Arizona

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Are applicants for a driver’s license asked questions about diabetes?

The application form (first time and renewal) asks if the applicant has a medical condition that may affect his or her ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. One of the examples of such conditions given is “blackouts, seizures, loss of consciousness or body control (within the last 12 months)”. If the applicant answers “Yes” to this question, he or she may be required to have a medical examination report completed by their physician and returned to the department, depending on the condition and when it was experienced.

What other ways does the state have to find out about people who may not be able to drive safely because of a medical condition?

The licensing agency accepts reports of potentially unsafe drivers from: police officers, the courts, physicians, family members, friends, other citizens and hospitals. The licensing agency does not accept anonymous reports, and investigates reports to ensure that they are valid. Drivers may also be required to have a medical evaluation if they have impairments which are observed by licensing agency personnel during the licensing process.

What is the process for medical evaluations of drivers?

When the licensing agency receives notification that a driver has a medical condition or functional impairment that may affect safe driving ability, that driver is sent a medical examination report form, which must be completed by the applicant’s physician. The examination form asks questions about episodes of “altered consciousness”, including the date and cause of the last such episode and the degree of control the applicant has achieved over the episodes. This section of the form also asks if the seizure or seizures (1) were due to deliberate change in anticonvulsant medication ordered by a physician; (2) were isolated occurrences that are unlikely to recur with reasonable medical certainty; (3) occurred only during sleep; or (4) have an established pattern of an aura of sufficient duration to allow an individual to safely cease operating a motor vehicle. The physician is asked to make recommendations on the person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Completed forms are sent back to the licensing agency, which then makes a decision on the driver's qualifications. Drivers may be required to submit periodic medical forms, as recommended by their treating physician.

Who makes decisions about whether drivers are medically qualified?

Licensing agency personnel evaluate forms submitted by physicians and can make licensing recommendations or request additional medical information. While Arizona has an independent medical review board, its main function is to advise on medical standards or procedures, not to review individual cases. However, in rare cases state licensing personnel will seek an opinion from a member of the board.

Has the state adopted specific policies about whether people with diabetes are allowed to drive?

No. Arizona has no specific policies about licensing of drivers with diabetes other than its loss of consciousness policy (see below).

What is the state's policy about episodes of altered consciousness or loss of consciousness that may be due to diabetes?

Anyone who has had a loss of consciousness within the past three months prior to a license application must have a medical evaluation. Also, any licensed driver who has a loss of consciousness must immediately report that episode and have a medical examination. The licensing agency makes a decision as to whether a medical condition affects the individual’s ability to operate the motor vehicle safely based on the medical examination form and the physician’s recommendation. The agency will not issue a license to a person if the medical examination report shows that the person has a disorder that affects the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. A disorder does not affect a person’s ability to drive safely if the physician concludes with reasonable certainty that any seizures that occurred within the past three months were a result of a change in medication and are under control; the seizure was an isolated occurrence; seizures that do occur have a pattern of occurring only during sleep; or there is sufficient warning of an impending seizure that will allow a driver to cease operating a motor vehicle immediately at the onset of the aura. Drivers who have had seizures must undergo a follow-up medical examination within one year after the seizure or within a shorter time, as recommended by the physician.

What is the process for appealing a decision of the state regarding a driver’s license?

An applicant may request an administrative review of any suspension, revocation or denial of a license within 15 days of notification of the state’s action. The hearing will be conducted before a state hearing officer.

May an individual whose license is suspended or denied because of diabetes receive a probationary or restricted license?

No.

Is an identification card available for non-drivers?

Yes, with proper identification.

Resources

Driver licensing in Arizona is administered by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division within the State Department of Transportation.