Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

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What is a Maryland Driver Risk Screening (MaDRS)?

​​The Maryland Driver Risk Screening (MaDRS) consists of six segments that measure basic visual, cognitive, and physical abilities that are needed to safely operate a motor vehicle. 

While MaDRS cannot predict a safe or unsafe driving experience, poor results can be a warning that a person is placing themselves, or others, at a higher risk when driving.  A poor screening result can be a warning sign that the driver may be at higher risk behind the wheel and may need further evaluation. 

MaDRS is recommended for drivers for whom there are concerns about physical and cognitive decline that can affect their ability to drive safely and who come to the attention of the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) or the Division of Driver Wellness and Safety of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA).

MaDRS has 6 different segments, and each measures the abilities necessary for driving:

  1. Visualization of missing information:  The driver will look at a completed diagram, and several incomplete diagrams, and will be asked to match them.
  2. Rapid walk:  The driver is asked to quickly walk 10 feet, and return.  Strength, flexibility and coordination are being tested.
  3. Divided attention:  The driver will be asked to draw lines from numbers and letters in sequence (i.e., 1 to A, A to 2, 2 to B, B to 3, and so on).
  4. Cued Recall:  The driver will be given the name of three common objects, and several minutes later they will be asked to recall the named objects.
  5. Visual information processing speed:  This test will determine if a driver is able to see peripheral objects while focusing on a central object.
  6. Four choice reaction time: The driver will be presented with 4 horizontal boxes and asked to click on the red box as fast as possible.
 
MDOT MVA offers MaDRS at no cost and by appointment only.  Screenings are conducted on a touch screen computer with the help of a proctor and take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.  MaDRS is provided at 12 different MDOT MVA locations:
  • ​Bel Air
  • Beltsville
  • Cumberland
  • Easton
  • Elkton
  • ​​Essex
  • Frederick
  • Gaithersburg
  • Glen Burnie
  • Hagerstown
  • Waldorf
  • Salisbury
For additional information, or to schedule an appointment, please call the Medical Advisory Board Office of the MVA at 410-424-3095.

Your healthcare professional may have similar screening tools available; other options for driver assessment can be found here.

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