Vermont Medical Review License Suspension: DMV Evaluations, Forms, and Reinstatement

A medical review suspension in Vermont works differently from every other type. It's not about fines or court appearances — it's about the DMV determining whether you can safely operate a vehicle given a reported health condition. The process is clinical rather than financial, but it can still leave your license suspended while the review and testing are pending if you don't know what's expected.

Who Gets Referred for Medical Review

The DMV's medical review process typically starts when:

• A law enforcement officer, physician, or family member files a referral expressing concern about a driver's ability to operate safely
• A DMV examiner identifies an issue during a routine license renewal
• A medical condition is documented during another DMV interaction

The most common referral populations are older drivers and individuals with progressive neurological, cognitive, or vision conditions. But medical review suspensions aren't limited to age — anyone can be referred.

The Required Forms

Depending on the specific referral reason, the DMV will request one or both of these physician evaluation forms:

Form VS-017 (Driver Eyesight Evaluation) — Required for vision-related referrals. An optometrist or ophthalmologist performs a comprehensive eye exam and certifies whether the driver meets Vermont's minimum vision standards for operating a motor vehicle.

Form VS-113 (Medical Evaluation Report) — Required for cognitive, physical, or neurological referrals. A licensed physician or specialist examines the driver and certifies whether they possess the physical and mental abilities necessary for safe vehicle operation. This form covers everything from seizure disorders to mobility limitations to dementia-stage assessments.

Both forms are available from the DMV's website (dmv.vermont.gov) under the medical/documents section.

What Happens After You Submit the Forms

Once the completed evaluation forms reach Driver Control in Montpelier, the DMV's Medical Review Board reviews them. The board is looking for a clear clinical determination — can this person drive safely, and under what conditions?

Based on the review, the DMV will typically schedule a re-examination with a DMV examiner. This may include:

• A vision screening test
• A written knowledge exam
• An on-road driving skills test

Not every case requires all three — the required tests depend on the nature of the medical concern and the DMV's instructions.

Possible Outcomes

After the re-examination, the DMV makes one of several determinations:

• Full reinstatement — You pass everything and get your unrestricted license back.
• Restricted license — You're cleared to drive but with conditions: corrective lenses required, adaptive equipment mandated, daylight-only driving, limited geographic range, or periodic re-evaluations.
• Continued suspension — The medical evidence or test results don't support safe driving. The suspension stays active until a future evaluation changes the picture.

Fees and Timeline

Here's the part that distinguishes medical review suspensions: if the suspension was solely for medical review reasons and didn't involve a behavioral violation (no DUI, no reckless driving, no points), the $80 reinstatement fee is waived. This is one of the suspension types where you don't pay the DMV to get reinstated; an insurance-only suspension also waives the fee.

The timeline is less predictable. From the moment you submit your evaluation forms, the Medical Review Board processing time depends on caseload. The re-examination scheduling adds more time, and additional specialist evaluations can add further time.

For Family Members

If you're a family member managing this process for an aging parent or a relative with a progressive condition, start with the DMV's referral or requirement letter to identify the correct physician evaluation form. Then schedule the appropriate medical appointment and return the completed form to Driver Control. Having the required clinical documentation ready lets the DMV review the submission once it is received.

The Vermont Driver's License Reinstatement Guide includes the medical review process in detail — which forms to use for which conditions, how to prepare for DMV re-examinations, and what to expect from restricted-license determinations.

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