Kansas

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

The driver’s license application (first time and renewal) asks the applicant whether he or she has any mental or physical conditions which may make it difficult to operate a motor vehicle, and whether he or she has had any seizures or loss of consciousness within the last six months. If an applicant answers “Yes” to either of these questions, he or she is required to have a medical examination and evaluation performed by a physician.

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 state accepts reports of potentially unsafe drivers from police officers, the courts, family, friends, other citizens, and hospitals. Anonymous reports are not accepted, and sources may be investigated by the agency before the driver is contacted. An examination of the driver’s qualifications may also be triggered by a crash involving a fatality, an accumulation of crashes, from public information such as a newspaper article describing a crash due to loss of consciousness, or by the observations by licensing agency personnel during the application or renewal process.

What is the process for medical evaluations of drivers?

When the licensing agency has reason to believe a driver may be medically unsafe, either because the driver gave positive answers to medical questions on the license application or because of a report from one of the other sources listed above, it will require the individual to have a medical evaluation. When this happens, an evaluation form is sent to the individual, which must be completed by his or her physician within 30 days. The form first asks the individual whether he or she has experienced or been treated for diabetes (or any one of a list of other conditions) within the last three years. The physician is asked to provide information about the diagnosis, prognosis and medications prescribed for any conditions (including diabetes) the individual has, although no specific questions are asked about diabetes. The physician is also asked whether there is any evidence that the individual has a seizure or blackout disorder, and is asked to provide the name of the seizure disorder, the date of the last episode, the frequency of episodes, and the medications prescribed. The physician is also asked whether the individual is compliant with taking prescribed medications, and whether any seizure disorder is under control. Finally, the physician is asked to describe any limitations caused by the individual’s condition, and how those limitations affect the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, and is asked to recommend whether restrictions on the license (such as having a licensed driver in the front seat) are needed, and whether an annual medical report should be required.

Who makes decisions about whether drivers are medically qualified?

When medical evaluation forms are returned, they are first reviewed by licensing agency personnel within the Driver Review Section who check the evaluation forms for completeness. Agency personnel normally make a licensing decision based on the medical information submitted, but in unusual circumstances cases may be referred to the state’s independent Medical Advisory Board. If the driver is self reporting a medical condition and there have been no episodes of loss of consciousness within the last six months, and if the applicant’s physician recommends that the applicant can operate a motor vehicle safely, normally the agency will issue the license with whatever restrictions the physician recommends.

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

No. Kansas has not adopted specific medical guidelines related to diabetes, except for its guidelines related to episodes of loss of consciousness (see below).

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

An individual cannot be licensed if he or she has had an episode of loss of consciousness within the last six months. Individuals are required to submit yearly medical evaluations after an episode until they have been episode free for three years.

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

A driver may request an administrative hearing within 30 days of receiving a notice of suspension or denial, and may also request that his or her case be referred to the Medical advisory Board (which meets once per month). Hearings are scheduled by county, so sometimes there is significant delay between the request for a hearing and when it is scheduled.

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 and payment of fee.

Resources

Driver licensing in Kansas is administered by the Division of Vehicles within the state Department of Revenue.