As a result of eight years' work in developing educational materials used in upgrading the background medical knowledge of driver license examiners, and in evaluating the use of these materials, the American Medical Association and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators have gained considerable insight into the needs of both physicians and licensing agencies, as far as the drivers is concerned. This knowledge was further buttressed by a series of four AMA-AAMVA Conferences on Physician reporting of Driver Impairment. In fact, most of the recommendations from those Conferences centered on the need for better criteria.

This paper will point out some of the inconsistencies in the limits set in different states, and show that most physicians cannot make adequate or logical judgments without better criteria. Even Medical Advisory Boards are largely left without adequate tools, unless research can come up with the answers.