Fitness to Drive

Question 1

What is a prescribed disability?

Answer 1

A disability that is a legal bar to the holding of the licence.

Example: epilepsy

Question 2

What is a relevant disability?

Answer 2

Any medical condition that is likely to render the persona source of danger while driving.

Example: visual field defect

Question 3

What is a prospective disability?

Answer 3

Any medical condition that has the potential to become a relevant or prescribed disability over the course of time. A drive in this case will normally hold a licence which will require a medical review every few years.

Examples: insulin treated diabetes.

Question 4

If a patient experiences an isolated event with warning symptoms (eg. hypo), what action should be taken?

Answer 4

They do not need to stop driving or inform DVLA but advice should be given:

• Regular BM checks
• Snacks to hand
• Avoid long journeys
• Avoid alcohol

Question 5

If a patient experiences a second hypo with no prodromal symptoms, what action should be taken?

Answer 5

Patient should stop driving until they regain awareness of hypoglycaemia.

The doctor should inform them to tell the DVLA .

Question 6

In relation to Diabetes, what requires you to inform the DVLA?

Answer 6

• Laser surgery for diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic neuropathy/PVD
• More than one severe hypo within a year
• If you taken insulin
• If you are a group 2 driver (lorry etc) you should inform the DVLA about ANY medication you take.

Question 7

If a patient has stable angina, are they allowed to drive?

Answer 7

Yes, don’t need to inform DVLA.

Question 8

If a patient has unstable angina, are they allowed to drive?

Answer 8

No - they must stop until symptoms are adequately controlled, don’t need to inform DVLA.

Question 9

If a patient has an MI, what action should be taken?

Answer 9

Stop driving for a week, don’t need to inform DVLA.

Question 10

If a patient has a TIA, what action should be taken?

Answer 10

Stop driving for a month, don’t need to inform DVLA.

Question 11

If a patient suffers multiple TIAs, what action should be taken?

Answer 11

Stop driving for 3 months, don’t need to inform DVLA.

Question 12

If a patient suffers a stroke, what action should be taken?

Answer 12

Stop driving for 1 month with no DVLA notification, unless there is a significant residual deficit after 1 month.

Question 13

If a patient suffers multiple faints, including some sitting down, what action should be taken?

Answer 13

No driving until underlying cause is identified, or no further episodes for 6 months.
Inform DVLA.

Question 14

If a patient has an AAA, what action should be taken?

Answer 14

> 6cm - DVLA notification and licence subject to annual review
6.5cm - DVLA notification and excluded from driving

Question 15

If a patient has a simple faint with prodromal symptoms, and no abnormal examination findings, are they allowed to drive?

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

If a patient has an isolated seizure, what action should be taken?

Answer 16

No driving for 6 months unless there are clinical risk factors or investigation results which suggest an unacceptably high risk of a further seizure.
Inform DVLA

Question 17

If an HGV driver had an isolated seizure, what action should be taken?

Answer 17

No driving for 5 years, unless there are clinical risk factors or results to suggest risk of further seizure.
Inform DVLA.

Question 18

If a patient has a second seizure, what action should be taken?

Answer 18

1. Start on treatment
2. No driving for a year
3. If still seizure free, 3 year licence is issued.
4. If still seizure free after 5 years, back to normal licence

Inform DVLA.

Question 19

If an HGV driver has a second seizure, what action should be taken?

Answer 19

He needs to be seizure free for 10 years, without having any medication in this time, in order to drive again. He needs to inform the DVLA.

Question 20

How are provoked seizures treated?

Answer 20

On an individual basis (eg. seizure after head injury)

NB - seizures related to alcohol, drug misuse, sleep deprivation or a structural abnormality are not considered provoked.

Question 21

What is a blue badge?

Answer 21

Badges administered by the council for permanent/chronic conditions, giving certain benefits.

Question 22

As well as the DVLA, what other organisation might need to be informed for any of these conditions?

Answer 22

Insurance company