District of Columbia
Driver Information By State
Every state regulates driver's license eligibility of persons with certain medical conditions. The most common requirement for people with epilepsy is that they be seizure free for a specific period of time and submit a physician's evaluation of their ability to drive safely. Another common requirement is the periodic submission of medical reports, in some states for a specified period of time and in others for as long as the person remains licensed.
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| Law | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| DMV Appeal of License Denial | Yes |
| Doctors to Report Epilepsy | No |
| Periodic Medical Updates Required After Licensing | Annually until seizure-free for 5 years |
| Seizure-Free Period | 1 year |
District of Columbia Driver Licensing Laws
The Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services learns of a person's epilepsy through questions asked on the application for license, as well as from reports by physicians, citizens or the police. In order to obtain a license, a person with epilepsy, who is under a physician's care, must furnish the Department of Transportation annually with a physician's certificate indicating that the physician has knowledge of the seizure history, that the applicant is capable of driving safely, and that the applicant has been free of seizures for at least twelve months preceding the application. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 106.7(a)-(c) (2020).
If a seizure has occurred within one year or shorter, applicant can be considered for a license if they meet one of the following circumstances: (a) the applicant has had a “single episode” loss of consciousness of controllable etiology, (b) if the alteration of consciousness was the result of a physician's recommendation to discontinue or change the use of medication, (c) or there is clear documentation of only nocturnal seizures. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 106.9 (2020). Restricted licenses are available. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 107 (2020).
The physician's certificate shall be submitted annually until the patient has been seizure-free for 5 consecutive years, at which time the physician's certificate is no longer required. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 106.8 (2020). When a physician’s certificate is no longer required, the individual may be asked to submit an affidavit in place of a physician’s certificate at twelve month intervals. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 106.10 (2020). When taking seizure medications, the individual must indicate that they have been seizure-free for the preceding twelve months. Physicians are not immune from liability for damages arising out of an accident caused by a seizure.
A person who has been denied a license may appeal the decision by demanding a hearing which shall be granted unless the Department Director’s actions were mandated by law or unless the person was previously given appropriate notice for a hearing. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 1005.1, 1005.4 (2020). The application must be made in writing within five days of the notice of suspension or revocation. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 1005.2 (2020).
Commercial Driving
D.C. has adopted the federal Department of Transportation's medical standards for licensing individuals to drive commercial vehicles intrastate. Persons with epilepsy are not licensed to drive commercial vehicles. There is no provision for granting waivers. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 1327.2 (2020). No person shall be considered for a license to operate taxicabs or other public vehicles for hire if at the time the application is filed the person has epilepsy. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 31, § 1003.6 (2020).
District of Columbia Identification Card
A non-driver may obtain an identification card from the Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services. Tit. 18 § 112.1. Per the DMV website, you need (1) proof of identity; (2) Proof of Social Security Number; (3) Proof of Current DC Residency. There is a $20.00 fee, which is waived for persons over the age of 65. D.C. MUN. REGS. tit. 18, § 112.12 (2020).
District of Columbia Reporting
There is no provision in D.C. law requiring the reporting to a central government agency of one who has been treated for or diagnosed as having epilepsy.
© 2020 Epilepsy Foundation. All rights reserved. This summary was developed for informational purposes by the Epilepsy Foundation and reflects a review of data available as of August 2020. Information is subject to change. This summary is not a substitute for legal advice. For further information, please consult your state Department of Motor Vehicles.