How Medical Conditions Affect Your California Driving Privileges

Home>How Medical Conditions Affect Your California Driving Privileges

Certain medical conditions can lead to DMV action against your license. Whether it is a seizure disorder, diabetes, vision problems, or cognitive decline, the DMV has specific protocols. Understanding these rules helps you prepare and protect your right to drive.

Conditions That Trigger DMV Review

The California DMV may review your driving privileges if you have certain medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely. Common triggering conditions include seizure disorders or epilepsy, diabetes with episodes of hypoglycemia or loss of consciousness, dementia or Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration or other vision impairments, Parkinson's disease, stroke with residual effects, and narcolepsy or sleep disorders causing excessive daytime sleepiness.

California law requires physicians to report patients they believe have conditions involving lapses of consciousness under Health and Safety Code Section 103900. However, the physician report does not automatically result in suspension — it triggers a re-examination process where you can present countervailing evidence of your fitness to drive.

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I contacted Rodney a while back regarding getting a will/trust done and called a fair few times with questions. Rodney was always available to either take my call or call me back/respond to an email. I was never made to feel like I was bothering him. Due to personal circumstances, it took me a while to get going; however, there was no pressure from them at all. Since getting my will/trust done, I have contacted Rodney again - several times in fact - about another matter and again each time he has been available/responsive. The cost of their service was very competitive compared to other lawyers I contacted; however, more importantly, Rodney was nothing but helpful at all times. I did also get to meet him in person and found him very friendly and likeable. Not many lawyers you can probably say that about! 🙂 I would highly recommend him.

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I highly recommend Mr. Gould; he is the best. He was really quick to get everything back on track. He knows how to deal with DMV and Driver Safety. He is so helpful and knowledgeable. Because of him, our issue resolved within 3 days. We got our life back on track. I can't thank him enough. We are so blessed to find him. I highly recommend Mr. Gould. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Gould. His website has so many good resources too. Lee is also great and caring.

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Results

Suspension Set Aside

First-Time DUI — License Fully Restored

Client faced a 6-month license suspension after a first-time DUI arrest with a BAC of 0.12%. We challenged the arresting officer's probable cause and demonstrated procedural errors during the traffic stop. The DMV set-aside the suspension entirely.

License Retained

84-Year-Old Retains Full Driving Privileges

An 84-year-old retired physician was ordered to reexamination after a minor fender bender. Despite the DMV's recommendation to revoke, we presented medical evidence and driving school completion to preserve full, unrestricted driving privileges.

License Retained

87-Year-Old Passes Reexam With Preparation Program

After receiving a reexamination order, we enrolled our 87-year-old client in a comprehensive driving refresher program. The client passed the reexamination with flying colors and retained full driving privileges.

Endorsement Retained

Hazmat Endorsement Preserved After Violation

A hazmat-endorsed CDL holder faced endorsement revocation after a moving violation. We demonstrated the violation did not fall within the disqualifying offenses category, preserving the driver's hazmat certification.

Suspension Set Aside

Under-21 DUI — Zero Tolerance Suspension Defeated

A 19-year-old college student faced a 1-year suspension under California's zero tolerance law for drivers under 21. We challenged the accuracy of the preliminary alcohol screening device and won at the APS hearing.

Probation Avoided

Rideshare Driver Avoids Probation

A full-time rideshare driver accumulated excessive points and faced negligent operator probation that would have ended their livelihood. We presented mitigating evidence and the probation was not imposed.

Writ Granted

Wrongful Suspension Reversed After Writ of Mandate

After losing at the DMV hearing level, we filed a Writ of Mandate in Superior Court challenging the DMV's decision. The court found the DMV's evidence insufficient and ordered the license reinstated.

Restricted License Granted

91-Year-Old Veteran Keeps License With Restrictions

A 91-year-old WWII veteran was ordered to surrender his license. We negotiated a daytime-only restricted license that allowed him to maintain independence for medical appointments and daily errands.

Suspension Overturned

Refusal Case

Client refused a chemical test during a DUI stop, triggering an automatic 1-year suspension. We proved the officer did not properly admonish the client about refusal consequences, and the DMV reversed the suspension.

CDL Retained

Bus Driver Retains CDL After Medical Review

A school bus driver faced CDL medical disqualification after a diabetes diagnosis. We worked with the client's endocrinologist to provide documentation meeting Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards.

Restricted License Granted

Second DUI Offense

Client facing a 2-year suspension for a second DUI offense. We negotiated a restricted license allowing the client to drive to work and IID appointments, preserving their employment.

License Retained

79-Year-Old Passes Reexamination After Initial Failure

After failing an initial DMV reexamination, our client was facing immediate license revocation. We arranged supplemental medical evaluations and a driving assessment that demonstrated full competency.

Suspension Avoided

Negligent Operator Points Reduced Below Threshold

Client accumulated 8 points in 36 months and faced a 6-month suspension as a negligent operator. We successfully challenged two of the underlying violations, bringing the point total below the suspension threshold.

Hearing Won

APS Hearing Won on Procedural Grounds

Client's Admin Per Se hearing was won after we demonstrated that the arresting officer failed to properly advise the client of implied consent consequences, rendering the chemical test results inadmissible.

Case Dismissed

CDL Driver Avoids Career-Ending Suspension

A long-haul truck driver with 20 years of clean record faced CDL suspension after an out-of-state traffic incident. We demonstrated the incident did not meet California's threshold for suspension and the driver kept his commercial license.