2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

5.5 Transient impairmentsDefinitionsTransient impairmentmeans a temporary impairment of the functional ability to drive wherethere is little or no likelihood of a recurring episodic, or ongoingpersistent, impairment. Examples of transient impairments are:the after-effects of surgery, e.g. the time to recover from theanaesthetic and the surgery itselfPolicyfractures and casts, post-orthopedic surgeryconcussioneye surgery, e.g. cataract surgeryuse of orthopaedic braces (including neck), andcardiac inflammation and infections.5.5.1 The Driver Fitness Program does not screen individuals withtransient impairments.Policy rationaleOSMV does not need to know when a driver has experienced a transientimpairment. In these cases, a doctor may rely on best practices to tell apatient, for example, “don’t drive for 6 weeks after your abdominalsurgery.” The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Guide forPhysicians when Determining Fitness to Drive (2007) contains guidelinesfor physicians for many transient impairments associated with a range ofmedical conditions.5.6 Cancelling or restricting a licence because of an immediatepublic safety riskPolicy5.6.1 If the information obtained during screening reveals an immediaterisk to public safety, OSMV may direct ICBC to cancel or restrict alicence without further assessment.35