Massachusetts law about medical qualifications to operate a motor vehicle

Laws, regulations, and web sources on medical qualifications to operate a motor vehicle law.

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Massachusetts laws

75 yrs old  Renew in person

MGL c.90, § 8 says, in part, "An applicant for the renewal of a license 75 years of age or older shall apply for a renewal in person at a registry branch office"

MGL c.90, § 8C Medical advisory board; standards of fitness for applicants for learner's permits and licenses

MGL c.90, § 22I Permits health care providers and law enforcement officers to report a person to the Registry of Motor Vehicles if they believe the individual cannot safely operate a motor vehicle

Massachusetts regulations

105 CMR 309 Safe driving
Defines mental and physical driving impairments.

540 CMR 2.06(3)(K) Requirements for driver licenses
Completion of road test may be required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles if there is reason to believe a person is physically or mentally incapable of operating a motor vehicle.

540 CMR 24 Medical qualifications for operators of motor vehicles
"provid[es] minimum physical and mental qualification standards determined to be necessary for the safe operation of a motor vehicle."

Federal regulations

49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers of commercial motor vehicles

Forms

Medical evaluation form, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Must be completed by a medical doctor licensed to practice in Massachusetts.

Request for medical evaluation, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Form used by a medical provider or law enforcement officer to report a driver who is on longer physically and/or cognitively capable of operating a motor vehicle.
 

Web sources

Medical qualifications for commercial driver’s licenses, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Information on intrastate waivers related to vision, diabetes, cardiovascular, loss or impairment of limb, and deaf or hard of hearing. Link to application form for commercial intrastate medical waivers.

Medical review practices for driver licensing, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2017.
State summary for Massachusetts begins on page 180 of volume 3.

Medical standards for school bus and school pupils (7D) driver’s licenses, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Standards for medical conditions including vision, cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory and epilepsy.  Links to certificate application and medical evaluation forms.

Medical standards related to driving, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Includes information on reporting a medically impaired driver, getting a disability plate or placard, and more. See also Medical standards for passenger (Class D) and motorcycle (Class M) driver's licenses.

Older drivers, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Includes information for older drivers, their families, and physicians on safe driving for the elderly and reporting concerns about health issues affecting driving ability.

Senior driver safety & mobility, American Automobile Association.
Includes evaluating your driving ability, improving your driving skills, and resources for family and friends.

Your health and driving safely, Mass. Medical Society.
Pamphlet with list of medical conditions that can affect driving as well as driving evaluation and driver training programs.

Your health and driving safely in Massachusetts, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Contains information about the signs of unsafe driving, adaptive driving equipment, and alternative means of transportation.

Print sources

Elder law education guide, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2023, chapter 14, Older adult driving.

Motor vehicle law and practice: with forms, 5th ed. (Mass. Practice v.11) Thomson Reuters, 2021 with supplement.
Sections 3:86 to 3:103 Medical issues pertaining to license to operate.

Last updated:	May 22, 2023