The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle's Medical Review Unit evaluates a driver when there are concerns that certain medical conditions might have an impact on their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. These conditions include:
- Seizures
- Heart conditions (e.g., irregular heart rhythms, uncontrolled high blood pressure, etc.)
- Diabetes
- Sleep disorders
- Black outs or loss of consciousness
- Impairment of limbs, back or neck (e.g., stroke, injury, etc.)
- Cognitive disorders (e.g., stroke, head injury, dementia, etc.)
- Vision disorders
- Psychiatric disorders
- Neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease, dementia, neurodegenerative disorders)
- Substance use disorders
If a driver's medical condition is stable and documentation from the driver's health care provider has been provided, the Medical Review Unit's decision might involve driving restrictions that include but are not limited to:
- Corrective lenses
- Daylight-driving only
- Limiting driving to speeds less than 45 mph speed and prohibiting interstate driving
- Limiting driving to/from places, such as work, the doctor, church, grocery store
- Limiting driving within a specific radius of the driver's home
Periodic Reviews of Medical Conditions
Depending on the severity of the medical condition – or if the condition worsens – the Medical Review Unit will review a driver's case on a periodic basis to ensure their medical condition does not affect their safety and driving abilities.
In such cases, the driver must submit updated medical documentation each time their case is reviewed. Depending on the medical condition, the frequency of reviews varies. In most cases, however, these updates are as often as every three months or as infrequent as once every three years.
Drivers with stable medical conditions might not need to be followed by the Medical Review Unit.