Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-5-.06 - Musculoskeletal Performance
While in many cases the best evaluation of driving performance still remains the practical road test, in order to insure adequate manual control in driving an automobile the following guidelines for musculoskeletal performance should be used.
(a) Motor Power Requirements.
1. The strength of muscles required to
perform the task of driving should be determined. This determination is based
on two factors: the force of gravity and the resistance applied by the
examining physician to the muscle group being tested. A determination should be
made based on the physicians interpretation as to whether the strength is:
(i) Normal--Complete range of motion against
gravity with full resistance.
(ii)
Good--Complete range of motion against gravity with some resistance.
(iii) Fair--Complete range of motion against
gravity without resistance.
(iv)
Poor--Complete range of motion with gravity eliminated.
(v) Trace--Evidence of slight contractility,
no joint motion.
(vi) Zero--No
evidence of contractility.
2. Impairment to driving caused by motor
power deficiency may be group as follows:
(i)
Group A.
(I) A normal muscle power as tested
at all of the following joints:
I. Right ankle
dorsi and plantor flexion.
II.
Right Knee extension.
III. Hip
flexion and extension.
IV.
Grip--both hands.
V. Both
wrists--extension and flexion.
VI.
Both elbows--extension and flexion.
(II) At least good muscle power in flexion of
the right knee.
(ii)
Group B.
(I) Muscle power classified as good
or better at any one or more of the following joints:
I. Right ankle dorsi and plantor
flexion.
II. Right knee
extension.
III. Hip flexion and
extension.
IV. Grip--both
hands.
V. Both wrists--extension
and flexion.
VI. Both
elbows--extension and flexion.
(II) At least fair muscle power in flexion of
right knee.
(iii) Group
C.
(I) Fair muscle power at any one or more of
the following joints as listed in Group Aa and Group Bb.
(II) Poor or trace muscle power in flexion of
the right knee.
1. Table Motor Power and Acceptable Level of
Function for Driver Licensure.
| Class C | Class M | Class B | |
| A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| B | Yes | Yes | Individual |
| Consideration | |||
| C | Individual | No | No |
| Consideration | |||
| Class A | Periodic | Limited | |
| Reevaluation | License | ||
| A | Yes | No | No |
| B | Individual | Yes | Yes |
| Consideration | |||
| C | No | Yes | Yes |
(b) Active Range of Motion of Joints. A
driver must have adequate mobility of the joints that are important to the safe
operation of a motor vehicle. The range of motion necessary will vary as to the
specific vehicle and as to the size of the individual evaluation of this
category of driver impairment must be based on individual consideration by the
examining physician and on the performance of the road test.
(c) Amputations. Whether or not an amputation
will impair the ability to drive an automobile safely should be decided if
brought to the medical board, on an individual basis.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
While in many cases the best evaluation of driving performance still remains the practical road test, in order to insure adequate manual control in driving an automobile the following guidelines for musculoskeletal performance should be used.
(a) Motor Power Requirements.
1. The strength of muscles required to perform the task of driving should be determined. This determination is based on two factors: the force of gravity and the resistance applied by the examining physician to the muscle group being tested. A determination should be made based on the physicians interpretation as to whether the strength is:
(i) Normal--Complete range of motion against gravity with full resistance.
(ii) Good--Complete range of motion against gravity with some resistance.
(iii) Fair--Complete range of motion against gravity without resistance.
(iv) Poor--Complete range of motion with gravity eliminated.
(v) Trace--Evidence of slight contractility, no joint motion.
(vi) Zero--No evidence of contractility.
2. Impairment to driving caused by motor power deficiency may be group as follows:
(i) Group A.
(I) A normal muscle power as tested at all of the following joints:
I. Right ankle dorsi and plantor flexion.
II. Right Knee extension.
III. Hip flexion and extension.
IV. Grip--both hands.
V. Both wrists--extension and flexion.
VI. Both elbows--extension and flexion.
(II) At least good muscle power in flexion of the right knee.
(ii) Group B.
(I) Muscle power classified as good or better at any one or more of the following joints:
I. Right ankle dorsi and plantor flexion.
II. Right knee extension.
III. Hip flexion and extension.
IV. Grip--both hands.
V. Both wrists--extension and flexion.
VI. Both elbows--extension and flexion.
(II) At least fair muscle power in flexion of right knee.
(iii) Group C.
(I) Fair muscle power at any one or more of the following joints as listed in Group Aa and Group Bb.
(II) Poor or trace muscle power in flexion of the right knee.
1. Table Motor Power and Acceptable Level of Function for Driver Licensure.
| Class C | Class M | Class B | |
| A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| B | Yes | Yes | Individual |
| Consideration | |||
| C | Individual | No | No |
| Consideration | |||
| Class A | Periodic | Limited | |
| Reevaluation | License | ||
| A | Yes | No | No |
| B | Individual | Yes | Yes |
| Consideration | |||
| C | No | Yes | Yes |
(b) Active Range of Motion of Joints. A driver must have adequate mobility of the joints that are important to the safe operation of a motor vehicle. The range of motion necessary will vary as to the specific vehicle and as to the size of the individual evaluation of this category of driver impairment must be based on individual consideration by the examining physician and on the performance of the road test.
(c) Amputations. Whether or not an amputation will impair the ability to drive an automobile safely should be decided if brought to the medical board, on an individual basis.