Unsolicited Driver Fitness Reports

Office of the Superintendentof Motor VehiclesFACT SHEETJuly 2012When the Driving Ability of SomeoneConcerns You:“Unsolicited Driver Fitness Reports”The scope of Superintendent'sauthority to determine a driver'sfitness to driveUnder the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), theSuperintendent of Motor Vehicles has theresponsibility for determining if those whohold or are applying for a British Columbiadriver's licence are fit to drive. While theSuperintendent personally holds ultimatedecision making authority, this authoritymay be delegated to staff of the Office ofthe Superintendent of Motor Vehicles(OSMV).In addition to the regular testing conductedwhen applying for a licence, theSuperintendent may require a driver to takea vision test, a functional drivingassessment, or get a medical or otherexamination in order to help determinewhether a driver is able to drive safely.Usually this is done if a person's drivingrecord suggests that it is appropriate, or ifinformation is received concerning a driver'sfitness to drive.Who can advise OSMV aboutconcerns that a person is not fitto drive safely?Medical professionals, vision specialists,family members, allied health care providers,or concerned citizens can send a report tothe OSMV regarding concerns they haveabout a driver's fitness to drive safely.Because there are approximately 3 millionlicensed drivers in B.C,, some of whom havesimilar names, we require as muchidentifying information as you can giveabout the driver. Most important is thedriver's full name, and a furtherdistinguishing detail. While a driver's licencenumber is best, we recognize that it is oftennot available to the person making thereport. Other details that assist us inaccessing the correct driver's record includethe driver's birth date, and their address.The report must include details concerningthe driver's fitness to drive safely. We alsoneed the full name of the person providingthe report, and a contact number oraddress.OSMV will not consider anonymous reports,or verbal reports. Reports must be in writingand give supporting reasons, rather thanPSSG09-001 REV July 3, 20121 / 2

simply stating that a person is unfit todrive. The report must be from a personwith first hand knowledge.Reports can be mailed to the followingaddress:Office of the Superintendent of MotorVehiclesAttn: Driver Fitness UnitPO Box 9254 STN PROV GOVTVictoria, BC V8W 9J2What happens after a report isreceived by OSMV?Unsolicited reports expressing concernsregarding a driver's safety on the road aregiven high priority by OSMV. The report willbe reviewed and, if a decision is made thatmedical information or another exam isrequired, the driver will be contacteddirectly.disclosed in the report, it will becomeknown to the driver what condition wasreported. An individual's personalinformation cannot be released to any thirdparty without authorized consent. If a driversubmits a request for a copy of their driverfitness file under the Act, and an unsolicitedreport is found, the writer of the report willbe given the opportunity to express theirconcerns regarding disclosure.Will OSMV advise the reportingperson whether action was takenregarding the driver?Due to client confidentiality, OSMV cannotdisclose what actions it has taken to anyoneother than the driver, or a person authorizedby the driver in writing to have access tothis information (for example, a driver maygive this authority to their lawyer). This ispursuant to section 22 of FOIPPA.Will the driver know whocontacted OSMV regarding theirfitness to drive?Confidentiality is protected under theFreedom of Information and Protection ofPrivacy Act (FOIPPA). Unsolicited reportsare placed on the driver's file but OSMV willnot release the report or informationsupplied by the writer to the driver. Theexception is that if medical conditions areFor more information:• Visit the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles website atwww.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv• Visit ICBC website at: www.icbc.comTo request records under the FOIPPA, please contact:Information Access OperationsPO BOX 9569 STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9K1E-mail: FOI.Requests@gov.bc.ca Fax: (250) 387-9843www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/index.htmlFor any additional information, call the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles inVictoria at (250) 387-7747.2 / 2