Seizure and Loss of Consciousness Standard and Procedures

(1) Seizure and Loss of Consciousness Standard. When the Registry receives information that a licensee or applicant for a learner’s permit or license has experienced a seizure, syncope, or any other form of altered consciousness which will or may affect the safe operation of a motor vehicle, that licensee or applicant shall be deemed ineligible for a license to operate a motor vehicle. That licensee shall voluntarily surrender his or her license or the Registry shall suspend or revoke the license, until the licensee has been episode free for a minimum of six months, subject to the exception of 540 CMR 24.05(2), and the licensee or applicant submits an evaluation completed by his or her physician confirming that he or she has been free from episodes for a minimum of six months, and which states all of the following: (a) the cause of the episode (type of disorder suffered); and (b) the means by which the condition is controlled (including any medications and dosages); and (c) the degree of impairment or disability suffered during the episode (extent of episode); and (d) the probability of recurrence of the episode (including frequency of occurrence, degree of assurance that the event will not reoccur, and basis for estimate of probability); and (e) date of most recent episode; and (f) a certification, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that the individual’s medical condition and medications will not interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. (2) Exemptions From and Extensions of the Six Month Period. The Registrar or his designee may exempt an individual from the six month episode free requirement upon receipt of a certification from the physician containing all of the information specified in 540 CMR 24.05(1) and requesting that the individual be granted an exemption from the six month episode free policy because the physician has determined that the individual’s medical condition and medications will not interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle, with specific reasons provided for such determination. Conversely, the Registrar or his or her designee may require that a person be episode free for longer than six months prior to issuing, renewing, or reinstating a license. qualification criteria as he or she deems appropriate, or may modify these standards as an individual case may require.