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Medically impaired drivers

Conditions that cause impairment | Confidentiality | Driver condition or behavior report | How a decision is made | Pledge of confidentiality | Safety consideration | Signs of impairment | What can happen | What is needed | When medical professionals report

Cause for concern

If you know someone who could be dangerous behind the wheel because of a medical condition, you may report this to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Medical Review Unit. Download a Driver Condition or Behavior Report form MV3141  here or obtain one at the DMV service center nearest you.

A safety consideration

It is not easy to decide to report a relative or friend to WisDOT, but concern for the driver's safety and the safety of others is usually the deciding factor.

How a decision is made

WisDOT cares about a driver's functional ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Decisions about impaired drivers are based on individual signs, symptoms, behaviors, and the observations of others, rather than the type of condition or a diagnosis.

The issue is whether or not a medical condition affects a driver's ability to drive safely.

Signs of impairment

• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Memory loss
• Impaired judgment
• Extreme exhaustion
• Difficulty making simple decisions
• Chronic drowsiness
• Impaired response/reaction time
• Inability to concentrate
• Impulsive behaviors
• Severe shortness of breath
• Episodes of impaired or altered consciousness

Conditions that may cause impairment

• Alzheimer's and other types of dementia
• Diabetes, if frequent episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occur
• Neurological conditions, such as seizure disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Behavioral or mental disorders
• Respiratory (lung) diseases
• Cardiovascular (heart) disease
• Visual impairments

What is needed for WisDOT to act

• Positive identification of the driver. The license plate number is not enough; the driver could be someone other than the owner of the car.
• A report that is signed. If the report is from a citizen, another person must be able to verify the information.
• A description of behaviors, observations or impairment related to driving

WisDOT will not take action based only on a diagnosis or a person's advanced age.

What can happen

Depending on the nature of the driver's limitation, and the contents of the Driver Condition or Behavior Report, WisDOT may require a:

1. Road test
2. Knowledge test
3. Medical report
4. Vision exam or screening
5. No further action
6. Cancellation of the license*
7. Any combination of 1-4

*Only a behavior report signed by a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopath (DO) or Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP) can result in immediate cancellation of a license.

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Confidentiality a concern?

Wisconsin has an open records law, which means that behavior report information is available to the reported driver. If this is a concern, you might want to discuss your concerns with the driver and suggest that the person stop driving or see a physician or APNP. The physician or APNP may be willing to send in a report. If you have good reason to remain anonymous and will not provide information otherwise, you may request a Pledge of Confidentiality form MV3454 . You must sign this form in the presence of a WisDOT representative before we accept the information.

When medical professionals report

Wisconsin does not have a mandatory reporting law, but physicians or APNP may report concerns about a patient's driving ability to WisDOT without informed consent of the patient. This applies to anyone whose physical or mental condition may affect his/her ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, based on the physician's judgment.

Reports from physicians are considered confidential because they contain medical information; however, the information is available to the driver.

For additional information about reporting impaired drivers, contact:

• E-mail: dre.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
• Phone: (608) 266-2327
• FAX: (608) 267-0518
• TDD: (608) 266-0396
• Write to the address below:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Medical Review Unit
P.O. Box 7918
Madison, WI 53707-7918

You may also contact your local DMV service center.

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You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page: Bureau of Driver Services, dre.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: July 3, 2008