The Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles announced the option of incorporating essential medical information of Delaware residents onto their driver licenses and/or identification cards.
The Division of Motor Vehicles will begin incorporating a medical indicator onto the Delaware driver licenses or identification card. The medical symbol will be displayed on the front of the card and the back will identify the individual’s condition so that responders can adjust treatment accordingly.
State Representative Valerie Longhurst, D-Delaware City, said, “A constituent came to me concerned about his son’s medical condition and how it could be misunderstood if an officer pulled him over while driving. It raised concerns about a larger issue that we wanted to address. A driver’s license has a lot of critical information that first responders need to know immediately, and knowing a driver’s medical condition someone will be invaluable in an emergency. This new voluntary program will give Delawareans the option to have their vital medical information easily accessible to first responders. I’m proud to have helped establish this new indicator on our driver’s licenses.”
Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan added that: “A voluntary medical indicator makes a lot of sense for providing additional peace of mind for any of our customers who have a condition they would want a law enforcement officer or emergency responder to be aware of. This is another example of how the Delaware DMV is being responsive to our customers’ needs, and providing personalized service.”
Participating in this program is voluntary and there is no charge to have the indicator on the license or ID card. The customer would need to complete a form indicating their condition and sign it. The signed form gives the DMV permission to notate the condition on the back of the card along with the medical indicator on the front. The form can be obtained at any DMV location.
Sergeant Richard Bratz, Public Information Officer for the Delaware State Police, said emphasized that: “The medical indicator on your Delaware Driver’s License or identification card is important to share with first responders especially those giving medical care or first-aid. It allows law enforcement to gain some insight on medical conditions like those drivers who may have a specific medical condition like; seizures, arthritis, insulin required, hearing impaired, visually impaired, PTSD or autism just to name a few.”
