
106.3A diabetic who fails to furnish data meeting the requirements of § 106.1 may be issued a license or permit, but the case shall be referred to the Medical Board for evaluation and clearance prior to the issuance of a license or permit.
106.4If the reports indicate satisfactory control of the diabetes and do not show diabetic eye pathology, no further medical or vision reports are required until license renewal.
106.5If either the vision or medical report suggests the probability of rapid progress of the disease, or if the vision is compromised, reports may be requested at shorter intervals.
106.6Forms furnished to diabetic applicants and licensees shall clearly state the conditions described in this section.
106.7An applicant receiving treatment for episodes of altered consciousness or seizures may be issued a driver’s license if, in addition to meeting all other requirements of this chapter, the applicant annually furnishes the Director with a physician’s certificate indicating the following:
(a)That the physician has knowledge of the seizure history of the applicant;
(b)That, in the physician’s professional opinion, the applicant can operate a motor vehicle safely so as not to endanger life and property; and
(c)That the applicant has not experienced an altered state of consciousness within the preceding twelve (12) months.
106.8The annual physician’s certificate shall no longer be required after a five (5) year period of freedom from seizures.
106.9An applicant shall be required to sign an affidavit that he or she has had no seizure or altered consciousness in the year immediately preceding the date of the application. If a seizure or episode of altered consciousness has occurred within a shorter period of time than one (1) year, the applicant may be considered for a license, at the discretion of the department's medical officer, if he or she meets one of the following requirements:
(a)The applicant has had a "single episode" loss of consciousness of controllable etiology;
(b)The seizure resulted from the recommendation of a physician to discontinue the use of medication because of other medical or surgical considerations; or
(c)The seizures are nocturnal seizures and clearly documented to occur only at night.
106.10An applicant with a seizure disorder may be required to sign a similar affidavit every twelve (12) months when the physician's certificate is not required. If the applicant fails to file an affidavit, the applicant's license shall be revoked until the applicant furnishes the Director with evidence that the applicant is physically qualified within the meaning of this section.
106.11Persons who are hard of hearing or who are totally deaf may operate a motor vehicle only if the vehicle is equipped with a properly positioned outside mirror on the left side of the vehicle.
106.12Any permittee who develops a physical condition covered by this section shall, within thirty (30) days of learning of the condition, appear at the Department, in accordance with the following:
(a)Any permittee who develops diabetes shall furnish the medical report required by § 106.2, and shall be referred to the Medical Board if required by §§ 106.2 or 106.3; or
(b)Any permittee who experiences a loss of consciousness or a seizure shall furnish a medical report that meets the requirements of §§ 106.7 or 106.9.
106.13Following review of the permittee’s medical condition, the Director may either allow the license to remain in place, reissue the license with conditions necessary to ensure the safety of individuals and property, or revoke the license if the person is not physically qualified to operate a motor vehicle in a manner not to jeopardize the safety of individuals or property.
106.14Failure to appear when required by § 106.12 may be grounds for revocation pursuant to § 302.2.
106.15The Director may suspend a driver’s permit if more time is required to evaluate a permittee and may, in his or her discretion, issue a temporary license to a permittee if consistent with public safety.