South Carolina

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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 condition that may prevent him or her from safely operating a motor vehicle, and whether he or she has, in the past three years, experienced a loss of consciousness, muscular control, or seizure. Applicants who answer “Yes” to either of these questions must have a medical evaluation form filled out by their physician. All first time applicants who use insulin must have a medical evaluation. If an episode of loss of consciousness has occurred within the last six months, or if the individual is applying for a new license, the evaluation must be completed before the license can be issued. If the episode happened more than six months ago and the individual is applying to renew a license, the medical evaluation form is still issued to the driver but the renewal license can be issued immediately. The license application also asks whether the applicant wishes to have a medical symbol placed on his or her license to alert law enforcement and emergency personnel to the presence of a medical condition. If the applicant answers “Yes”, he or she must give the name of the condition.

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 and physicians. The licensing agency does not accept anonymous reports, and does not accept reports directly from family members or other citizens. 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, or after accumulating a given number of accidents in a certain time period.

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. The medical evaluation form contains a section which the individual must complete which, along with other questions about accident and medical history, asks whether the individual has diabetes and what medications he or she is taking. The next section of the form must be filled out by the physician, and includes a section on diabetes, which asks how long the individual has had diabetes, whether he or she is compliant and whether the condition is controlled, whether the individual follows a prescribed diet, and whether, and how often, the individual suffers from “insulin shock” and“diabetic acidosis”. The physician is also asked to provide the highest and lowest blood glucose values recorded in the last year. Finally, the physician is asked to give an opinion on whether, given the individual’s condition, the physician would be willing to ride with the individual as an operator of a motor vehicle. Medical evaluation forms are returned to the licensing agency for review and a licensing decision.

Who makes decisions about whether drivers are medically qualified?

Licensing decisions are generally made based on the medical information provided, state guidelines (if any), and the recommendation of the treating physician. If the physician gives an unfavorable recommendation for an individual with diabetes, that case would be referred to the state’s independent medical advisory board. When cases are referred to the board, a single physician member of the board reviews the available information and makes a recommendation, which will generally be followed by the licensing agency.

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

No. South Carolina 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 will not be permitted to drive if he or she has had an episode within the last six months. When an episode of loss of consciousness happens, driving privileges will be suspended until the individual can prove that he or she has been episode free for six months. If the last episode happened more than six months ago, the person can be licensed if otherwise qualified, but a follow-up medical evaluation will be required in six months. A follow-up evaluation is then required every year until the individual has been episode-free for three years, at which time the case is closed. A report of a loss of consciousness or blackout episode due to a non-medical condition may be approved for driving privileges with no yearly follow-up.

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

If the license has been revoked due to a physical disqualification, the applicant may request an administrative hearing. The request must be made in writing within 20 days of the decision.

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

A restriction can be placed on an individual’s license if the Medical Advisory Board gives a recommendation, which is based on the medical records and history.

Is an identification card available for non-drivers?

Yes, with proper identification and proof of residency.

Resources

Driver licensing in South Carolina is administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles within the state Department of Public Safety.