A diagnosis of some neurological conditions, such as Epilepsy, Stroke and Brain Tumour, requires you have to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). A list of medical conditions can be found at DirectGov.
Please note the law requires the individual to inform the DVLA of any condition which may affect their ability to drive safely. You will be sent a questionnaire to fill in and asked for your consent for the DVLA to contact your doctor. They will then decide whether you can continue to drive and how long before they will re-assess the situation.
If you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or PIP then there are several other benefits that you may be entitled to, which will help with driving:
You may be entitled to a free disabled tax disc
Access to the Motability Scheme, which provides a simple way to enjoy a new car, scooter, or powered wheelchair without the worry of owning or running one.
Access to a Blue Badge. The is for drivers or passengers with severe mobility problems who have difficulties using public transport. It allows holders of a Blue Badge to park close to where they need to go and operates throughout the UK. It is administered by local councils, so check your local council website for instructions on how to obtain one in your area.
You can get access to disbled toilets in shopping centres and pubs by using a Radar key from Disability Rights UK.
Other websites and sources of information that may be useful updated January 2019
- AA Disabled Travellers' Guide [PDF file]
Advice on travelling in Britain and abroad, by car and other forms of transport.
www.theaa.com/staticdocs/pdf/services/disabled_travellers_guide.pdf - Disabled Motoring UK - a charity for disabled drivers, passengers and Blue Badge holders (formerly the Disabled Drivers' Association)
www.disabledmotoring.org - DVLA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
At-a-glance guide to the current medical standards for fitness to drive.
www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx - DVLA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability
www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions - Gowrings
One of the UK's leading manufacturers and suppliers of wheelchair passenger vehicles.
www.gowringsmobility.co.uk - Blue Badge bays: A parking crisis?
Disabled parking provisions and abuse in the UK (Confused.com)
www.confused.com/car-insurance/disabled-parking-spaces - Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People
Offers practical advice, assessment and training for those wishing to drive or increase their mobility through assistive technology, personal mobility vehicles and adapted cars.
www.qef.org.uk/our-services/mobility-services - Worried about someone's driving?
Advice from Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/travel-hobbies/driving/worried-about-someones-driving
Links to information and advice about mobility aids, including walking aids, scooters and powered wheelchairs, and access ramps. Updated March 2015.
- Disabled Living Foundation: Choosing a scooter
DLF is a national charity providing impartial advice, information and training on independent living.
www.dlf.org.uk/factsheets/scooter - Mobility & Sickness Information Service
Masis is a charity whose website provides information for people with disabilities.
www.masis.org.uk - Motability: Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs
Motability is a charity which provides a simple way to lease a new car, scooter, or powered wheelchair. Get started with the mobility scheme and find the perfect electric wheelchair or scooter to meet your needs.
www.motability.co.uk/c/ppc/scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs/ - Motability: Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Find the right vehicle to meet your needs.
/www.motability.co.uk/wav-guide.pdf - National Federation of Shopmobility
Shopmobility is a scheme which lends manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, and powered scooters to members of the public with limited mobility to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within their local area.
http://nfsuk.org/ - Parkinson's: Equipment to help you get around
Advice on choosing the right mobility aid.
www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/equipment-help-you-get-around - Red Cross: Borrow or hire a wheelchair
The Red Cross provides short-term loans of wheelchairs and other equipment at almost 1,000 outlets
www.redcross.org.uk/Mobilityaids - REMAP: Case studies
REMAP is a charity helping people with disabilities achieve independence and a better quality of life. These case studies include developing a remote control for a wheelchair and an extension for a walking aid.
www.remap.org.uk/remap-case-studies/remap-case-studies.html - Rica: Choosing a mobility scooter
Rica is a charity carrying out consumer research for disabled people
www.rica.org.uk/content/choosing-mobility-scooter - Rica: Ramps for getting a wheelchair into a car
Advice on using a ramp for getting a wheelchair or mobility scooter into a car.
www.rica.org.uk/content/ramps-getting-wheelchair-car - Rica: Scooters and powered wheelchairs
Search Rica for the best scooter or wheelchair for you.
www.rica.org.uk/content/scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs
Insurance
The Brain Charity lists these insurance companies for information, but does not recommmend any in particular. Updated January 2018.
- Disabled Driver Insurance - Towergate Insurance offets insurance to disabled drivers and non-standard or adapted vehicles
www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/disabled-driver-insurance
