Safe driving is a demanding task that requires a number of intact neurological functions including:

• visuospatial perception
• insight
• judgement
• attention and concentration
• comprehension
• reaction time
• memory
• sensation
• muscle power (refer to section 5. Musculoskeletal conditions)
• coordination
• vision (refer to section 10. Vision and eye disorders).

Impairment of any of these capacities may be caused by neurological disorders and therefore affect safe driving ability. In addition to these deficits, some neurological conditions produce seizures.

This chapter provides guidance and medical criteria for the following conditions:

• dementia (refer to section 6.1)
• seizures and epilepsy (refer to section 6.2)
• other neurological conditions including (refer to section 6.3):
  • aneurysms
  • cerebral palsy
  • head injury
  • neuromuscular conditions
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • Ménière’s disease
  • stroke
  • transient ischaemic attacks
  • subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • space-occupying lesions including brain tumours
  • other neurodevelopmental conditions.

The focus of this chapter is on long-term or progressive disorders affecting driving ability and licensing status. Some guidance (advisory only) is provided regarding short-term fitness to drive – for example, following a head injury. Refer also to Part A section 2.2.3. Temporary conditions.

Where people experience musculoskeletal, visual or psychological symptoms, the relevant standards should also be considered. Refer to section 5. Musculoskeletal conditions, section 7. Psychiatric conditions and section 10. Vision and eye disorders.