Medical Fitness to Drive

All drivers must meet the minimum medical standards to hold their specific Class of Drivers' License in accordance with the most recent edition of the Medical Standards for Drivers published by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA).

The medical standards, or guidelines, are developed by medical advisors and administrators from Canadian provincial driver licensing bodies. Many of the standards are adopted from the Canadian Medical Association's Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to Drive.

Under PEI's Highway Traffic Act, every legally-qualified medical practitioner or optometrist shall report to the Registrar every person sixteen years of age or older who might have a condition that may make it dangerous for that person to operate a motor vehicle.

Reports and requests for driver fitness reviews are also received from police agencies.

Section 70(6)(b), (c) and (d) of PEI's Highway Traffic Act states the following:

70(6) The Registrar may, before issuing a driver's license or at any time after he has issued the license to a person, require that person (b) to undergo a medical examination or a vision examination and produce a certificate thereof in such form as the Registrar may prescribe to determine whether that person is physically and mentally competent to operate a motor vehicle or any class of motor vehicle; c) to take such oral, written or other examinations as the Registrar may authorize or direct to determine whether that person is, in the opinion of the Registrar or the examiner, competent to operate a motor vehicle or any class of motor vehicle; and (d) to undergo an interview with the Registrar or a driver improvement officer within the division to determine whether that person is, in the opinion of the Registrar or the driver improvement officer, competent to operate a motor vehicle or any class of motor vehicle.

The most current edition of the Medical Standards for Drivers can be found on the CCMTA website.

An electronic version of the Driver's Medical Certificate can be downloaded here: Driver's Medical Certificate

What are the medical reporting cycles for commercial drivers?

Medical examinations are required for Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 driver licenses to avoid preventable health-related accidents. Medicals completed within the last 12 months will be accepted. If the exam took place more than 1 year ago, a new medical examination is required for each class change.

A medical form is issued when the applicant sets up the road test appointment. This medical form must be approved before a road test can be conducted.

When exchanging out-of-province Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 driver's licenses - all US and Canadian drivers who are taking up residence in Prince Edward Island and who are requesting to exchange their out-of-province commercial license must submit a valid medical form completed and approved within the last 6 months (other jurisdictions' medical forms may be acceptable).

Once a driver has received their Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver's license, a new medical must be submitted once every 5 years up to age 45, every 3 years to age 65 and annually each year thereafter.