What should I expect if I'm invited for a driving assessment?
Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s doesn’t mean that you’ll have to stop driving immediately. But you must tell your licensing agency straight away and they will decide whether you can continue to drive safely.
Sometimes they can do that from the information you give them, or write to your GP or specialist for more details. You may also be asked to go for a medical examination, or be asked to complete a driving assessment.
Angela Hutchinson is a mobility centre manager in Belfast. She explains what happens if you're invited for an assessment.
At the centre, we assess people’s ability to drive safely. Someone is usually referred to us from the DVA after they have declared a medical condition, such as Parkinson’s. In England, Scotland and Wales, referrals are made by the DVLA.
Ahead of your assessment, I’d recommend seeing an optician, even if you don’t wear glasses. On the day, you’ll be asked to read a number plate at the minimum legal distance (20 metres). An optician will be able to tell you if your vision meets the standard for driving.
On the assessment day
Your assessor will introduce themselves and explain what the assessment will involve. This is also a good opportunity for you to talk about how Parkinson’s affects you and any concerns you may have.
Afterwards, you’ll go for a drive with your assessor for about 40 minutes, usually in your own car. You’ll drive in different traffic conditions such as down a busy high street or on a dual carriageway, and be asked to perform a number of tasks, like making left and right turns and braking. This allows your assessor to check both your physical and cognitive ability to drive safely.
Most centres allow a two or three hour slot for an assessment. So if you need a break perhaps because you’re in pain or are fatigued, you’re able to do so.
At the end of the assessment
Once you've finished the assessment, your assessor may tell you they're happy with your driving and you’ve essentially passed, or if you would benefit from adaptations in your car.
There are lots of different adaptations that can be made. For example, if you have a tremor which affects your braking foot, we could look at moving the brake to the steering wheel unit.
Some people fail the assessment because the assessor believes they can’t drive safely at the current time. If you do fail, I would always recommend coming back for another assessment if your condition improves - perhaps because you’re taking a different medication.
Mobility centres
More broadly, mobility centres are able to advise drivers, and I’d encourage people to get in touch with us if you have questions or concerns around your driving. Our main purpose is to keep people independent and on the road as long as they can do so safely, and there are lots of things we can suggest to support that.
Parkinson’s affects everyone differently, so if you can share how the condition is affecting you, we can provide tailored advice for your own circumstances and needs.