Fitness To Drive

Basima Ansar20/01/2009

Source Of Information

For Medical Practitioners At a glance Guide to the current

Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive

Available to download on DVLA website

www.dvla.gov.uk

Guidance available NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDER DIABETES MELLITUS PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS/DISORDER DRUG AND ALCOHOL MISUSE AND

DEPENDENCY VISUAL DISORDERS RENAL DISORDERS RESPIRATORY & SLEEP DISORDERS MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS OLDER DRIVERS

Driving licence types Group 1: car / motorcycle, min age 17 y expire at 70 y, renew 3 yearly Group 2: Lorries/ buses, min age 21 y initially valid till 45 y, renew 5

y till 65 y then renew yearly. Med examination needed for renewal, fee apply

Disabled Drivers CARS (Group 1) Driving is possible in both static and

progressive or relapsing disorders but vehicle modification may be needed.

A person in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance may hold a driving licence from 16 years of age.

Determining Fitness to drive

Patients with any disorder which may cause danger to others if they drove should be advised not to drive and contact DVLA.

DVLA gives advice when they can restart to drive.

Notification to DVLAGMC Guidance

If condition impairs the ability to drive safely and Pt Cannot/Will not inform DVLA:

Make them aware of their inability and legal duty to inform DVLA

Unable to understand - doctor informs If refuses to accept diagnosis – 2 nd

opinion ( should not drive till then)

If continue to drive persuade them – involve next of kin.

If do not stop disclose Info to Medical advisor DVLA, inform pt before and after doing so.

Neurological Disordersdisorder Group 1 Group 2

Epilepsy 3 yearly, 7 yr s. free with med

10 y seizure free

1st fit 1 yr restriction

10 yr s. free

Simple faint No restriction No restriction

LOC 4 weeks, no cause 6 m

3 months, no cause 1 y

Chronic eg MS,parkinsons

Can retain- assessment

Revoked - assessment

Sudden attack of giddiness

Stop till symptoms better

Stop, 1 yr symptom free

CVA/TIA Stop 1 month 1 yr- assessment

CVS Angina: cease when symptomatic Elective Angioplasty: 1 week CABG : 4 weeks ACS/MI: 4 weeks AF /SA disease: stop if incapacitating,

restart when controlled for 4 weeks Heart Failure: continue if not distracted

DIABETES MELLITUS

Insulin treated: recognise Hypo, 1/2/3 y

MUST inform DVLA Tab treated: no restrictions

Exenatide/Gliptins: if in combination with SU

When to inform in DM treatment with insulin laser treatment to both eyes problems with vision in both eyes problems with the circulation or

sensation in your legs or feet more than one episode of disabling

hypoglycaemia impaired awareness of Hypo

Psychiatric Problems Severe Anxiety/Depression: stop esp if

suicidal Acute Psychosis: stop till symptom

control for 3 m Dementia: inform DVLA- needs

assessment Alcohol dependency- 1 y alcohol free-

assess Drugs: 6-12 m stop, methadone user

/assess.

EYE/ Renal/Resp Visual acquity: should meet

requirement Cataract: must meet requirement Visual field defect: stop driving CRF: needs med enquiries Sleep disorder: stop driving till

symptom free Resp: need not inform

That WAS DRY

Thanks for listening