Who can request a license review and how it actually works
You cannot directly revoke someone else's driver's license in Florida. Only the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) can suspend or revoke a license. What you can do is report safety concerns to DHSMV, request a medical review, or contact law enforcement if you witness dangerous driving. The state then investigates and decides whether to take action.
The most common path is filing a Driver Concern Report with DHSMV. This form alerts the state that a driver may be unsafe due to age, medical condition, or recent accidents. DHSMV will review the driver's record and may request a medical examination or road test. If the driver fails either one, the state can suspend or revoke their license.
A second option is requesting a medical review hearing if you have specific knowledge that the driver has a medical condition affecting their ability to drive safely. This is a formal process where DHSMV examines medical records and may require the driver to take a driving test.
Key Takeaways
- You file a Driver Concern Report with DHSMV, not a revocation request—the state makes the final decision about license suspension or revocation.
- The report should include specific examples of unsafe driving (near-misses, accidents, confusion at intersections) rather than age alone.
- DHSMV may order a medical examination, a road test, or both before taking any action on the license.
- Family members, healthcare providers, and law enforcement can all file a Driver Concern Report.
- If you witness a single dangerous driving incident, calling the local police non-emergency line to report it creates an official record.
Filing a Driver Concern Report with DHSMV
The Driver Concern Report is a form you submit to DHSMV that describes why you believe a driver is unsafe. You do not need to prove anything—you are reporting a concern, and DHSMV investigates. The form asks for the driver's name, license number (if you have it), and a description of the unsafe driving behavior you have observed.
Be specific. Instead of writing "too old to drive," describe what you saw: "Failed to stop at a red light on three separate occasions," "Drove 20 miles per hour below the speed limit and drifted between lanes," or "Was involved in two minor accidents in six months." DHSMV uses these details to decide whether to open an investigation.
You can submit the form online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a Florida driver's license office. There is no cost. After you submit it, DHSMV will review the driver's record and may contact the driver to request a medical examination or schedule a road test. The driver will be notified that a concern report was filed, though not necessarily who filed it.
Medical examination and road test requirements
If DHSMV opens an investigation based on your report, they may order the driver to undergo a medical examination, a road test, or both. The driver receives a notice in the mail with instructions on how to schedule these tests.
A medical examination is conducted by a physician and focuses on vision, hearing, cognitive ability, and physical coordination—the skills needed to drive safely. A road test is administered by a DHSMV examiner and follows the same format as a standard driving test. If the driver fails either test, DHSMV can suspend or revoke their license.
If the driver does not show up for a scheduled test or refuses to take it, DHSMV can suspend their license when ready. The driver has the right to request a hearing to contest the suspension, but the burden is on them to demonstrate they are safe to drive.
When to call law enforcement instead
If you witness a specific dangerous driving incident—a near-miss, a collision, erratic swerving, or running a red light—call the local police non-emergency line and report it. Provide the vehicle description, license plate number, location, and what you saw. This creates an official police report that becomes part of the driver's record.
If the driver causes an accident, police will file a report automatically. That report goes into DHSMV's system and can trigger a review. Multiple accidents or traffic citations in a short time can lead DHSMV to order a medical examination or road test on their own, without a Driver Concern Report.
Call 911 only if the driver is actively endangering people—driving at high speed in a residential area, swerving across lanes, or appearing to have a medical emergency. For routine unsafe driving, the non-emergency line is appropriate.
What happens after DHSMV investigates
DHSMV will review the driver's accident history, traffic citations, and medical records. If they find no safety concerns, they close the case and take no action. If they find potential concerns, they order a medical exam or road test.
If the driver passes both tests, their license remains valid. If they fail, DHSMV issues a suspension or revocation notice. The driver then has the right to request an administrative hearing where they can present evidence and argue against the suspension. A hearing officer will decide whether the suspension stands.
A suspension is temporary—usually 6 months to a year—and the driver can reapply after that period. A revocation is permanent unless the driver petitions DHSMV for reinstatement, which requires proof that the safety concern has been resolved (for example, successful treatment of a medical condition).
Your role as a family member or concerned person
If you are a family member, you have standing to file a Driver Concern Report. You do not need to be a healthcare provider or law enforcement officer. Your relationship to the driver does not disqualify you, though DHSMV will consider the source of the report when evaluating it.
If the driver is a parent or spouse, you may also consider having a direct conversation about your safety concerns before filing a report. Some families choose to encourage a voluntary medical examination or a refresher driving course. Others file a report because the driver refuses to listen to concerns.
If you are a healthcare provider and you believe a patient is unsafe to drive due to a medical condition, you can file a Driver Concern Report or contact DHSMV's medical review unit directly. Florida law protects healthcare providers who report in good faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revoke someone's license without their knowledge?
No. You can file a Driver Concern Report, but DHSMV will notify the driver that a report was filed and may order them to take a medical exam or road test. The driver will know something is happening. Only DHSMV can revoke a license, and only after the driver has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard.
What if the driver refuses to take the medical exam or road test?
DHSMV can suspend the driver's license when ready for refusing to take a required test. The driver can request a hearing to contest the suspension, but refusing the test itself is grounds for suspension without waiting for test results.
How long does it take for DHSMV to investigate a Driver Concern Report?
There is no set timeline. DHSMV may contact the driver within weeks or may take several months, depending on their workload and the severity of the concern. If you are worried about when ready safety, call law enforcement to report a specific dangerous driving incident.
Will the driver know I filed the report?
DHSMV will tell the driver that a concern report was filed, but they do not always disclose who filed it. If you file anonymously, DHSMV will not identify you. If you file with your name, the driver may learn your identity during a hearing.
What if the driver is found unsafe but refuses to stop driving?
If DHSMV revokes a license and the driver continues to drive, that is a criminal offense in Florida. You can report unlicensed driving to law enforcement. The driver can be arrested, fined, and face jail time. A revoked license is not a suggestion—it is a legal prohibition.