Medical conditions & safe driving

Some medical conditions can affect a person's ability to drive safely. As part of your enrollment, we ask you to disclose any conditions listed below so we can make sure your lessons are structured safely and appropriately for you.

Disclosing a condition doesn't automatically stop you from taking lessons or getting your license. In most cases, it simply helps us plan your training well. In some cases, the State of Maine's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) may need to review your medical information separately before you can be licensed - we'll guide you through that if it applies.

What you should disclose

Please review the categories below and let us know if any apply to you, a past diagnosis, or a condition you're currently being treated for. If you're not sure whether something is relevant, disclose it anyway — we'd rather have more information than less.

Condition Category Examples / What the Student Should Disclose
Alteration or Loss of Consciousness Blackouts, fainting/syncope, unexplained episodes of confusion, passing out, altered awareness, or any unexplained “spells” that could affect safe driving.
Seizures / Epilepsy Epilepsy, unprovoked seizures, provoked seizures, partial seizures, seizure medication changes, nocturnal seizures, or any seizure-related condition that may affect driving ability.
Brain Injury / Concussion Traumatic brain injury, concussion with lingering symptoms, cognitive impairment, dizziness, visual disturbance, seizures after injury, impaired coordination, or impaired motor planning.
Stroke / CVA / TIA Stroke, transient ischemic attack, residual weakness, impaired coordination, speech/language impairment, spatial planning issues, visual disturbance, or post-stroke seizures.
Cardiovascular Conditions Heart conditions that may cause dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness, sudden impairment, chest pain, arrhythmias, pacemaker/ICD-related issues, or other symptoms that may affect safe driving.
Chronic Respiratory Conditions COPD, chronic respiratory disease, oxygen use, low oxygen saturation, breathing disorders, or any condition that may impair alertness, endurance, or safe vehicle control.
Diabetes / Hypoglycemia Diabetes-related hypoglycemia, episodes of confusion, altered awareness, fainting, loss of consciousness, or any blood sugar event requiring assistance or affecting safe driving.
Vision Disorders Poor visual acuity, peripheral vision loss, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, double vision, hemianopsia, quadrantanopsia, or any condition affecting required vision for driving.
Hearing Loss / Deafness / Hard-of-Hearing Deafness, partial hearing loss, hard-of-hearing status, use of hearing aids or cochlear implants, or any hearing condition that may affect awareness of horns, sirens, nearby vehicles, verbal instruction, or communication during driver education.
Musculoskeletal / Mobility Conditions Amputation, limb deficiency, mobility impairment, limited range of motion, weakness, paralysis, use of prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchair, walker, cane, hand controls, pedal extenders, or other adaptive equipment.
Neurological Conditions Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, ALS, neuropathy, Tourette’s Syndrome, dementia, non-stroke aphasia, generalized deconditioning, or any neurological condition affecting coordination, reaction time, judgment, or vehicle control.
Sleep Disorders Narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, fatigue-related impairment, or any sleep disorder that may affect alertness while driving.
Attention / Behavioral / Cognitive Conditions ADHD/ADD, impaired attention, impulsivity, executive-function issues, delayed reaction time, learning disabilities, cognitive processing issues, or medication side effects that may affect alertness, judgment, coordination, or reaction time.
Mental Health Conditions Anxiety or panic episodes, depression with functional impairment, psychosis, dissociation, suicidal ideation affecting safety, impaired judgment, unstable mental health symptoms, or medication effects that may impair safe driving.
Substance Use Disorder Alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, withdrawal symptoms, detox, substance-related medical events, impaired judgment, impaired coordination, or drug/alcohol-related episodes affecting safe operation of a vehicle.
Prescription / Non-Prescription Medication Effects Any medication, supplement, or treatment that may cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, confusion, impaired coordination, altered consciousness, or impaired judgment.
Other Medical Conditions Affecting Safe Driving Any other diagnosed condition that may affect consciousness, vision, hearing, awareness, attention, judgment, reaction time, coordination, endurance, communication, or the ability to safely participate in driver education or operate a motor vehicle.
Father holding car keys standing with his teen driver.

What happens next

  1. Your information stays confidential.
    It's only used to plan your lessons safely and, where required, to meet state licensing requirements.
  2. We'll talk it through with you.
    In many cases, this is simply a conversation with your instructor about how to structure your lessons.
  3. Some conditions require a State medical review.
    Maine's BMV runs a separate Medical Review Process to determine whether a person is medically fit to drive. If your condition falls into this category, we'll let you know what's needed and point you to the right forms.

About Maine's medical review process

The Maine Secretary of State determines a driver's physical, emotional, and mental fitness to drive with advice from the Medical Advisory Board — a panel of physicians and BMV staff who set medical and vision standards for drivers.

If a review is required, the BMV may ask for:

  • A Medical Evaluation Form (CR-24), completed by your physician
  • An Eye Form, if vision is a factor
  • An Authorization to Release Information form

You can find all current forms and full details on the BMV's Medical Review Process page.

Questions about your disclosure?

If you're unsure how a condition might affect your lessons or licensing, contact us before you enroll — we're happy to talk it through.
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