New Mass. Driver License Safety Bill

Massachusetts lawmakers are working on a comprehensive driving-safety bill that was slated for completion by Labor Day. The new bill may require all drivers over a certain age to undergo certain testing to find out whether they have a physical and mental ability to drive safely. The bill may also require Massachusetts drivers with a certain number of accidents or traffic violations to undergo competency road tests. This bill comes after a string of accidents and incidents involving elderly drivers in Massachusetts. The bill may also require doctors to notify the Mass. RMV of any concerns regarding their patient’s ability to drive safely.

The Registry currently has a procedure for initiating medical immediate threat license suspensions, where the Registry can suspended a driver's license and require the driver to undergo a medical, psychiatric, loss of consciousness, or vision screening examination. The current program also allows the Registry to perform competency road tests of drivers who are suspected of not being able to drive safely.