NCDMV Medical Review Hearings

If your driver’s license has been revoked or is about to be suspended due to action undertaken by the Medical Review Hearing Board in North Carolina, call us.

We may be able to help.

"Don’t just go in there alone. NCDMV Medical Review Hearings are often complicated and can carry bigtime consequences."

- John Fanney, Raleigh Driver’s License Lawyer

What is the Medical Review Program?

NCDMV – The North Carolina Department of Transportation / Division of Motor Vehicles can get involved if there are “concerns” that a medical condition or medical conditions could impact your ability to safely drive a car.

The process involves reviews of medical records, driving records, and convictions for motor vehicle offenses, including DWI charges in North Carolina, by licensed medical professionals.

Depending on the type, nature, and severity of the medical condition, or in the event something gets worse, the Medical Review Unit at DMV may review whether you’ll be able to drive in North Carolina.

NCDMV Hearings

If that happens, the licensed driver may be required to forward medical documentation, including personal medical records, treatment history, and updates on the condition(s) for review.

Again, depending on the nature of the medical condition and how severely it may affect you, the Medical Review Unit may require supplemental documentation as frequently as every three (3) months.

Other medical conditions may only necessitate review every three (3) years.

What is a Restoration Hearing in NC?

A lot depends on your age, how the condition is progressing, the long-term outlook, and whether the condition is worsening, thus possibly affecting your ability to control a motor vehicle and drive safely.

What are Valid Reasons for a Medical Review of My License?

The NCDMV Medical Review Unit team may evaluate your ability to drive if there are “concerns” that a medical condition may impact your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Conditions subject to Medical Review in North Carolina include things such as:

• SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS
• Irregular Heart Beat, Heart Conditions, and Heart Rhythm issues
• Diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2
• Seizures
• Epilepsy
• Closed Head Injuries
• Stroke
• Meningitis
• Focal Seizures
• Generalized Seizures
  • Absence Seizures
  • Tonic Seizures
  • Atonic Seizures
  • Clonic Seizures
  • Myocolonic Seizures
  • Tonic-colonic Seizures
• Sleep Disorders – Chronic Sleep Deprivation
  • Bruxism
  • Idiopathic Hypersomnia
  • Advanced Sleep Phase
  • Central Sleep Apnea
  • Delayed Sleep Phase
  • Confusional Arousals
  • Insomnia
  • Parasomnias
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome
  • Narcolepsy
  • Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Sleep Walking
• Loss of Consciousness
• Black Outs
• Impairment of Back, Limbs, or Neck – Stroke Injuries
• Cognitive Disorders
  • Head Injury
  • Stroke
  • Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
• Disorders of Vision
• Psychiatric Disorders
  • Schizophrenia
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
  • Frontotemporal Dementia
  • ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
  • Corticobasal Degeneration
• Neurological Disorders
  • Acute Spinal Cord Injury
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Cerebral Aneurysm
  • Ataxia
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Hydrocephalus
  • MS – Multiple Sclerosis
  • MD – Muscular Dystrophy
  • Septicemia
  • MG - Myasthenia Gravis

What Driving Restrictions May Apply?

Upon providing proper medical documentation and confirmation that your medical condition is determined “stable,” the Medical Review Unit may impose driving restrictions such as:

• Daylight Hours Only Driving
• Glasses, Corrective Lenses, Contacts
• Speed Limits – Driving Less than 45 miles per hour
• Prohibition against driving on the Highway or Interstate
• Limited Purpose Driving
  • Household Maintenance
  • Church
  • Doctor Visits
  • Physical Therapy
  • Grocery Store
  • Work – Place of Employment
• Limited Range – Radius from Home

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Medical Review Hearing?

As well-meaning as friends and family may be, a referral to the NCDMV Medical Review Unit can result in the suspension of your NC driver’s license.

"We think you are at a tremendous disadvantage going in there alone. Having a lawyer at your side is something we highly recommend."

- John Fanney, DMV Medical Review Defense Attorney

Just getting to the hearing can involve a somewhat complicated process of obtaining and providing medical documentation and records.

DMV Interlock Hearings

It may also review an exhaustive review of all your medical records, understanding that even medical professionals occasionally disagree with one another.

That’s one reason people sometimes get a second-opinion from another doctor.

Our goal is to provide a complete, accurate, and fair assessment of your ability to drive safely in North Carolina.

That may necessitate review by independent experts and medical professionals.

Some medical conditions draw more attention than others.

"One area that tends to surprise people are allegations Alcohol Addiction. That can cause problems with your license in North Carolina."

- John Fanney, NCDMV Appeals Lawyer

You may email John Fanney to confidentially discuss your individual legal matter, knowing we carefully protect your personal medical information.

John@FanneyLaw.com

---