What the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing does with medical and vision information
The Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing, part of the state's Transportation Cabinet, is the agency that decides whether you can keep your driver's license based on medical or vision conditions. They do not make the medical judgment themselves — your doctor does that — but they enforce the rules about which conditions require reporting, when you must take a vision test, and what happens if you do not meet the state's standards.
Kentucky law requires you to report certain medical conditions to the Division. These include seizure disorders, loss of consciousness, diabetes managed with insulin, and conditions that affect your ability to control a vehicle. You do not report these to your doctor; you report them to the Division of Driver Licensing. If you do not report and you are involved in a crash, the Division can suspend your license and you may face legal liability for failing to disclose.
The Division also conducts vision screening at renewal. If you fail that screening or if your eye doctor reports that your vision no longer meets Kentucky's standard — which is 20/60 in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected — the Division will restrict or suspend your license. Some restrictions allow you to drive only during daylight or only within a certain distance of your home.
Key Takeaways
- You must report seizure disorders, loss of consciousness, insulin-managed diabetes, and other serious medical conditions directly to the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing, not to your doctor.
- Kentucky requires vision of at least 20/60 in one eye at license renewal, and the Division conducts the screening or accepts results from your eye doctor.
- If you fail a vision test or your condition worsens, the Division may restrict your license to daylight driving, limited distance, or suspend it entirely.
- You can request a hearing before the Division suspends or restricts your license, and you have the right to present medical evidence that you are still safe to drive.
How to report a medical condition to the Division
You report a medical condition by contacting the Division of Driver Licensing directly. The fastest way is to call the Medical Review Unit at the Division's main office in Frankfort. You can also visit a local driver licensing office in person and ask to speak with a medical examiner, or you can mail a written report with your name, license number, and a description of your condition.
When you report, be specific about what the condition is and when it started. If you have already seen a doctor about it, bring or send a copy of the medical report. The Division will review what you submit and may ask you to undergo a medical examination by a Division physician or to provide additional documentation from your own doctor. This examination is free.
Reporting a condition does not automatically mean you will lose your license. The Division weighs the condition against Kentucky's driving standards. Many people with managed medical conditions continue to drive with no restriction. If the Division does restrict or suspend your license, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason and your right to a hearing.
Vision testing and renewal requirements
Every time you renew your Kentucky driver's license, you must pass a vision screening. The Division conducts this screening at the licensing office, or you can have your eye doctor perform it and submit the results. Kentucky's minimum vision standard is 20/60 in at least one eye. If you wear glasses or contacts, the Division tests you with them on — corrected vision is what matters.
If you fail the screening at the licensing office, the Division will not renew your license until you visit an eye doctor and bring back a report showing that you meet the standard. You have 30 days to do this. If you do not, your license will expire and you cannot drive legally.
If your eye doctor reports to the Division that your vision has dropped below 20/60, or if you have a condition like macular degeneration or advanced glaucoma that affects your field of vision, the Division may restrict your license before renewal. Common restrictions include daylight-only driving, no highway driving, or a requirement to wear corrective lenses at all times.
What happens if you do not report a medical condition
Failing to report a medical condition that you know affects your ability to drive can result in license suspension. If you are involved in a crash and the Division discovers that you did not report a condition you were aware of, they can suspend your license for up to one year. You may also face criminal charges if someone is injured and it is found that you knowingly drove while unsafe.
Insurance companies can also deny a claim if they discover you did not report a known medical condition to the Division. This means that if you cause a crash, you could be personally liable for all damages because your insurance will not cover it.
The Division does not routinely check medical records or contact your doctor. They rely on you to report. However, if your doctor believes you are unsafe to drive, they can report you to the Division in most states, and Kentucky allows this as well. Once reported by a medical professional, the Division will investigate.
Requesting a hearing if your license is suspended or restricted
If the Division suspends or restricts your license based on a medical or vision condition, you have the right to request a hearing. You must request it in writing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. Send your request to the Division of Driver Licensing, Medical Review Unit, in Frankfort. Include your name, license number, and a brief statement of why you believe the decision is wrong.
At the hearing, you can present medical evidence, testimony from your doctor, and your own account of your driving ability. The Division will present its findings. A hearing officer will then decide whether to uphold the suspension, modify it, or overturn it. If you disagree with the hearing officer's decision, you can appeal to Franklin Circuit Court.
Many people win their hearings by bringing current medical documentation showing that their condition is stable or improved, or that they have taken steps to manage it safely. If you have been managing a seizure disorder with medication for several years without incident, or if your vision has improved after cataract surgery, bring that evidence.
Conditional licenses and restrictions
Kentucky allows the Division to issue a conditional or restricted license instead of a full suspension. A restricted license might allow you to drive only during daylight hours, only within a certain radius of your home, only to medical appointments or work, or only with corrective lenses. The Division uses restrictions when it believes you can drive safely under certain conditions.
If you receive a restricted license, you must follow the restrictions exactly. Driving outside those restrictions — for example, driving at night when your license says daylight only — is a violation and can result in a full suspension. The Division will specify the restrictions in writing on your license or in a separate document.
You can request that restrictions be removed if your condition improves or is better managed. Contact the Medical Review Unit and submit updated medical documentation. The Division will review it and may modify or remove the restrictions.
Contact information and next steps
The Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing is located in Frankfort and operates regional offices throughout the state. You can find the office nearest you on the Transportation Cabinet website. The Medical Review Unit handles all medical and vision matters related to licensing.
If you have a medical condition or vision concern, contact the Division before your next renewal or before you are involved in an incident. If you have already received a suspension or restriction notice and want to understand your options, request a hearing within 10 days. Bring any medical documentation you have, and consider consulting with your doctor about what evidence would be most helpful to present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tell the Division about every health condition I have?
No. You only need to report conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely — seizures, fainting, severe arthritis that limits steering, diabetes managed with insulin, and similar conditions. Minor conditions like allergies or mild hypertension do not require reporting unless your doctor says they affect your driving.
What if my eye doctor says my vision is fine but the Division's test says it is not?
Ask your eye doctor to submit their test results directly to the Division. If there is a discrepancy, the Division will usually accept the eye doctor's results if they are recent and conducted properly. If the results still do not match, you can request a hearing and bring your eye doctor's documentation.
Can I drive while I am waiting for a hearing on my suspension?
No. Your license is suspended when ready when the Division issues the suspension notice. You cannot drive legally until the hearing officer decides to reinstate or modify it. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, explain that at your hearing and ask the officer to consider a conditional license.
How long does a medical suspension last?
It depends on the condition and the Division's decision. Some suspensions last 30 days, others six months or a year. The Division will tell you in the suspension notice. You can request a hearing to challenge the length or ask for it to be shortened if your condition improves.
What if I move to another state — does my Kentucky medical history follow me?
No. Each state maintains its own licensing records. However, if you are suspended in Kentucky for a medical reason, you should disclose that when you explore for a license in another state, because they may conduct their own medical review. Lying about a prior suspension can result in denial of a license in the new state.