§ 31-10-44. Medical advisory board.
(a) There shall be established within the division of motor vehicles a medical advisory board to function solely as an advisory panel to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles on the subjects of physical and mental fitness standards for licensure to operate a motor vehicle and eligibility standards for disability parking privileges. When any person’s eligibility or continuing eligibility for a license is questioned on the grounds of physical or mental fitness, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may consult with relevant specialist members of the medical advisory board in determining that person’s qualifications to operate a motor vehicle. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles may also consult with relevant specialist members of the medical advisory board in making determinations of eligibility for disability parking privileges.
(b) In accordance with chapter 35 of title 42, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall establish by regulations functional standards for determining physical and mental fitness for motor vehicle licensure. The promulgated standards will be based on current medical knowledge and objective data regarding fitness to safely operate motor vehicles, and will conform to the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Acts and chapter 87 of title 42. In developing those functional standards the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall consult with knowledgeable health and rehabilitation professionals including the Medical Society of Rhode Island and the medical advisory board.
(c) The medical board shall consist of a physician in general practice, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, an optometrist, and an orthopedic physician who shall be appointed by the governor; a physician from the Rhode Island department of health designated by the director of health who shall serve ex officio; and two (2) members of the general public approved by the governor, one of whom shall be representative of the elderly, and one of whom shall be representative of the people who are disabled. These members shall be appointed for a period of three (3) years.
(d) Any physician or optometrist who diagnoses a physical or mental condition which in the physician’s or optometrist’s judgment will significantly impair the person’s ability to operate safely a motor vehicle may voluntarily report the person’s name and other information relevant to the condition to the medical advisory board within the division of motor vehicles.
(e) Any physician or optometrist reporting in good faith and exercising due care shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that otherwise might result by reason of his or her actions pursuant to this section. No cause of action may be brought against any physician or optometrist for not making a report pursuant to this section.
(f) For the purposes of this section, a “physician” is any person practicing medicine requiring a license pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5, and an “optometrist” is any person as defined in § 5-35-1.
(g) Members of the medical board shall not be compensated for their services on the board. They shall meet at the request of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles at a time convenient to them.
History of Section.P.L. 1967, ch. 185, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 226, § 22; P.L. 1982, ch. 414, § 13; P.L. 1984, ch. 225, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 502, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 89, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 69; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 69; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 62; P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 21, § 27.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-10 - Operators’ and Chauffeurs’ Licenses
Section 31-10-1. - License required to drive.
Section 31-10-2. - Persons exempt from licensing requirements.
Section 31-10-3. - Persons ineligible for licenses.
Section 31-10-4. - Classification of chauffeurs — Examination of applicants.
Section 31-10-5. - Special restrictions for drivers for compensation.
Section 31-10-5.1. - School bus driver annual training.
Section 31-10-6. - Graduated licensing for person under the age of eighteen (18).
Section 31-10-6.1. - Supervising driver.
Section 31-10-6.2. - Out-of-state exceptions.
Section 31-10-6.3. - Duration and fee.
Section 31-10-6.4. - Violations.
Section 31-10-6.5. - Insurance status.
Section 31-10-7. - Temporary driver’s permit — Persons over the age of eighteen (18).
Section 31-10-8. - Special armed forces operator’s license.
Section 31-10-9. - Operator’s license issued after expiration of armed forces license.
Section 31-10-10. - Rules as to armed forces license.
Section 31-10-11. - Application forms — Destruction of refused applications.
Section 31-10-12. - Contents of application.
Section 31-10-13. - Record from other jurisdiction.
Section 31-10-14. - Applications of minors.
Section 31-10-15. - Liability of person signing minor’s application.
Section 31-10-16. - Liability when minor proves financial responsibility.
Section 31-10-17. - Release from liability.
Section 31-10-18. - Cancellation of license upon death of person signing minor’s application.
Section 31-10-20. - Driver education course requirement before licensing.
Section 31-10-21. - Written and eye examination.
Section 31-10-22. - Road test.
Section 31-10-23. - Examiners not liable for acts of persons being examined.
Section 31-10-24. - Applicants excused from road test.
Section 31-10-26. - Issuance of license.
Section 31-10-26.1. - Anatomical gifts by drivers.
Section 31-10-27. - License to be carried and exhibited on demand.
Section 31-10-28. - Restricted licenses.
Section 31-10-29. - Duplicate certificates.
Section 31-10-30. - Expiration and renewal of licenses.
Section 31-10-32. - Notice of change of address or name.
Section 31-10-33. - Records to be kept by the division of motor vehicles.
Section 31-10-34 - — 31-10-34.4. Repealed.
Section 31-10-34.5. - Transfer of functions to administrator of division of motor vehicles.
Section 31-10-35. - Commercial drivers’ school license required.
Section 31-10-36. - Application for commercial drivers’ school license.
Section 31-10-37. - Fee — Expiration of license — Duplicates.
Section 31-10-38. - Denial, suspension, or revocation of commercial drivers’ school licenses.
Section 31-10-39. - Instructor’s license required.
Section 31-10-40. - Fee — Expiration of instructor’s license.
Section 31-10-41. - Denial, suspension, or revocation of instructor’s license.
Section 31-10-43. - Penalties for violations.
Section 31-10-44. - Medical advisory board.
Section 31-10-45. - Safety belts.
Section 31-10-46. - Driver education course — Credit given.
Section 31-10-47. - Notification of selective service registration requirement.
Section 31-10-48. - Veteran designation on operator license.