Kentucky's Medical Review Board—ophthalmologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and rehabilitation specialists—advises the Division of Driver Licensing on drivers whose physical or mental condition may make driving unsafe. It also applies the vision and seizure standards every driver must meet.
Know the rule
On request, Kentucky State Police provide reasonable accommodations so a person with a disability has an equal opportunity in every testing phase.
Handbook p. 26 ↗You must be free of seizures, blackouts, loss of consciousness or altered awareness this long to get or keep driving privileges
Handbook p. 26 ↗Vision standards for driving
| Measure | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Visual acuity | 20/60 or better in at least one eye |
| Horizontal field of vision | 35 degrees to both the left and the right |
| Vertical field of vision | 25 degrees above and below fixation |
Bioptic Driving Program minimums:
- 20/200 or better with corrective lenses in the better eye
- 20/60 or better using a bioptic telescopic device
- A visual field of 120 degrees horizontally and 80 degrees vertically in the better eye
- No diagnosis likely to drop vision below these standards
A driver may be reported to the Board if:
- They say they've had a blackout, loss of consciousness or seizure
- A physician, Commonwealth or County Attorney, clerk, sheriff or judge reports them unable to drive safely
- Their official record suggests a physical or mental impairment
- At least two citizens name them in an affidavit
Know the rule
Reports are made with the Medical Review Board Affidavit. The driver's physician then completes medical forms, and the Board mails its decision to the driver.
Handbook p. 27 ↗Warning signs that it may be time for a driving evaluation:
- A friend or family member has expressed concern about your driving
- You sometimes get lost on routes that were once familiar
- An officer warned you about poor driving, whether or not you got a ticket
- Several moving violations, near misses or crashes in the past one to three years
- Your doctor or caregiver advised you to restrict or stop driving
Know the rule
If more than one of these signs applies to you or someone you care about, consider a driving evaluation through the Division of Driver Licensing's Medical Review Board.
Handbook p. 30 ↗Know the rule
To reduce ground-level ozone from vehicles: plan trips, avoid rush hour, avoid quick starts and stops, drive smoothly at moderate speeds, combine trips, and consider carpooling, the bus, a bicycle or walking.
Handbook p. 27 ↗Put it into practice
Your grandfather has had two near misses this year and got lost driving to a church he's attended for decades. With more than one warning sign, the handbook suggests a driving evaluation through the Medical Review Board.