It is the policy of the Department of Motor Vehicles, based on guidance and recommendations from the Medical Advisory Board, that a driver with a documented unstable psychiatric condition shall not drive for a period of 3-6 months, depending on the severity of the condition.
DMV will determine how long the customer should refrain from driving, based upon recommendations and guidance from the Medical Advisory Board, recommendations from the driver’s psychiatrist or medical providers, the seriousness of the episode which caused hospitalization, and the driver’s compliance with treatment.
Monitoring and Review of the Driver
If the driver has a documented psychiatric disorder with a history of instability but is now reported to be currently stable, he/she will be permitted to drive while remaining on periodic review. DMV will continue to periodically monitor the driver and will suspend the driving privilege for 3-6 months if any new instability is reported.
Conditions that DMV monitors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Major depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorders with aggressive or dangerous behaviors
- Recent suicidal or homicidal ideation
Additional Requirements
DMV may impose additional requirements on the individual depending on the information received by the agency. DMV also reserves the right to request that a driver provide additional information in order to determine the severity of the condition and to assess the driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.