Senior Drivers

Driving is more than getting from one place to another; it represents freedom and independence. Most seniors would like to keep driving for as long as they safely can. For many people, a time may come when they must limit or stop driving either temporarily or permanently.

Report Drivers with Medical/Physical Disabilities

In order to report an unsafe driver to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Driver Improvement Unit, you must submit a written request with the name and birthdate of the driver, along with a brief description of the problem and your name and phone number. We cannot accept anonymous referrals. You may use the “Special/Medical Examination Request Form” listed below.  Submit the referral to us by email to driver.improvement@tn.gov. When Driver Improvement receives a signed, written referral or complaint that a driver has a medical/physical disability, the driver will be given the opportunity to have their medical professional complete and submit a medical form (see below) for review.

Drivers with Medical/Physical Disabilities Reporting Documents:

Applicants for Class D, PD, or H licenses who are handicapped by low vision acuity, but who otherwise qualify for a driving privilege, may be licensed under the following guidelines:

Qualifications:

The applicant shall have acceptable mobility and shall be free of all mental impairments.

Prior to application, the bioptic wearer shall complete training in driving with a bioptic telescopic lens(es) from a driving instructor certified in this field.

The applicant shall have a visual acuity of at least 20/200 in both eyes with the best conventional nontelescopic corrective lens(es), and a full visual field.

The central field vision loss shall not exceed five (5) degrees.

The applicant’s visual acuity with the bioptic telescope shall be at least 20/60.

The power of the bioptic telescope shall not exceed four power (4x).

The bioptic telescopic lens(es) may be fit either monocularly or binocularly, but shall be located superior to the normal line of gaze.

The applicant shall have a horizontal visual field diameter of no less than one hundred fifty (150) degrees without the use of field expanders.

The applicant shall present a report on a form supplied by the department by an optometrist or ophthalmologist identified by a recognized professional organization as one especially qualified in the field of Low Vision care. 

The applicant shall present certification of having completed a certified driver training course completed while the applicant was wearing the bioptic telescopic lens(es).

Applications are reviewed by the Driver Improvement Section (615) 251-5235. 

Action taken against these drivers, if any, is based on the completed medical form or other information submitted by their medical professional. In some cases, their driving privileges may be suspended, or restrictions may be added. The driver may also in some cases be required to retake all, or any part, of the driver license examination.

 

Resource Links for Senior Drivers

Resource Documents for Senior Drivers