Full question:
An Oregon domiciled person 67 years old working overseas had his first (and hopefully last) epilectic seizure (full unconsciousness) two months ago and is on Dilantin medication indefinitely. If he doesn't ever have another seizure, how long must he wait before he can answer 'no' to the question on the Oregon drivers license renewal question of 'Do you have any physical or mental conditions or impairments that affect your ability to drive safely?' I have read that if two years pass without another seizure, then this question can be answered 'no'. Is this true? Is there somewhere in Oregon statutes that supports this 'two year' idea which comes from the URL below? http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/drivinglaws.cfm In order to obtain a license, an individual who has suffered a loss of consciousness or physical control, or has had his or her ability to drive impaired within the last 2 years must supply a 'Certificate of Medical Eligibility' that the condition does not interfere with his or her ability to drive.
- Category: Drivers License
- Date:
- State: Oregon
Answer:
To determine eligibility for a driver's license in Oregon after experiencing a seizure, the following statutes are relevant:
According to Oregon law, if the Department of Transportation believes a person may be ineligible due to a mental or physical condition affecting their ability to drive safely, the individual can establish their eligibility by:
- Demonstrating to the department that they can safely operate a vehicle despite their condition, or
- Providing a determination of eligibility from the department's medical determination officer.
The medical determination officer will assess whether the person's condition affects their ability to drive safely. This assessment may include a report from a physician or other qualified medical professional (Oregon Revised Statutes § 807.090).
Specifically, if a person has had a loss of consciousness or impaired driving ability within the last two years, they must supply a 'Certificate of Medical Eligibility' confirming that their condition does not interfere with safe driving (Oregon Revised Statutes § 807.060).
While there is a common understanding that a period of two years without a seizure may allow a person to answer 'no' to the driving question, this is not explicitly stated in the statutes. The requirement for medical certification remains in effect for two years following any such event.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.