Georgia medical review, vision reports, and adapted driving

Connect the health concern to the driving task

Georgia's DDS medical review process examines diminished driving ability using information about the individual driver. A diagnosis can require further evaluation without answering every question about the person's current abilities, treatment, vehicle, or license class. The information most useful to the review concerns what happens while driving: loss of awareness, impaired judgment, restricted movement, difficulty seeing, or another function needed to control the vehicle.

The Georgia Attorney General's diminished driving capacity guidance identifies observations such as repeated near misses, getting lost on familiar roads, slow reactions, and inability to read normal road signs. It also recognizes that adjustments may sometimes help. A family discussing these issues should describe specific incidents and their circumstances. Age or disagreement about a relative's independence is not a substitute for evidence of a driving concern.

Back to the topics

How a review reaches DDS

DDS accepts a written letter or the Request for Driver Review, DDS 270, from a nonanonymous relative, physician, law enforcement officer, court, or other concerned person. The form asks for the driver's identifying information and the reason for the concern. Reports from law enforcement should include the relevant incident or crash documentation. The request must be signed; DDS's form explains that an anonymous report cannot initiate the same review process.

Describe firsthand observations separately from information received from someone else. Dates, locations, and the nature of the driving behavior help DDS understand why evaluation is being requested. The form also warns that the requesting person is not entitled to receive the final determination from DDS. Reporting a concern does not make the reporter the license holder's representative for every later medical or licensing transaction.

Back to the topics

Completing the physician's report

The current DDS medical report, revised February 2026 and read October 21, 2026, separates the patient information from the physician's findings. The driver completes and signs the patient portion, then provides the remaining report and DDS's concern letter to the licensed physician. The medical provider must return the complete report and the DDS letter directly through the Medical Review Unit's prescribed submission route.

The report covers neurological episodes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, mental health, physical limitations, diabetes, and medication. It asks whether the physician considers the person capable of driving safely and, where relevant, of operating a commercial vehicle. Answering only with a diagnosis or a short note that the patient was seen can leave DDS without the functional findings it requested. Give the provider the entire letter so the particular concern receives a clear response.

Specialist material may be requested for neurological or psychiatric issues. The form also asks about the last episode of lost consciousness, medication compliance, and other relevant history. Those questions should be answered from the medical record and the patient's account, not guessed to meet a licensing deadline. Arrange the evaluation early enough for the provider to complete and send all requested sections.

Back to the topics

DDS response periods and notices

The medical review page states that failure to comply with the initial request within 30 days leads to a revocation notice. That notice advises of revocation in 30 days and the opportunity to request a hearing within 15 days after receipt, as checked October 21, 2026. Read the actual correspondence for the action and dates applicable to the driver. Several different periods can appear in the same file.

If the examination cannot be completed in time, address that problem with the Medical Review Unit promptly and retain the agency's response. Scheduling an appointment alone does not establish that DDS has extended its deadline. The DDS hearing request form includes a medical-review category, but the applicable notice and agency instructions should be followed for the specific challenge. A driver's disagreement with the medical conclusion does not by itself keep the license valid.

Back to the topics

Use the right vision report

For ordinary licenses, DDS vision information states the general requirement of 20/60 in at least one eye and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees. Corrective lenses can be used to meet the acuity standard. The medical-review vision form asks the eye professional for the relevant measurements and possible restrictions; it separately specifies field criteria where only one eye has usable vision.

That medical-review form is not the document for commercial drivers or online senior renewal. Drivers using the age-64 renewal upload process should use the online renewal vision form or the detailed examination accepted through that process. Submitting the wrong version can send useful medical information into the wrong workflow. The form's title and instructions should be checked before the optometrist or ophthalmologist signs it.

If corrective-eye surgery changes the need for a lens restriction, DDS directs the person to a Customer Service Center for a vision examination before the restriction is removed. A doctor's statement or an improved prescription should not be treated as permission to ignore the restriction printed on the current credential. The DDS record must reflect the authorized change.

Back to the topics

Adaptive equipment and professional evaluation

The DDS Mechanical Aid Form gives the healthcare provider a way to identify equipment and restrictions suited to the driver. Its choices include hand controls, a left accelerator, mirrors, automatic transmission, power assistance, prosthetic aids, and limitations involving daylight or highway travel. The provider signs and submits the form to medical review. DDS then supplies the driver with the letter used for the Customer Service Center transaction.

DDS also describes evaluations by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist, including clinical assessment and driving assessment. That work can help a treating professional determine whether equipment or restrictions address the actual limitation. A vehicle modification should be assessed in relation to the driver's abilities and training; purchasing a control device does not demonstrate that the person can operate it safely in traffic.

Back to the topics

Clearance, retesting, and conflicting opinions

When the treating physician clears the driver and DDS accepts the report, the agency can clear the notation associated with the original medical request without changing privileges. In other cases, DDS orders examinations. If a medically revoked driver is later cleared but still must complete knowledge and road testing, DDS sends a letter directing the person to a Customer Service Center. Use the state examination instructions to prepare for the tests actually required.

Conflicting physician reports may be referred to the DDS Medical Advisory Board. The board recommends an outcome, while DDS makes the final fitness-to-drive decision. Keep later submissions identifiable as updates to the same medical case. The motor vehicle report service can help investigate the resulting licensing entry, but it does not replace the provider's medical report or the DDS clearance letter.

Back to the topics

Commercial certification remains a separate responsibility

A CDL holder should read the commercial medical certification process as well as the medical-review request. Routine commercial certificates now reach DDS electronically through the National Registry and FMCSA. A state medical-review report answers an individual DDS concern; it is not a substitute for an electronically reported commercial examination when one is required. The medical report specifically calls for an appropriately registered provider when evaluating a driver who wishes to maintain a CDL.

The commercial renewal page also addresses the driver's self-certification, applicable variances, and commercial eligibility. A driver might be medically suitable for personal-car operation while needing additional commercial qualification or a restriction for the work vehicle. Establish the intended license class before the provider completes the evaluation.

Back to the topics

Surrender or a voluntary medical marker

When the person decides to stop driving, the DDS surrender procedure uses an in-person affidavit and permits an identification-card application at the same visit. Returning to driving later can require retesting. Plan how the person will maintain identification and obtain transportation as part of that decision.

Separately, the medical and disability information application allows a customer to request certain information on a license, permit, or ID. It explains the disclosure consent and physician verification for a condition that is not obvious. That voluntary marker does not establish medical clearance, remove a restriction, or confer parking privileges. Choose the information knowingly, since anyone who sees or copies the credential may be able to see the medical details.

Back to the topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an anonymous relative request a Georgia medical review?
DDS describes requests from nonanonymous persons and requires identifying information and a signature on DDS 270. A useful report explains the observed driving concern rather than relying on the driver's age alone.

Which physician form does DDS use for an ordinary medical concern?
The DDS medical report addresses the concern identified in the department's letter. The patient completes the patient portion and gives the whole package to the physician for findings and direct submission.

Is the senior online vision form suitable for every medical review?
Georgia supplies separate vision forms for medical review, online renewal, and commercial circumstances. Follow the form named in the relevant DDS process so the report reaches the correct decision.

Does installing hand control equipment automatically clear my license?
The provider should identify appropriate equipment through the Mechanical Aid Form. DDS's review and any required evaluation or licensing transaction still determine the permitted driving conditions.

Who decides when two doctors disagree about driving ability?
DDS can ask its Medical Advisory Board for a recommendation. The department retains responsibility for the final licensing decision.

Will a medical condition printed on my card replace review paperwork?
A voluntary medical marker communicates requested information to people who see the credential. It does not supply the physician findings or testing required to resolve a DDS medical-review action.

Back to the topics

More Georgia DDS guides

The other Georgia DDS guides, 52 of them: