Driving and MS
One of the first questions many people have when they’re diagnosed with MS is: “Will I still be able to drive?” The good news is that most people with MS continue to drive.
The DVLA and your driving licence
If you have a driving licence, you have to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you have been diagnosed with MS. In Northern Ireland, that’s the DVA. The DVLA or DVA will assess your fitness to drive using the information you provide. They might ask you to have a medical examination or a driving assessment.
You could be:
- allowed to keep your licence
- given a temporary licence, valid for one, two or three years
- given a licence that specifies which adaptations you need to use, or
- in extreme cases told to stop driving
Read more about driving licences and MS on the UK Government website
Driving insurance and MS
You need to tell your insurance company about your condition and about any driving adaptations you have. You might find suitable cover from standard insurance companies. But it’s worth shopping around and including specialist insurers to find the best cover for you.
Read more about insurance and MS
How MS affects driving
Some MS symptoms can affect your driving including:
- sensory changes
- vision problems
- fatigue
- muscle stiffness or spasms
A small loss of muscle control won’t necessarily affect your ability to drive a car. But you need to be able to operate the controls of the car safely.
Memory and concentration, spatial awareness (knowing the position of things), and clear processing of information, are also important to drivers. An assessment at a Driving Mobility Centre can help identify and address any problems.
If you need adaptations to drive, these will be noted on your licence and you’ll only be allowed to drive a car with those adaptations.
Cars can be great for mobility, but getting in and out of a car seat is not always easy. An occupational therapist or another health care professional can suggest equipment that might help whether you’re a passenger or driver.
Driving with adaptations
You might continue driving an unadapted car for some time. And lots of widely available features could be handy if you’re buying a car, including:
- automatic transmission
- power steering
- height-adjustable seats
If you don’t need to modify a car, it can help it keep its resale value. But there are adaptations that help lots of people carry on driving.
Read more about accessible car features and car adaptations
Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme makes parking easier if a driver or passenger are disabled. The scheme is run by local councils, but you can find out more and apply through the UK Government website. If you get the higher or enhanced rate for mobility with PIP, DLA or ADP, you should qualify for a Blue Badge. But you might qualify even if you don’t get these benefits.
Sativex and driving
You shouldn’t drive if a medication affects your ability to drive safely. The NHS says not to drive while taking Sativex until you know how it affects you. Side effects can include sleepiness, dizziness, changes in eyesight or concentration. If you ever get these sort of side effects you shouldn’t drive.
A 2018 research study looked at Sativex and driving. They found that if people didn’t get side effects, Sativex didn’t make people’s driving worse. Most people in the study reported they were more able to drive with Sativex. That could be because of benefits for muscle spasms and stiffness (spasticity).
The law, Sativex and driving
In England, Wales and Scotland, the law says that anyone found with certain drugs in their body while driving can be prosecuted, whether their driving is impaired or not.
And because the roadside tests the police use can detect very small amounts, if you take Sativex, you might test positive for cannabis.
But if you are taking Sativex as prescribed by your health professional, you can claim a ‘medical defence’, as long as your driving is not impaired.
The UK Government recommends that if you are taking Sativex, you have evidence in your car to avoid problems if you’re stopped. For example:
- a letter from the DVLA
- your prescription receipt
- a letter from your MS specialist
If you don’t have the evidence with you, you might have to present it at a later date.
For more information, or if you have any concerns, contact the DVLA.
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