The words and phrases defined herein have the same meaning in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided. In this chapter:

1. (a) “Altered consciousness” means a state of awareness characterized by loss or distortion of the impressions made by the senses or inability to respond to the impressions made by the senses.
2. (b) “Assessment” means an examination of a person’s use of chemicals and development of a driver safety rehabilitation plan for the person by an approved public treatment facility.
3. (c) “Chemical” means alcohol, a drug as defined in §20-2-22(12), or a controlled substance as defined in §20-2-22 through 31, Code of Ala. 1975.
4. (d) “Cognitive skill” means the ability to think, perceive and remember.
5. (e) “Co-existing” or “co-morbid” means that more than one condition is present at the same time.
6. (f) “Corrective lens” means an ophthalmic lens, whether an eyeglass or a contact lens, that corrects the refraction error or other optically correctable deficiency of the eye.
7. (g) “Driving evaluation” is a test conducted to determine if a person adequately compensates for the person’s medical, mental or physical condition or functional impairment.
8. (h) “Episode” means any incident or segment of time involving altered consciousness or loss of bodily control.
9. (i) “Field of vision” means the entire horizontal, temporal plane a person has for each eye without shifting the gaze.
10. (j) ”Functional ability” means the degree of cognitive, mental or emotional, sensorimotor and sensory capability in performing activities of daily living, including safely performing the tasks of driving.
11. (k) “Licensing action” means any action by the department involving the denial, cancellation, restriction, or issuance of a license endorsement under this chapter.
12. (l) “Loss of bodily control” means involuntary movements of the body characterized by muscle spasms or muscle rigidity, or loss of muscle tone or muscle movement.
13. (m) “Medical condition” means any physical, mental or emotional condition which affects a person’s health for which a person is receiving medical treatment, or for which medical treatment is usually prescribed.
14. (n) “Mental or emotional function” includes interaction and communication skills, adaptive behavior or coping capacity, or orientation.
15. (o) “Normal consciousness” means the condition of a person when awake and fully responsive to stimuli.
16. (p) “Operator’s license” means all driver license issued by the Department of Public Safety for the operation of noncommercial vehicles, but including vessels.
17. (q) “Physical disability” means any physical limitation interfering with the ability to perform the normal tasks associated with operating a motor vehicle.
18. (r) “Proof of physical fitness” means a certificate of physical examination executed by a person authorized to execute certificates of physical examination under 49 CFR 391.43 which provides that the person being examined meets the physical qualifications for drivers of 49 CFR 391.41.
19. (s) “Reasonable and ordinary control” means a person has the functional ability to perform the normal tasks required in the safe operation of a motor vehicle or vessel including, but not limited to; placing the vehicle or vessel into motion, executing right and left turns, maintaining position on the roadway/waterway, stopping the vehicle or vessel, exercising proper lookout for other traffic and pedestrians/swimmers, and observing traffic laws, signs and signals.
20. (t) “Review board” means a medical board established under §32-6-41, Code of Ala. 1975.
21. (u) “Sensorimotor skills” means reflexes and reaction time, coordination, depth perception, manipulation, range of motion and general mobility.
22. (v) “Sensory function” means vision, hearing, touch, smell and vibration sense.
23. (w) “Vision specialist” means a person who practices optometry as defined by §34-22-1, or a physician as defined by §34-24-50, Code of Ala. 1975.

Author: Lieutenant F. A. Bingham

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§32-2-9, 32-6-13, as amended.

History: New Rule: Filed March 12, 1996; effective April 16, 1996.