Attend Factsheet 1j:
Introduction
Though it can be taken for granted, driving is a very complex activity that requires many cognitive and physical skills. Any of the skills needed to drive a car can be damaged after a brain injury. Thankfully, many people who have acquired a brain injury have retained most of their previous driving abilities and are able to return to driving afterwards. Though, there are legal requirements and precautions that must be adhered too.
Legal Requirements
If you drive and have acquired a brain injury it is a necessity to tell the Drivers’ Medical Group of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Not doing so is illegal and is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000. It would also lead to an invalid licence, therefor being uninsured in the event of an accident. It is also an obligation to tell your insurance company of your injury, because it would otherwise be fraud.
How to inform the DVLA
You can contact the Driver’s Medical Group of the DVLA by phone or email. They will then send you a medical questionnaire to complete. There will be a consent form to be completed by your GP or hospital consultant. The questionnaire can also be downloaded from the government website at www.direct.gov.uk/driverhealth. Go to ‘Medical conditions or disabilities’ and click on the link to ‘if you are applying for or currently hold a car or motorcycle (group one) driving licence.’ You will then download questionnaire ‘B1’ and send it to the address that is provided.
Hidden aspects of brain injury
Driving involves much more than simply starting, steering, and stopping a car. There is concentration, observation, and the ability to interpret complex road situations accurately and to react calmly and swiftly as well. A person with ABI may find it difficult to accept the fact that while they can know how to drive, other emotional and intellectual abilities stop them from being able to drive. Problems that affect driving skills are: poor concentration, reduced reaction time, difficulty switching or dividing attention, reduced ability to think ahead or anticipate what may happen, difficulty interpreting what is seen (‘reading the road’), poor memory, poor judgement of situations, perceptual difficulties, impulsive behaviour, inability to control one’s temper.
Physical aspects of brain injury
Purely physical disabilities without any accompanying cognitive impairments is usually uncommon after a brain injury. Physical difficulties that may impact driving ability are problems with movement, balance and co-ordination, weakness of limbs, fatigue, and loss of hearing or other senses. There are other issues as well like, Epilepsy. There is a higher risk of epilepsy after a brain injury. Licences cannot be given out to anyone who has had an epileptic fit in the past year. However if the seizure occurred within seven days of the injury it may be considered a ‘provoked seizure’ by the DVLA and you may be allowed to continue driving. There is also the issue of problems with vision. After a brain injury many times a person may have these visual issues: visual field neglect (cannot see anything to one side of them without moving their head), nystagmus (sudden movements of the eye), and diplopia (double vision).
Driving ability assessment
It is important to have an expert driving assessment if you have any doubt about your ability to drive safely. Mobility Centres offer on and off-road driving assessments, advise on adaptations and may be able to provide a list of approved driving instructors. Mobility Centres can also provide an unbiased assessment to tell you if your injury means you should drive or not, what car adaptations would help you overcome any physical disabilities, and the effect that your injury has on how you are seeing or thinking might affect your diving and how to cope with that.
If the DVLA allows you to keep your licence
Remember these tips: when you start driving again it’s a good idea to have another adult in the car as a passenger for the first few journeys and keep the journeys short too. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. It is important to check with your GP about any side effects of any medication you are taking. Do not drive when fatigued. Plan your journeys.
If the DVLA does not allow you to keep your licence
The DVLA may take away your licence if they feel it is unsafe for you to drive. You have a right to appeal the decision and they will tell you how to do so. Being refused a licence does not mean that you will be refused forever.
If you have not yet learned to drive
When applying for a provisional driving licence it is important to tell the DVLA you have had a brain injury. The first step in applying is to fill out the D1 form which gives details of your disability/medical condition. (www.direct.gov.uk/motoring). The DVLA may ask for more details or permission to contact your doctor. You will take the same driving test that everyone else does.
Financial assistance
If you need help with the costs of driving then you can contact the Motability Scheme (helps with leasing or buying cars), The Fiat Autonomy scheme (helps provide a range of vehicle adaptations), Local and national charities (can give grants for individuals in need check the public library)
Contact
This factsheet is brought to you by Attend
Attend.org.uk
