2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

16.7 Private and commercial drivers with recurrent episodes that occur withoutwarning symptomsApplicationAssessment guidelinesFitness guidelinesOSMV determinationguidelinesConditionsRestrictionsRe-assessment guidelinesPolicy rationaleThese guidelines apply to private and commercial drivers with a vestibulardisorder who have recurrent episodes of vestibular dysfunction that occurwithout warning symptoms. This may include individuals with: benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) Meniere’s disease vestibular neuronitis (labyrinthitis) migraines, or psychogenic vertigo/anxiety (hyperventilation syndrome).If further information regarding an individual’s medical condition isrequired, OSMV will request: a Driver’s Medical Examination Report additional information from the treating physician, or an assessment from a specialist.Individuals must immediately stop driving and may not drive for aminimum of 6 months after an episode. After 6 months, individuals maydrive: private vehicles if their treating physician indicates that their symptomshave been controlled or have abated commercial vehicles if a specialist indicates that their symptoms havebeen controlled or have abated.OSMV may find individuals fit to drive if: it has been at least 6 months since they last had an episode, and for private drivers, their treating physician indicates that their symptomshave been controlled or have abated, or for commercial drivers, a specialist, or their treating physician if thephysician has been treating the patient for two years or more, indicatesthat their symptoms have been controlled or have abated.OSMV will impose the following condition on an individual who is foundfit to drive: you must immediately stop driving and report to OSMV and yourphysician if you have an episode of vestibular dysfunction.No restrictions are required.No re-assessment, other than routine commercial or age-related assessment,is required.Where episodes of vestibular dysfunction are not preceded by warningsymptoms or the warning symptoms are not sufficient to allow the driver tosafely stop driving, evidence that further episodes are unlikely to occur isrequired to mitigate the risk. Consensus medical opinion suggests that thisevidence should include a minimum period of 6 months without an episodeand opinion of the treating physician that this episode-free period reflectseffective treatment or abatement of the episodes.156