Did you have to report your Sleep Apnea to renew your driver's license?

[Mosquitobait]

new for Texas:

From The Texas Medical Association, May 12 2016
"Get Up to Speed on New Driving Rules, Medical Restrictions"

"A diagnosis of severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index AHI>20) precludes certification to drive a motor vehicle (class A, B and C license) until the sleep disorder is effectively treated and the person demonstrates satisfactory ongoing compliance with therapy.
A person with moderate OSA (apnea-hypopnea index between 10 and 20) may drive passenger vehicles (class C license) if he has minimal daytime sleepiness (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Study (EDSS) score is <10) and the OSA is being effectively treated and he is compliant with therapy. Persons
with mild OSA may drive with any license type if the AHI is <10 and the EDS score is <10.
Ceasing therapy should be accompanied by driving cessation if the OSA is still present.
An individual with moderate to severe OSA who meets these requirements should be recertified annually."

Very interesting. How did you find it? With those tight restrictions one would think that it would be well known to all SA patients in Texas, but it has never been mentioned to me. I am sure not going to ask about it. Luckily, I am retired and do not drive much anyway although I never had a sleep/driving issue ever happen when I was driving more often. (Actually, I think my SA started after I retired for a variety of unrelated reasons.)

No kidding. The sleep doctors and their staff should be telling all their patients, but just like the insulin requirement in my state, a lot of clinics do not follow through. I only looked it up because my Dad and brother had to be certified to continue driving. The doc DOES report it to the state, but the staff never told me (and still haven't).

[justMongo]

I have since found out the TMA is pushing this to be mandatory; but, as of now, it's not official with the Texas DPS (their DMV.)

[0rangebear]

There's a 2012 thread on this very topic.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...nd-the-law

Great thread thanks for pointing it out JM

[graeme]

In New South Wales (Australia) I had to report Sleep Apnea, Eyes, Cardiac, Diabetes. As a result, Specialists had to certify compliance.
besides Licensing, there are Insurance implications.

In other Australian states, there are different requirements, so I suggest that a driver should "bite the bullet'" and inquire at the appropriate authority. The risks are too great!

[PaulaO2]

Did a search of the North Carolina DOT driver's license section for "sleep apnea" then "apnea". Nothing. It is much more important that we pee in the correct restroom than if we are safe behind the wheel.

[0rangebear]

I wonder how far lawyers might take such a thing in an accident case, regardless of the state's reporting requirements. .

Do personal injury lawyers like Money?
Can they convince a jury to award millions contrary the facts?

[PaulaO2]

They would have a better case if the SA is untreated. Someone who was being adequately treated and could prove it, then it is not a factor other than it was not reported. But any atty can twist it so you would seem like an uncaring fool who thought to avoid responsibility and make the jury believe it.

If your state requires you to report it, do so. If you are in an accident, it could bite you in the arse.

[lab rat]

NSW here also.

I did not tick the sleep apnea box as I have been using CPAP daily for 20 years and would not get behind the wheel otherwise.

So it will never factor into an accident.

I can understand declaring diabetes and mild epilepsy as you could have a turn while the car is in motion.

[0rangebear]

NSW here also.

I did not tick the sleep apnea box as I have been using CPAP daily for 20 years and would not get behind the wheel otherwise.

So it will never factor into an accident.

I can understand declaring diabetes and mild epilepsy as you could have a turn while the car is in motion.

I think we diabetics get a bad rap. My Mom went and got letters form doctors and lawyers so I could play Pop Warner football when I was a kid. Run track in High school, and Join the Air Force.

There is zero chance of my diabetes effecting my job performance. Yet I cannot be pilot or get a commercial license.

Sound like your apnea is treated, with diabetics they say it's "controlled" either way; a person who understands and manages there handicaps is safer and more predictable than the uniformed and unaware public and does not need "Big Brother managing their life choices

I respect you courage in not checking the box.

Sorry I found Jm's soapbox and started venting ,,,,,,,,

[wubisnotanabbreviation]

Always thought California was supposed to be the land of the new regulation, but I can find no specific mention of apnea in DMV rules. They mention "sleep disorders" along with epilepsy and Alzheimer's, but I think they intend narcolepsy not apnea.