Are doctors required to notify the state if someone is no longer capable of driving safely?
A fellow caregiver asked...
In some states a doctor is required to notify the state in the event he feels a driver is no longer capable of driving safely. Is that true in Ohio?
Expert Answer
Elizabeth Dugan, a Fellow of the Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston, is the author of Driving Dilemma: The Complete Resource Guide for Older Drivers and Their Families.
The short answer is No. These regulations vary by state. In Ohio health care providers are permitted to notify the licensing authority (Bureau of Motor Vehicles), but they are not required to do so. Caring.com has a great state-by-state guide to state laws that you may find helpful. Also, the American Medical Association has released the 2010 guide for physicians which also has a state-by-state reference. (see http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/public-health/promoting-healthy-lifestyles/geriatric-health/older-driver-safety/assessing-counseling-older-drivers.shtml)