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Health, medication, and mobility

All drivers, whatever their age, are required by law to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the onset or worsening of a medical condition which may affect their ability to drive safely. These include any heart condition, epilepsy, diabetes, and difficulty in the use of limbs affecting a driver’s ability to control a vehicle and include previous health conditions.

GOV.UK - Medical conditions, disabilities and driving

Medication

It’s difficult to predict whether a particular medication will affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Everyone reacts in different ways and sometimes you don’t even notice the effects until it’s too late. The combined effect of alcohol and medication is even worse.

Always ask your GP or pharmacist whether your medication will affect your driving – even when taking over the counter medicines.

Avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy, light headed, having difficulty concentrating, feeling edgy, generally unwell, nauseous or have any loss of coordination.

Mobility

Stiff joints, arthritis or muscular problems can affect your mobility making steering, changing gear, and even applying the handbrake more difficult.

  • Talk to your doctor about simple exercise programmes that could help to improve your mobility.
  • Try automatic instead of manual vehicles.
  • Consult mobility experts or Driving instructors about what accessories are available to make driving more comfortable.
  • When driving taking frequent breaks to stretch and move around.
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