Which medical conditions could prevent getting a driver’s license in NC? What to know
Getting a driver’s license in North Carolina is a fairly simple process, but some illnesses may prevent you from getting behind the wheel.
Earlier this week, a person who recently relocated to N.C. asked a question on Reddit about whether they were eligible for a license as a Type I diabetic.
North Carolina drivers with particular ailments, including diabetes, may be required to go through the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle’s Medical Review Unit Program.
The program “evaluates drivers when there are concerns that certain medical conditions might have an impact on their ability to safely operate a vehicle,” according to NCDMV.
Here’s what to know about the program, including which medical conditions could prevent you from getting your license, where requests for medical evaluations come from and what to do if you disagree with the review unit’s decision.
Which medical conditions could prevent drivers from getting a license in NC?
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle’s Medical Review Unit evaluates drivers with medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive, including:
Seizures
Heart conditions, such as irregular heart rhythms or uncontrolled high blood pressure
Diabetes
Sleep disorders
Black outs or loss of consciousness
Impairment of limbs, back or neck, such as stroke or injury
Cognitive disorders, such as stroke, head injury or dementia
Vision disorders
Psychiatric disorders
Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia or neurodegenerative disorders
Substance use disorders
Licenses can be granted to those with certain medical conditions, but the review unit could set driving restrictions, including requiring corrective lenses, limiting travel to daylight hours and limiting driving to speeds less than 45 miles per hour.
Drivers who do not follow the medical review unit’s decision can have their licenses canceled until they comply.
Reviews of a driver’s medical condition are conducted on a periodic basis, and can occur as often as every three months or as little as once every three years, depending on the severity of their condition.
Where do requests for medical evaluations come from?
Anyone can request that a driver be medically evaluated by filling out a request form online, but requests are typically submitted to NCDMV by:
Doctors who notify NCDMV about patients who they feel might be at risk to themselves or others
Law enforcement officers who have observed drivers with poor driving habits related to health problems, such as poor vision, slow reaction time or reports of falling asleep
Wreck reports related to a medical condition that may have contributed to a motor vehicle accident
Involuntary commitment orders submitted by the court system
All recommendations must be made in the interest of public safety, according to NCDMV. Advanced age cannot be the only reason for a medical evaluation.
What if drivers disagree with their medical evaluations?
Drivers who disagree with their medical evaluations can request a hearing with NCDMV’s Medical Review Hearing Board. Requests must be submitted within 10 days of receiving a decision.
Requests can be faxed to (919) 733-9569 or mailed to the Medical Review Program at 3112 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3112.
All hearings take place at the NCDMV driver license office at 3231 Avent Ferry Rd. in Raleigh.
“Hearings are recorded and last approximately 30 minutes, during which time, the hearing officer and physicians will ask questions about the petitioner’s medical, driving and personal histories,” NCDMV says. “Drivers who disagree with the Medical Review Hearing Board’s decisions can appeal to Wake County Superior Court.”
This story was originally published October 25, 2023 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Which medical conditions could prevent getting a driver’s license in NC? What to know."
