2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

Because of these limitations, OSMV cannot precisely calculate the riskpresented by a driver with a particular medical condition. However,OSMV can determine the general degree of risk presented by a driver witha particular medical condition by using a risk assessment analysis thattakes into account:research associating the medical condition with adverse drivingoutcomes or evidence of functional impairmentexpert opinion regarding the degree of risk associated with the medicalcondition at various severity levels, andthe individual characteristics and abilities of each driver, for examplewhether the driver:o is a commercial or private drivero can compensate for the functional impairmento is compliant with their treatment regime, ando has insight into the impact that their medical condition mayhave on driving.The policies outlined in this manual guide OSMV decision-makers indetermining the degree of risk presented by individual drivers. Themedical condition guidelines included in the medical condition chapters ofthis manual are based on the best available evidence regarding degree ofrisk and identify where the use of conditions, restrictions and/orcompensation strategies may be appropriate to reduce risk. If the riskassociated with a medical condition at a certain severity level is high, andthe risk cannot be reduced through the use of conditions, restrictionsand/or compensation strategies, the guidelines indicate that an individualis not fit to drive. By applying the medical condition guidelines, OSMVdecision-makers are practising risk management.3.3 Functional approachDriver fitness determinations will be based on a functional approach todriver fitness.OSMV takes a functional approach to determining driver fitness. Thismeans that, when making driver fitness determinations, OSMV assessesthe effect(s) that a medical condition has on the functions necessary fordriving.17