Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Driver’s License Revocation Due to Medical Issues in Texas: Understanding the Medical Advisory Board
Texas Medical Driver License Revocations
Facing a driver’s license suspension or revocation in Texas due to a medical condition can be a confusing and highly frustrating experience. The communications from the Texas Medical Advisory Board (MAB) can often be complex, leading to misinterpretations and significant stress for the individual whose driving privileges are at stake.
This article from Beltz Law Group is intended to clarify the process for those who have received a notice of medical suspension or revocation from the Texas Medical Advisory Board. If you would like to discuss your medical suspension with an experienced lawyer in North Texas after reading this article, feel free to contact us at 214-321-4105.
The Role of the Texas Medical Advisory Board (MAB)
The Texas Medical Advisory Board is a crucial entity responsible for reviewing cases where an individual is alleged to have a medical condition that could potentially make them a danger to public safety on Texas roadways. Their primary function is to advise the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on licensing decisions for drivers with reported medical limitations.
- How a Case Gets to the MAB: Often, the process begins when DPS is alerted to a potential medical issue. This can happen in several ways:
- Self-Reporting: A common scenario is when a driver inadvertently answers a question incorrectly (or in a way that raises a red flag) on their driver’s license renewal form.
- Physician Report: Under Texas law, a physician may report a patient to DPS if they believe the patient’s medical condition impairs their ability to drive safely.
- Law Enforcement Report: A police officer might report a driver if they observe behaviors or a medical event during a traffic stop or accident that suggests an underlying medical impairment.
- Concerned Citizens/Family Members: Any individual may anonymously submit a concern about a driver to DPS.
- MAB Review and Recommendation: Once a medical issue is brought to DPS’s attention, they will forward the information to the Medical Advisory Board for review. The MAB consists of licensed physicians who review the medical facts of the case. They do not conduct physical examinations themselves; rather, they rely on medical records provided by your attending physician and other relevant evidence.
- Notice of Revocation: If the MAB determines that the medical issue could pose a danger to Texas drivers, they will inform DPS of those concerns and DPS will then send a Notice of Revocation to the person’s last known address.
The Medical Revocation Hearing
Texas Medical Advisory Board
If you receive a Notice of Revocation from the DPS, you have the right to challenge this decision through a hearing:
- Hearing Location: The hearing is conducted in a Justice of the Peace court in the county where you reside.
- The Judge’s Role: The judge hearing the case is a very important figure in this process. They will make a determination based on all the evidence presented at the hearing. Their decision will either uphold the MAB’s recommendation to suspend or revoke your license or dismiss the action altogether, allowing you to retain your driving privileges.
- Presenting Your Case: This hearing is your opportunity to present evidence that demonstrates you are not a danger on the roadway despite your medical condition.
Tips for the Hearing (if attending without an attorney):
- Dress and Act Appropriately: Treat the hearing as a formal court proceeding.
- Be Concise: Present your information clearly and to the point.
- Have Strong Medical Records: This is perhaps the most critical component. Ensure you have up-to-date and comprehensive medical records that support your ability to drive safely.
Requesting the Medical Revocation Hearing: The 20-Day Deadline!
Medical Advisory Board Guidelines
The MAB will send a letter to your last known address indicating their determination that your license should be revoked. This letter is your trigger to act.
- The 20-Day Rule: It is your responsibility to object to the revocation within 20 days of receiving this letter. This deadline is critical.
- Default Suspension: If a timely objection is not made, the suspension or revocation will occur by default approximately 45 days after the 20-day objection period passes. This means your license will be revoked without a hearing.
- How to Object Online: If you need to object and are unsure how, DPS provides an online portal for this purpose. Click here to object to your driver’s license suspension online. This online form will log your objection and typically generate a hearing date. Be patient after submitting the online objection, as it can sometimes take up to three months for the hearing to be scheduled.
Understanding the Medical Advisory Board Guidelines: Your Defense Starts Here
The MAB guidelines are often the starting point for our defense lawyers when contesting medical license revocations. Many individuals facing revocation receive only vague notification from the MAB. They might get two letters: the first outlining a general, single-phrase reason for the revocation, and the second stating the State’s intent to revoke. That’s often the extent of the initial “notice.”
However, the Medical Advisory Board Guidelines themselves provide invaluable insight into what specific criteria the MAB uses to assess various medical conditions and what steps can be taken to resolve those concerns.
- Detailed Information: Our defense attorneys typically begin by reviewing the general reason for the revocation provided by the MAB. They then consult the glossary and specific sections within the MAB Guidelines to pinpoint the exact medical criteria being applied to your case.
- Path to Resolution: If your medical issue can be shown to be resolved or adequately managed according to the guidelines, the Medical Advisory Board generally cannot deny your ability to drive. This means providing evidence that directly addresses the MAB’s concerns as outlined in their own criteria.
You can find resources regarding the MAB guidelines by clicking the link below: Medical Advisory Board Guidelines For Driver License Suspensions
Medical Advisory Board Revocation
Best Evidence to Submit to the Medical Advisory Board When Notified of A Potential Revocation Issue
The most powerful evidence you can present at a medical revocation hearing is the informed opinion of your treating physician(s).
- Physician’s Medical Evaluation Form: In all medical revocation cases, we strongly encourage our clients to have their primary physician (or relevant specialist) thoroughly complete the official Medical Advisory Board Medical Evaluation Form.
- Find a copy of the Medical Evaluation Form by clicking here.
- Crucial Content: Ensure your doctor clearly indicates in the medical packet that, based on their professional medical opinion, you are not a danger to drive on the roadways in Texas and that your medical condition is stable and controlled.
- Submission and Confirmation: Once the medical evaluation form is completed by your doctor, you will need to ensure it is promptly sent to the Medical Advisory Board and to DPS. Always get a copy of the fax confirmation or proof of mailing when your doctor sends it to either of these entities. For the Medical Advisory Board, at the time of this article, information and records related to your case can be sent in the following way:
- Mail: Texas Department of State Health Services ATTN: Medical Advisory Board (MC 1876) PO Box 149347 Austin, Texas 78714-9909
- Email: dshsmab@dshs.texas.gov
- Fax: 512-424-5311 (This fax number is generally for DPS Enforcement and Compliance Services, which works with MAB, but confirm with your attorney or the DSHS MAB contact information if possible.)
In many cases, if a Medical Advisory Board Medical Evaluation Form is filled out properly and submitted to MAB showing their underlying concerns have been addressed by your treating physicians, it can change the opinion of the board.
Best Evidence to Submit to DPS Prior to a Revocation Hearing
Further, if a MAB packet has been completed by your treating physicians, and a hearing is pending regarding your revocation, this information needs to be submitted to the hearings officer in anticipation of that hearing. Ultimately if a hearing is pending, the judge will make a decision regarding your revocation based on the evidence before them, so make sure you have your medical records in order prior to that hearing date. It also never hurts to get a separate letter from your doctor stating that in their medical opinion, you are physically and mentally healthy enough to drive. This also needs to be sent to the DPS officer assigned to your case. Take any and all of this documentation to your hearing to show the judge. Make sure that you can verify the dates of delivery if done by email, fax or by mail. If by mail, make sure you send the documents in a way where tracking can be verified to determine the receipt of the documents.
Why Hire a Lawyer for a Medical Suspension of Driving Privileges?
Texas Driver License Revocation
Medical revocations are unique and demand a specialized understanding of both medical guidelines and administrative law. This is not a situation to navigate alone.
- Understanding Complex Communications: An attorney can help you accurately interpret the often-convoluted notices from the MAB and DPS.
- Timely & Accurate Response: They ensure your objection is filed correctly and within the strict 20-day deadline, preserving your right to a hearing.
- Strategic Defense: An experienced lawyer will understand the MAB Guidelines and how to gather and present the specific medical evidence needed to address the Board’s concerns effectively. They can work with your doctor to ensure the Medical Evaluation Form is completed thoroughly and persuasively.
- Representation at Hearing: Your attorney can represent you at the revocation hearing, advocating on your behalf, cross-examining any witnesses, and making legal arguments to the judge. This significantly increases your chances of a favorable outcome.
- Peace of Mind: Dealing with a potential loss of driving privileges is stressful. Having a knowledgeable legal professional on your side can alleviate much of that burden.
After reading this article, if you would like to discuss your medical suspension of your driving privileges with a legal professional, feel free to call 214-321-4105. Our experienced attorneys can review your suspension action to determine if there is a legal defense to the suspension of your driving privileges and guide you through every step of the process.
