Q&A - Dad Can't Shoulder Check

My father, who just turned 80, is undergoing a mandatory drivers' exam next month. He did not pass the previous one, largely due to his inability to shoulder check, according to the score sheet he was given.

He has fairly severe osteoarthritis, which limits his ability to twist the cervical spine, and long-standing severe lumbar degenerative disc disease, which compromises torsional movements in his lower spine. This is the reason he can't really do a shoulder check.

Using Mirrors Instead of Shoulder Check

However, I have heard of adaptive mirrors for drivers with mobility impairments which can supplement a restricted shoulder check and give a clear view of blind spots and nearby potential danger situations.

Can you tell me:

a) whether these adaptive mirrors are available in Canada and, if so, from where; and

b) is there any documentation my father could get, perhaps from his GP or an OT, that would verify for the driving examiner that my father is physically limited in his ability to do shoulder checks, that the special adaptive mirrors compensate for this, and that he should be allowed to use them as a proxy for a full shoulder check in his driving exam?

Any advice or pointers you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Driver Fitness Standards

The CCMTA Medical Standards with B.C. Specific Guidelines is what RoadSafetyBC’s Driver Fitness Program team follows for driver assessment.

OSMV may find individuals fit to drive if:

• they retain sufficient movement and strength to perform the functions necessary for driving for their class of licence held
• pain associated with the condition, or the drugs used to treat the condition, do not adversely affect their ability to drive safely
• where required, a road test or other functional assessment indicates that they are able to compensate for any loss of functional ability required for driving, and
• where permitted, they only drive with any vehicle modifications and devices required to compensate for their functional impairment.

ICBC Advice

I contacted ICBC and asked about using mirrors in place of physical head movement.

The Driver Licensing department advised that if the driver cannot turn their head to examine the blind spots around the vehicle while driving they were considered to be no longer able to drive safely and would fail a road test.

Using mirrors as a substitute for head movement would not be accepted.

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