2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

Persistent impairmentPrevalencePrivate driverRe-assessmentRestrictionSudden incapacitationis an ongoing or continuous impairment to a function necessary fordriving. The potential impacts of persistent impairments on thefunctions necessary for driving are generally measurable, testableand observable. Although the condition may be progressive, theprogression is usually slow and sudden deterioration is unlikely.Persistent impairments may be stable, e.g. loss of leg, orprogressive, e.g. arthritis.means the global occurrence of a medical condition.means a driver with a class 5, 6, 7 or 8 licence.is the process of screening, assessment and determination for anindividual with a previously reported medical condition. Reassessmentis initiated when a request for a driver’s medicalexamination or an EVF is sent to an individual at the expiration ofan OSMV-scheduled re-assessment interval.means a restriction that is printed on a driver’s licence and isenforceable at the roadside through fines. Non-compliance with arestriction is an offence.Restrictions are commonly used for impairments where a drivercan compensate. However, on occasion they may be used forimpairments for which a driver cannot compensate. Examples ofrestrictions where a driver can compensate for their persistentimpairment are ‘wear corrective lenses’, ‘must only drive modifiedvehicle with steering knob’ and ‘use oversized mirrors.’ Arestriction where a driver cannot compensate would be ‘do notdrive at night’ for persistent night blindness.means the sudden loss of the functions necessary for driving. Itmay be the result of a total or partial loss of consciousness,narcolepsy, overwhelming pain, seizures or other episodic events.374