Driving advice

Question 1

Stroke

Answer 1

Must not drive but may not need
to notify the DVLA.

Driving may resume after 1 month if
there has been satisfactory clinical
recovery.

The DVLA does not need to be notified
unless there is residual neurological
deficit 1 month after the episode and,
in particular:

■ visual field defects

■ cognitive defects

■ impaired limb function.

Minor limb weakness alone after a
stroke will not require notification to
the DVLA unless restriction to certain
types of vehicle or adapted controls
may be needed. With adaptations,
severe physical impairment may not be
an obstacle to driving.

NB visual inattention = can’t drive

Question 2

Epilepsy

Answer 2

Must not drive and must inform DVLA.

Not for one year after last seizure

Question 3

TIA single episode

Answer 3

Must not drive for one month

Do not need to inform DVLA

Question 4

multiple TIA

Answer 4

Must not drive and must notify
the DVLA.

Multiple TIAs over a short period
will require no driving for 3 months.

Driving may resume after 3 months

Question 5

SAH due to aneurysm

Answer 5

Must not drive until clinical
confirmation of recovery but need not
notify the DVLA.

Question 6

SAH cause other than aneurysm

Answer 6

Must not drive and must notify
the DVLA.

Will need clinical confirmation of
recovery and, if no other cause has
been identified, a documented normal
cerebral angiogram.

Question 7

Angina

Answer 7

Must not drive when symptoms
occur:

■ at rest

■ with emotion

■ at the wheel.

Driving may resume after satisfactory
symptom control.

Need not notify the DVLA.

Question 8

ACS

Answer 8

Must not drive but need not notify
the DVLA.

Driving may resume 1 week after
ACS if successful coronary intervention
(PCI) and if all of the following are met:

■ no other urgent revascularisation
planned (urgent means within
4 weeks of acute event)

■ LV ejection fraction is at least 40%
before hospital discharge

■ there is no other disqualifying
condition.

If not treated by successful coronary
intervention or any of the above are
not met, driving may resume only
after 4 weeks from the acute event,
provided there is no other disqualifying
condition.

Question 9

Arrhythmia

Answer 9

Must not drive if arrhythmia has
caused or is likely to cause incapacity.

Driving may resume without DVLA
notification only after:

■ underlying cause has been identified

■ arrhythmia is controlled for at least
4 weeks.

Must notify the DVLA if there are
distracting or disabling symptoms
and/or arrhythmia is not controlled for
at least 4 weeks, and an underlying
cause has not been identified.

Question 10

AAA

Answer 10

May drive but must notify
the DVLA if aneurysm diameter
is between 6cm and 6.4cm. Can’t drive if bigger than that

Question 11

HTN

Answer 11

May drive and need not notify the DVLA

Question 12

Heart failure

Answer 12

May drive and need not notify until:

NYHA class IV- Must not drive and must notify the DVLA.

Question 13

ECG abnormality- suspected MI

Answer 13

May drive and need not notify
the DVLA.

There must be no other disqualifying
condition.

Question 14

Diabetes

Answer 14

Controlled by insulin, sulfonylureas or glinides- essentially depends on whether then have dangerous hypoglycaemia.

Controlled by other drug- can probably drive as long as under medical care. Certain criteria.

Lifestyle alone- can drive as long as no disabling complications such as visual field defects.

The DVLA sends insulin dependent drivers a letter stating their responsibilities.

Question 15

Psych e.g. psychotic, severe depression

Answer 15

Generally can’t drive until recovered, gained insight etc

Question 16

cognitive impairment e.g. parkinsons or dementia

Answer 16

Maybe

Should notify DVLA

May need formal assessment