Your doctor will advise you based on your medical condition. It may also be beneficial to undergo an evaluation if a family member or friend has expressed concern over your driving.
You will undergo a number of tests which look at skills required for driving: how you think and process information, your strength and range of movement, an eye-sight screening test, and if appropriate, and a review of your driving skills.
You need to hold a current valid provisional or full driving licence . The in-car review cannot proceed without this. You will need to bring glasses if you wear them, both for long and short distance. Any medication that you require during the day would also be needed.
The review will take place in the Occupational Therapy Clinic in Brookfield Health Sciences Building in UCC. An in-car assessment will take place in the western suburbs. If you require an in-car assessment in your own locality this can be arranged at an extra charge. The review will take up to two hours.
The cost of the review (Occupational therapy assessment and in-car review, where safe) and your report is 250 euro. This must be paid for at least 2 days before the appointment. You may be able to reclaim some of the fees against your tax or against your medical insurance.
Advances in our understanding of medical conditions indicate that regular review of all guidelines relating to healthcare practice, including driving, is required. Slainte & Tiomaint (2013) reflects current medical knowledge. It is designed to promote mobility in a safe way. Once a driver is aware of any health aspects that impact on driving and follows the advice of their doctor, they can continue to drive in most cases.
The standards were introduced in January 2013 and came into effect immediately.
Some of the conditions which you must disclose are diabetes, epilepsy, stroke, fits or blackouts, pacemaker, chronic neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, memory problems, alcohol misuse, lost of sight in one eye, severe learning disability, serious hearing deficit and others not listed. (Please refer to Slainte & Tiomaint page 61).
The laws require you to report to your driver licensing authority, any permanent or long-term illness that is likely to affect your ability to drive safely. You must answer any questions about your health truthfully. You must follow the guidelines regarding your medication and you must comply with the requirements of your licence as appropriate. (Ref: Slainte & Tiomaint)
Your doctor has the final say in whether you are fit to drive. He or she may avail of supporting information from an occupational therapist and/or a driving instructor experienced in this area.
Your doctor will advise you but in most cases it will not affect your licence status provided you follow your doctor’s advice. For example, you may be advised not to drive while wearing a temporary eye patch.
Since January 2013 the Road Safety Authority is the licensing authority with the responsibility of ensuring that all licence holders are fit to drive.
The legal basis of fitness to drive arises from the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006, Statutory Instrument Number 537 of 2006, as amended in 2010 and associated regulations, as well as the Directive (91/439/EEC) on driving licences. Directive (91/439/EEC) was amended by Directive 2009/112/EC with effect from 15.9.09 and these amendments came into force in Ireland in 2010.
Since January 2013 the Road Safety Authority is the licensing authority with the responsibility of ensuring that all licence holders are fit to drive.
The legal basis of fitness to drive arises from the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006, Statutory Instrument Number 537 of 2006, as amended in 2010 and associated regulations, as well as the Directive (91/439/EEC) on driving licences. Directive (91/439/EEC) was amended by Directive 2009/112/EC with effect from 15.9.09 and these amendments came into force in Ireland in 2010.
Your doctor will complete a form and you are responsible for contacting the Driving Licensing Authority and let them know you have a condition, which may impact on your driving. Your doctor will keep a copy of this completed form.
You will be provided with a brief outline of the information that will be sent to your doctor in a report. A copy of that report will also be sent to you and any other persons agreed at the review.
You will be provided with a brief outline of the information that will be sent to your doctor in a report. A copy of that report will also be sent to you and any other persons agreed at the review.
Unfortunately a restricted licence is not available in Ireland. You must satisfy all the requirements to drive if you wish to hold a licence.
The responsibility for issuing, renewing or refusing a driving licence lies with the Driving licensing Authority. An appeals procedure is available for drivers who have been refused a licence on medical grounds. The Driving licensing Authority will inform drivers of the appeals process when informing them of licensing decision. Again, the cost of any appeals must be borne by the individual.
