§1030.18. Medical Criteria Affecting Driver Performance

 

           

a)         The competent medical specialist and the Board shall review and apply the following medical criteria when rendering to the Department a medical opinion of a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

 

1)         The driver must possess the emotional and intellectual ability to operate a motor vehicle.  The driver's medical condition must be controlled as follows:

 

A)        be free from distractions caused by hallucinations;

 

B)        be free from impulsive behavior, homicidal tendencies and/or suicidal tendencies;

 

C)        be oriented with advanced preparation of the driver's destination;

 

D)        be able to recognize and understand symbols of language and road signs and possess the ability to not only see objects in the field of vision, but also to recognize their significance and to react to them with sufficient speed to avoid a catastrophe;

 

E)        possess sufficient memory to recall the driver's destination, the significance of road signs and hazards, and the operational control of the motor vehicle;

 

F)         be able to distinguish left from right and to judge distance and relative speed of the motor vehicle as well as other vehicles that may present a potential danger.

 

2)         The driver must possess the motor and sensory abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle.  The driver's medical condition must be controlled as follows:

 

A)        the ability to sit in a stable and erect posture and hold the head erect throughout an intended driving interval;

 

B)        be able to turn the head at least 25 degree in either direction in order to amplify the field of vision;

 

C)        be able to control the motor vehicle with ease, including the gripping of the steering wheel and reaching of the controls and pedals, all without unbalancing or stressing the driver;

 

D)        be able to perform all routine operations of the motor vehicle with steady, well coordinated movements.  The reaction time of the driver must be average and not limited by muscle, joint or skeletal deformity.

 

3)         The driver must have the ability to sustain consciousness throughout the entire intended driving interval.

 

4)         The driver must be free from severe pain that could cause sudden incapacitation or the inability to control a motor vehicle.

 

5)         The driver must be able to meet the vision requirements set forth in Sections 1030.70 and 1030.75.

 

6)         The driver must not be medicated to the extent of being incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

 

b)         The competent medical specialist and the Board shall evaluate the severity and/or limitations of the medical condition a driver may have on a case-by-case basis.  The Board may at any time request additional information to assist it in evaluating the driver's medical case.  The Board shall take into account the driver's past driving history and any underlying documents requested by the Board or submitted by the driver and any documents relating to any accident, as well as all medication and/or any mechanical mechanism being used by, or otherwise available to, the driver.

 

c)         The competent medical specialist and the Board each have the authority to recommend full or limited driving privileges to the Department, including, but not limited to, restricted driving hours or miles, use of mechanical devices, and other conditions the competent medical specialist and the Board deem appropriate, such as requesting follow-up medical reports, depending upon the circumstances of the medical case.

 

d)         The competent medical specialist and the Board each have the authority to recommend medical denial of driving privileges indefinitely, or for a specific period of time.

 

e)         Information, to the extent known by the competent medical specialist, to be considered in determining if an individual is medically fit to safely operate a motor vehicle, shall include, but is not limited to:

 

1)         History of illness;

 

2)         Severity of symptoms and prognosis;

 

3)         Complications and/or co-morbid conditions;

 

4)         Treatment and medications, effects and side effects, and person's knowledge and use of medications;

 

5)         Results of medical tests and reports of laboratory findings;

 

6)         Functional ability, including mental or emotional function;

 

7)         Reports of driver conditions or behavior;

 

8)         Traffic accidents that have been caused by a medical condition. Temporary medical conditions (e.g., broken limbs) are not to be considered under this subsection (e).

 

f)         The Department shall determine if an individual is qualified to safely operate a motor vehicle based on a vision test, the individual's knowledge of traffic laws, road signs and rules of the road, vehicle equipment and safe driving practices, and a road test as outlined in IVC Section 6-109.

 

(Source:  Amended at 33 Ill. Reg. 2391, effective January 21, 2009)