Connecticut

When the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has knowledge that an individual has experienced an episode involving altered consciousness or loss of bodily control, prior to licensing action, whether issuance of a new license or retention of current license, the DMV requests the individual to file specific medical forms. CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 14-45a-6(a) (2020). The commissioner then reviews the medical forms. CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 14-45a-6(b) (2020). If a person has experienced an episode in the preceding six months, the commissioner must request the opinion of the Medical Advisory Board (MAB). CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 14-45a-6(c) (2020). Each case is reviewed individually; therefore, any decision regarding initiation of withdrawal action, whether for a period of 3 months from the date of the most recent episode, or six months or for a greater period of time, or requiring a person to file medical reports at certain intervals for a specific period of time, would be based on the person's specific medical condition.

The MAB may, regarding any medical condition, consider the following information: the history of the condition, the severity of the symptoms and prognosis, complications and/or co-morbid conditions, treatment and medications, effects and side effects, and the individual's knowledge and use of medications, the degree of functional impairment, including the extent to which loss of muscle tone affects functional ability, the extent to which loss of muscle movement affects functional ability, the extent to which muscle spasm affects functional ability, the basic driving needs of the person, including the distance from the applicant's home to the person's doctor, place of employment, shopping districts or other necessary locations. CONN. AGENCIES REGS. §§ 14-45a-8(a)(1-2), 14-45a-8(g)(1) (2020).

No civil action may be brought against the commissioner, the department or any of its employees, the board or any of its members or any physician for providing any reports, records, examinations, opinions or recommendations pursuant to §§ 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes. CONN. GEN. STAT. § 14-46f (2020). Any persons acting in good faith without negligence or malicious intent in making any report to the commissioner or board pursuant to §§ 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, shall be immune from civil liability. CONN. GEN. STAT. § 14-46f (2020). A license may be withdrawn when a person has had an unfavorable medical report submitted on their behalf. CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 14-45a-6(d) (2020). A person whose license has been withdrawn, suspended or denied under CONN. GEN. STAT. §§ 14-46a to 14-46f, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes, has the right to appeal under Chapter 54, or the person may request, in writing, an administrative hearing. CONN. GEN. STAT. § 14-46g (2020).

Commercial Driving

A person who operates a commercial vehicle and must hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) is subject to both Connecticut and the federal DOT health standards. Connecticut has specific medical standards for persons who operate a school bus, student transportation vehicle, vanpool vehicle, or a bus, or a public service vehicle, or a service bus. Currently, any person who operates a public service vehicle or service bus must submit evidence the they have successfully completed a physical examination. No person shall be issued a license for the operation of a public service motor vehicle or service bus, if that person has an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a motor vehicle. CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 14-44-1(a), (b)(8) (2020).

Individuals who do not drive or whose licenses are suspended or withdrawn may obtain a state I.D. card. Two forms of identification are required of the applicant -- one must be a birth certificate, along with one of the following: employee I.D. by Federal or State Government with signature and photograph, passport, military I.D., alien registration document with photograph, I.D. card issued by income maintenance with photograph, social security card with signature, bank book with signature, baptismal certificate, pistol or firearm permit, military discharge papers (form DD214), naturalization certificate, certified adoption papers, and certified school records. The above must be accompanied by resident address verification, in the form of a postmarked letter, utility bill, lease/rental agreement, or mortgage document and a fee of $22.00.

Any physician may report to the Department of Motor Vehicles, in writing, the name, age and address of "any person diagnosed by [them] to have any chronic health problems which in the physician's judgment will significantly affect the person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, or to have recurrent periods of unconsciousness uncontrolled by medical treatment". CONN. GEN. STAT. § 14-46 (2020).

© 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.