For anyone with a disability, medical condition or age related condition beginning, continuing or returning to driving, an on-road driving assessment may be recommended by a medial health professional to establish whether they are fit to drive.
If now or in the future you are required to under-go an on-road driving assessment it should not be seen as something negative or as having a pass or fail outcome. Maintaining the driver’s lifestyle and employment-related mobility independence is paramount both for your medical professional and organisations like the Disabled Drivers Association.
In most cases, having a medical condition will not stop you from driving as the National Driver Licensing Authority (NDLS) is able to issue a conditional licence. This means that you may continue to drive as long as certain conditions or restrictions are met. The assessment may be a key component in developing strategies for you to begin, to continue or to return to driving. However in some cases it is just no longer safe for a person to drive.
When is it necessary to do an on-road driving assessment?
An on-road driving assessment may be recommended by a medial health professional to establish whether you are fit to drive. This could be for a multitude of reasons particularly the presence or change of any medical condition(s) or functional impairment which may impact your ability to drive safely, for example – cognitive impairment, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, amputation etc.
Your GP or consultant will normally refer you to the DDAI for an on-road driving assessment. We cover the MAYO, GALWAY & SLIGO regions.
What is an on-road driving assessment?
An on-road driving assessment should last no longer than 1 hour 30 minutes. Firstly, your approved driving assessor will gather information about your current driving habits, driver licence details, eyesight, physical range of movement and strength and any prescribed medication that might impair your ability to drive safely. This is followed by an on-road driving assessment, conducted by your approved driving assessor and consists of a range of driving situations such as high and low speed zones, controlled and uncontrolled intersections, parking and manoeuvring. The drive will include situations that you would normally face when driving but if relevant, you may also include motorway or dual carriageway driving. An on-road driving assessment is not a driving test but rather an assessment of your ability to safely control your vehicle and to drive safely.
Who pays for the on-road driving assessment?
You will be required to pay the cost of your on-road driving assessment. There is a fee ranging from €125 - €150
When do I need to provide a valid medical report?
Your application must be accompanied by a medical report form if any of the following apply to you:
- You are aged 75 or over
- You suffer from certain medical conditions (visit www.ndls.ie for a list of conditions)
- Your current driving licence or learner permit includes the notation code 101 which indicates that renewal is subject to submission of a valid medical report
- You have ever suffered from alcoholism
- You have ever suffered from epilepsy
- You are applying for a learner permit or driving licence in any of the C or D categories (bus and truck) C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E or DE.
- On a regular basis you are taking, drugs or medication which would be likely to make you an unsafe driver
Useful websites
National Driver License Service - www.ndls.ie
The Road Safety Authority - www.rsa.ie
The National Programme Office for Traffic Medicine is currently engaged in a consultation to regularise the various agencies conducting assessments around driving to ensure the assessment process meets appropriate standards and is fair rigorous and consistent no matter which agency conducts the assessment. DDAI is actively involved in this process.
