Healthcare Professionals
Assessing fitness to drive
Safe and independent driving requires motor, sensory and cognitive function. Where any number of these skills have been affected by illness or disability, driving may be compromised.
If you or others have concerns regarding someone’s fitness to drive, the DVLA and GMC have very clear guidelines regarding protocol. Having considered the guidelines you may be required to inform DVLA of your concerns:
Advise your patient to stop driving until a decision is made by DVLA. If you inform the DVLA of your concerns, they may then request a driving assessment. For guidance, please see DVLA notification by drivers or healthcare professionals
OR
Attend the Driving and Mobility Centre for a full driving assessment. N.B. We can only see people for assessment in a car if they have appropriate licence cover. For those without licence cover there may be other options available, please contact the centre.
The fee to the driver will be subsidised if a healthcare professional completes a referral form for the driver to go with the application form.
How does a patient refer themselves?
They may contact us directly by telephone or email. We will send them an application form and with their consent we will approach you for information regarding their medical condition.
How much will a driving assessement cost?
Self-referral – please see our assessment fees
Referral via the Motability scheme is free to patient www.motability.co.uk.
Referral via DVLA is free to patient
How do I inform the DVLA of my concerns?
Please see the DVLA website
Further information
If you require further information, or would like to arrange a visit or presentation for your organisation, please contact the Centre.
Please see the events page for details of our open day for Healthcare Professionals in December.
The DVLA maintain the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain and the registration and licensing of vehicles. They are responsible for recording medical conditions and can refer people to us for assessments.
The Motability Scheme provides an affordable, worry-free way for people with disabilities to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for their mobility allowance.
We are a part of Driving Mobility, which is a network of independent organisations which offer professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to people who need to gain or retain independence through mobility.
RiDC gives information on a wide range of mobility products, cars, scooters and wheelchairs and also develops consumer research for older and disabled people.
Stroke is a UK-wide charity solely concerned with combating strokes in people of all ages. They work with stroke survivors and their families, researchers and medics.
Parkinsons UK drives better care, treatments and quality of life. They provide expert information on every aspect of Parkinson’s so that people affected by the condition can stay in control of their lives.
The MS Society is the UK’s leading MS charity. They provide information and support on MS and funding for research.
Alzheimer’s Society support anyone affected by dementia, to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.