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This will be the first time since I went on full-time oxygen that I have to go in person to renew my driver's license. 4 years ago I had the option of renewing by mail, so this did not come up, but I am wondering if anyone on here had y trouble renewing in person when they came in on portable oxygen.
Normally, in Idaho, renewing only requires a new eye test, but they can ask for a skills test if they think you have a disability that could interfere with safe driving. I have no problem driving with my oxygen on. Has anyone on here had trouble renewing in your state ? I have to go in by my birthday on the 16th.
Normally, in Idaho, renewing only requires a new eye test, but they can ask for a skills test if they think you have a disability that could interfere with safe driving. I have no problem driving with my oxygen on. Has anyone on here had trouble renewing in your state ? I have to go in by my birthday on the 16th.
In my neck of the woods, the state has an age requirement. Over a certain age you have to appear to have your eyes tested. Age is the main factor. IIRC, here over 70 you have to go in in-person every 4 years. Being on O2 is never a specific concern.
However, I immediately went down to the license bureau in order to get a handicap tag. You have to appear in person to get one of those. Dont use it all the time, but sure is handy now and then. Of course it depends on YOUR condition, but most people prescribed O2 always qualify. Youll need a form from your doctor. No appointment needed. Ask the receptionist for a form, she gets the doctors signature, you pick up the form done
I meant to emphasize that my guess it is likely the age requirement that kicked-in to require a visit instead of renewal by mail not your specific disability. Here they do eye-ball ALL applicants to see if they appear able to drive.
An eye test over a certain age is essentially a standard requirement in all states now after that infamous accident in Florida years ago when an elderly woman drove into a crowd of people and it was discovered later she was legally blind.
As Gnott said all States are different When I renewed mine they gave me a option cannula or not and I did not have to take an eye test.
I did take my portable with me, and it seemed to be a game changer .
The lady had me fill out a separate form stating that I had oxygen , how often I used it, my doctor that prescribed it, and all that.
And then she said I had to do a driving test, not because of age, but because of the oxygen, that it was a new law that if you have a disability and have oxygen, you need to prove you can drive with it.
Now this makes no sense at all, because for sure I could drive with it, it had nothing to do with my driving ability, but that was the new law, so I drove the lady trooper around Gatesville, with my o2 on, and when we got back to the office I asked did I need to parallel park, and she said no, that I had done a perfect job of driving and she was quiet pleased.
(Must have been all that oxygen !!)
Now I am licensed for 6 more years.
It is also a good idea to go by the place that issues license plates and tags in your town and apply for a handicap tag to hang from your visor or handicap plates.
If you can get by with just one license plate, you can get a tag also in case you ride somewhere with a friend.
Or this is how it is here in Texas. Get your doctor to sign a form and show it to them.
So it is not a problem, just one more bump in the road. What I thought was funny also, this gal was so insistent on doing the paperwork and driving test because of the oxygen,
but when it came time to do the picture she said I could take out the cannula if I wanted to....
Only in Texas
BJ
I loved Texas. Years ago I had to get a new license. Had to take a driving test so my girlfriend drove me. After taking written test we waited in line for the driving instructor. I was next up, but the instructor when she returned said she had another errand and could we please come back in an hour.
My girlfriend, forgetting where she was, turned to me and said, "Well, would you like to get a beer someplace?"
I was completely nonplussed and trying to stammer out something, when the instructor helpfully said - "Ok, but remember no open containers in the car during the test."
As said every state is different, but you can also add every license bureau and employees are different as to area, and perhaps even to day of week or time of day. Smile! Ive spent more time that I cared too in different bureaus in different states over the years and have experienced and witnessed an amazing number of different scenarios. Never fail to witness something that I classify straight-out of Lah-lah land.
Ive seen a stream of obviously handicapped people rubber-stamped, while others have been forced to walk a line and lift legs and limbs for no discernible reason from anyone else I could see. Ive been in busy shops that filled out my forms for me and sent me on my way. Ive been in a remote western town where the single employee kept me for an hour going over every little point think the poor guy was just tickled to have someone to talk to.
But one thing is sure. However stringent or soft the actual laws may appear to be; no matter what is published, or reported there always seems to be enough latitude in their enforcement to allow anything to happen. Ha.
Doubt you will have any problems, but if you do, go get a beer and try again later. Smile.
i got my license with no problem.
happy driving :)
BJ