61-5-120. Medical assessment and rehabilitation driving permit -- definition. (1) Upon the written request of a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in 37-8-102, on a form prescribed by the department, the department may authorize a driver rehabilitation specialist to issue a temporary medical assessment and rehabilitation driving permit to a person who is not licensed to drive or whose license has expired under the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of driver assessment, rehabilitation, and training.

(2) The temporary permit may be issued only to a person who is 16 years of age or older.

(3) The permit is valid for up to 6 weeks, beginning with the date of the first evaluation of the permitholder by the driver rehabilitation specialist. The driver rehabilitation specialist shall sign and date the permit at the time of the first evaluation.

(4) The permit is valid only when the permitholder is operating a motor vehicle under the immediate supervision of the driver rehabilitation specialist during the permitholder's participation in an actual in-vehicle evaluation process.

(5) The department may extend the duration of a medical assessment and rehabilitation permit for an additional 6-week period if the driver rehabilitation specialist, licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse certifies that the permitholder needs additional time to complete the driver assessment, rehabilitation, and training process.

(6) As used in this section, "driver rehabilitation specialist" means a person who:

(a) possesses current certification from the association of driver educators for the disabled as a driver rehabilitation specialist; or

(b) (i) provides comprehensive services in the clinical evaluation of the abilities of a person with a disability to safely operate a motor vehicle, utilizing, among other things, wheelchair and seating assessment, motor vehicle modification prescription, and driver education;

(ii) (A) possesses a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation, education, or health and safety, in physical, occupational, or recreational therapy, or in a related profession; or

(B) has an equivalent of 8 years of experience in driver rehabilitation and education; and

(iii) has at least 1 year of experience in the area of driver evaluation and training for individuals with disabilities.