Driving, the DMV, and placards

Fitness to drive. North Carolina has no statute requiring physicians to report unsafe drivers, but it does allow it: physicians, family members, law enforcement, and license examiners may all request a re-examination through the NCDMV Medical Review Program (https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/license-suspension/medical-review-program/Pages/default.aspx). Requests must be in writing and cannot be anonymous — the patient will find out it was you, so have the conversation first. Once a driver is in the program, DMV mails a packet; the physician’s portion is the DL-78. The decision belongs to DMV’s Medical Review Unit, not to you, and there’s an appeal process. Whatever you decide, document the counseling — “advised not to drive; patient verbalized understanding; daughter present” — because that note is the one that matters if there’s a crash.

Placards. These are quick and low-stakes, and patients love you for them. In North Carolina it’s form MVR-37A for a placard (MVR-37 for the plate), signed by a physician, PA, or NP. A permanent placard runs five years and requires recertification to renew, though people 80 and older are exempt from recertification at renewal. A temporary placard is good for up to six months and cannot be renewed — so if the disability is permanent, don’t check “temporary” out of habit. The qualifying criteria are statutory (G.S. 20-37.5), and the usual one is inability to walk 200 feet without rest.