Transcript DVLA - Carmarthen GP VTS

Fitness To Drive
Basima Ansar
20/01/2009
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 DVLA
GMC 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
disorder
Group 1 Disorders
Group 2
Epilepsy
1st fit
3 yearly, 7 yr 10 y seizure
s. free with
free
med
1 yr restriction 10 yr s. free
Simple faint
No restriction
LOC
4 weeks, no
cause 6 m
Chronic eg
Can retainMS,parkinsons assessment
Sudden attack Stop till
No restriction
3 months, no
cause 1 y
Revoked assessment
Stop, 1 yr
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 freeassess
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