Can the California DMV Suspend Your Driver’s License if You Have a Mental Health Disorder?

Article written by Delta Driving School

California drivers are required to undergo a vetting process to qualify for the issuance of a driver’s license. This process is designed to verify an applicant’s identity, as well as determine if the person possesses proper skills and knowledge for driving.

Even after a driver’s license has been issued, Californians remain under the watchful eye of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For the entire span of their driving life, drivers must maintain the knowledge, skill and physical/mental fitness to drive. If the DMV is made aware that a person may have lost knowledge or mental fitness to drive, the department will require the driver to return to the DMV for a re-examination.

The DMV is particularly concerned about drivers who develop mental health disorders as these conditions, along with the medication used to treat the conditions, can reduce the ability of the effected driver to respond to the rapidly changing environment of the road. Some mental health disorders that cause the DMV to suspend a driver’s license include:

Bipolar Disorder

Depression

Anxiety

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Schizophrenia

Chemical Dependence

What Happens After the Re-Examination Process?

After the re-examination process is complete, the Hearing Officer will decide to either leave the driver’s license intact or suspend the license if evidence suggests a person’s driving ability is affected by their mental health condition. Drivers whose re-examination ends with a license suspension are entitled to an Administrative Hearing to defend themselves and reverse the license suspension.

This article was sent to us by Delta Driving School. They are a Driving School in La Crescenta CA and neighboring cities. Make sure to contact them if you are looking for a driving school in that area.