OSA and the DMV

I was wondering if by law I have to report I have sleep apnea to the DMV? I've been reading articles about car crashes being the number one killer of patients with OSA. I know laws are different in every state. My husband brought up the point that he wears glasses and by law has to report that for his drivers license to the DMV. Ive looked it up on google but couldn't find anything.

First off there is no law or requirement that you must report to the DMV that you wear glasses. If you can pass the eye test (Which is just this side of blindness) you are good to go. I've worn glasses for 40 years but I can pass the eye test without them. The DMV couldn't care less if I choose to wear glasses. Since I passed I don't have a driving restriction.

Same goes for sleep apnea. None of their business. Would you report to them a bladder problem, hemorrhoids or jock itch?

As long as you are getting therapy and are not having "blackouts", I would see no reason.
I read that in most areas, reporting health-related matters are private and left up to the patient's conscience.
If your family feels you are a danger to others, they may go over your head, but I don't believe a doctor can. (but I could be wrong)

I would think a doctor going over your head would be a breach of confidence? Although I read that in some states people over 75 must have a medical release if they drive. So although right now it's a "no need to tell" basis but could that change? Enough people have died at the wheel from OSA to think that.

Wonderbeastlett wrote: So although right now it's a "no need to tell" basis but could that change?

I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of rules and regulations down the road for us regular drivers.
Over the road truck drivers already have rules and regulations about sleep apnea treatment. It has been in place for a while now at the federal DOT level. If it is on their medical card they better be prepared to prove they use the machine. OTR truck drivers get a required physical every 2 years and with some companies are even forced to take a sleep study if they meet certain criteria.

With the way the government wants to legislate things...never know. One day sleep apnea might be on a list similar to sexually transmitted diseases where health care providers are required by law to report a person especially if they are not using the machine.

It really depends on where you live. In Quebec and Ontario they are much more stringent. You have to answer lots of health question to get your license renewed and require doctors authorization for many like high blood pressure. I believe in Ontario the dr is mandated to report OSA.

It is not about privacy it is about road safety. The safety of people on the road, including the kids walking to school come before your privacy.

flatag wrote:Same goes for sleep apnea. None of their business. Would you report to them a bladder problem, hemorrhoids or jock itch?

Let's hope DMV compliance never gets to that stage! If so, I'm walking!

Why worry about making your life worse than it has to be, the government will get around to doing that soon enough. Jim

First thing they have to get all the Guns and Ammo!

BlackSpinner wrote:

It is not about privacy it is about road safety. The safety of people on the road, including the kids walking to school come before your privacy.

People on cpap therapy are not a danger to people on the road. It's the folk who are not. Should the DMV require a sleep test for your license renewal? Should people who drink alcohol be required to report they are drinkers on their license? Maybe you should have to report that you have a spouse that snores thus wakes you up at night or that you can't hold your badder til morning. All these things contribute to road safety.

It's none of the governments business.

Wonderbeastlett wrote:I would think a doctor going over your head would be a breach of confidence? Although I read that in some states people over 75 must have a medical release if they drive. So although right now it's a "no need to tell" basis but could that change? Enough people have died at the wheel from OSA to think that.

How do you know that?

Well I know that the 2 most common/related deaths are heart related and car accidents. Personally I've never had anyone die from a car crash but I've had several family members get into crashs. My dad, uncle, grandma and grandpa all have severe OSA. That was just my personal expierience and opinion. I personally think there are enough people on this forum and elsewhere who have had friends and family in car crashs or they themselves have been in a car crash because of OSA.

Perhaps I'm completely wrong but I believe it's a big issue in the OSA world.

Wonderbeastlett wrote:Well I know that the 2 most common/related deaths are heart related and car accidents. Personally I've never had anyone die from a car crash but I've had several family members get into crashs. My dad, uncle, grandma and grandpa all have severe OSA. That was just my personal expierience and opinion. I personally think there are enough people on this forum and elsewhere who have had friends and family in car crashs or they themselves have been in a car crash because of OSA.

Perhaps I'm completely wrong but I believe it's a big issue in the OSA world.

If you are not being treated for osa, then you could fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident. But if you are being successfully treated you are getting sufficient sleep and treatment, you will not fall asleep while driving. (unless you are stupid enought to drive while you have not had ANY sleep).

Big Brother is getting bigger every year. I would expect to see more and more requirements for doctors to report everything to the government as part of socialized medicine, and for Big Brother to start using this against the peasants more and more often.

Requiring doctors to report OSA would be an incredibly bad idea. Once the word gets out, anyone who thinks they may have apnea will have a strong incentive to conceal it and not get tested. You'll end up with many more untreated apnea patients driving around. "Dear patient, please take this expensive uncomfortable test so I can take away your driver's license."

Since it's such a bad idea, expect it to become law soon across the country.

Nebraska is still laissez-faire unless you have a CDL.
You can still see the occasional 90-YO driver puttering along in the fast lane.
If there are enough reports to the police about dangerous incidents,
they could (but do they?) require a doctor's note when they renew--which may be years.

flatag wrote:

BlackSpinner wrote:

It is not about privacy it is about road safety. The safety of people on the road, including the kids walking to school come before your privacy.

People on cpap therapy are not a danger to people on the road. It's the folk who are not. Should the DMV require a sleep test for your license renewal? Should people who drink alcohol be required to report they are drinkers on their license? Maybe you should have to report that you have a spouse that snores thus wakes you up at night or that you can't hold your badder til morning. All these things contribute to road safety.

It's none of the governments business.

No the DMV requires the documented use of the cpap machine or it yanks your license. Do you want your kids on the road with a bunch of documented incapacitated people? Sleep deprived people test worse then drunks. And if you are caught driving legally drunk you get charged - because driving under the influence is already illegal, allowing some one under the influence to drive is illegal.