People with certain medical conditions may be told to “stop driving” by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. DVLA officials could tell motorists to “avoid driving” if they take some medicines, according to Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance experts Quotezone.co.uk.
Mr Wilson cautioned that those on “strong medications” could face the risk of losing their driving licences, including those prescribed opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and “certain antidepressants”. The concern is that some medicines may induce “drowsiness”.
Greg said: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving. Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
The NHS has stated: “Some antidepressants can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision, particularly when you first start taking them. If you do experience these problems, you should not drive or use tools and machinery.”
Whenever the term “excessive sleepiness” is used it means “excessive sleepiness having, or likely to have, an adverse effect on driving”, as defined by the DVLA. . Where DVLA guidance refers to “drowsiness” it should be interpreted as excessive sleepiness, reports Birmingham Live.
If you’re suffering from moderate or severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS), which includes excessive sleepiness, you are not allowed to drive until your Sleep Clinic has confirmed that your OSAS is under control, your sleepiness is no longer excessive, and you are complying with CPAP treatment. You must inform the DVLA, who will require medical confirmation that your symptoms are under control.
If your driving license has already been revoked, you can then apply for it to be restored. If you experience excessive sleepiness where OSAS is suspected, you must not drive until OSAS has been diagnosed and your Sleep Clinic has confirmed that your excessive sleepiness is being satisfactorily controlled by treatment.
If moderate or severe OSAS is diagnosed, the notification requirements in the previous paragraph will apply. If mild OSAS is diagnosed, you only need to notify the DVLA if your excessive sleepiness cannot be controlled within three months.
