Assessing Fitness to Drive - BiOptic Driving Network

MENTAL HEALTHCONDITIONMEDICAL STANDARDS – MENTAL HEALTHDRIVERS OF CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS,MOTORCYCLE RIDERS19a Acute Psychotic Illnesses Should not drive during an active phase of apsychotic illness.19b Aggressive Behaviour Should not drive if aggression is not controlled.Where a patient has a history of overtly aggressivebehaviour or has undergone long-term counsellingor drug therapy for conditions in which overt aggressionplays a part, psychiatric assessment is essential.19c Anorexia Nervosa and May drive if condition stable.Bulimia Nervosa19d Anxiety and Panic Disorders May drive if condition stable and patient capable of safeand responsible driving. Side effects of medication needto be assessed.19e Bipolar Affective Disorder May drive if condition stable. Psychiatric opinionrecommended. Persons with acute manias shouldnot drive.19f Chronic Psychiatric Illness May drive if condition stable and patient capable of safeand responsible driving.19g DepressionMay drive if condition stable. All patients on medicationneed to be assessed carefully. Should not drive if beingstabilised on medication. Patients with severedepression and impaired concentration or agitationshould not drive.19h Past Psychiatric Illness May drive if condition stable.19i Personality Disorders May drive if condition stable and patient capable of safeand responsible driving. Where personality disorderscreate behavioural problems which may havesignificant effects on the road safety of the patient orothers, the driver licensing authority should be informed(see page 74).19j Psychotic Illnesses May drive if condition is not acute and patient capableof safe and responsible driving.Patients should be made aware about the effects of their condition on driving and advisedof their legal obligation to notify the driver licensing authority where driving is likely to beaffected. As a last resort, practitioners may themselves advise the driver licensing authority.37