Medical conditions that can affect driving ability

Driving is an involved activity, and medical conditions can hamper one’s ability to drive. Though, what conditions be considered and looked out for? It’s important to know these medical conditions and make sound judgments based on how they can affect driving ability. 

For countries like the Philippines, the LTO is able to issue drivers’ licenses with certain condition codes. For now, five codes are followed: 

• 1 – Drive with corrective lenses 
• 2 – Drive only with special equipment for upper limbs and/or lower limbs 
• 3 – Drive customized motor vehicles only 
• 4 – Drive only during daylight 
• 5 – Drive only with hearing aid 

These condition codes all consider and accommodate special cases. Individuals with these codes can still get behind the wheel but with special equipment or accommodations in the interest of safety for all on the road. 

While the LTO doesn’t have a list of recognized ailments and conditions that may hamper one’s ability to drive, there are a few specific conditions that must be considered as well, apart from the general condition codes set by the LTO. 

While most visually-impaired cases can be resolved with corrective lenses, there are a few conditions that need to be considered when assessing one’s ability to drive. It goes without saying that total blindness is a difficult condition to have, but it renders one ineligible to drive, sadly. 

Apart from that, however, there are three eye conditions that will hamper one’s ability to drive, the first being cataracts. Cataracts affect one’s vision by clouding up the lens of one’s eye. Thankfully, corrective surgery can relieve the symptoms, and thus make driving possible again. 

Another condition is age-related macular degeneration, which is more common among older individuals. This impairment makes one’s central field of vision appear blurred, and it will hamper one’s ability to read signs, see pedestrians, other cars, or other obstacles on the road. 

Glaucoma is a complex disease, and it affects the optic nerve in one’s eye. Provided that the disease is caught early on and treated right away, it may never affect one’s driving, but the key here is to get a professional diagnosis early and follow the advice of a doctor. 

If a driver is recovering from an injury, or if a physical condition is preventing one from driving normally and safely, then getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle isn’t the safest bet. Minor physical impairments like sprains and sore muscles, are mostly fine, however, conditions like arthritis should be treated and cleared first for absolute peace of mind. 

Apart from that, it’s important to get a doctor’s recommendation in the case of healing fractures, major sprains, post-surgical patients, and others. Not all physical impairments will prevent one from driving, however, this is up for advisement as driving may put oneself in a compromising position for recovery, or work a muscle or joint that needs to sit still. 

Amputees are a special case. As stated in the LTO's guidelines, special attachments or modifications to a car can be accommodated to allow one to get behind the wheel. As such, this is a special case, but one that shouldn't hamper one's ability to drive given proper training and practice given the driver's situation. 

Epileptic attacks can be quite the ordeal, and getting a seizure mid-drive is unsafe, and may often lead to an accident. This medical condition can lead to loss of consciousness without warning, and drivers applying for a license must be cleared by a doctor in order to safely get behind the wheel. Just because a person is suffering from epilepsy, doesn’t mean that he or she should not be allowed to drive. It’s only in the worst cases that a person should not be allowed to drive. Otherwise, consult a medical professional for clearance. 

Depending on what type of diabetes, one may or may not need to be too concerned, provided that proper medications and treatments are being administered. If one’s taking tablets and non-insulin injections, then a doctor’s consultation will be needed about the condition. 

However, if one is on insulin shots for three months or more, then one must consider getting additional clearances from a doctor first before driving as more serious cases of diabetes can include problems with vision and also cognition. 

Conditions like dementia, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or other neural medical conditions will affect one’s ability to drive. 

Just like the other conditions, proper consultation is necessary here. However, serious conditions like dementia should be monitored. While in its early stages, it can still be considered safe to drive with, close monitoring will be required as decision-making, memory, and social skills can take a hit over time, and will affect one’s ability to drive. 

Driving with a heart condition may be risky, but given proper care, treatment, and practices, no problems should arise behind the wheel. 

Although, cases like angina, however, may affect one’s driving as it can cause one’s emotions to flare up and cause a heart problem or an accident on the road. Apart from that, hypertension is another condition of concern, as added stress levels behind the wheel can negatively affect one’s health. Heart attacks are also another concern, so be sure to consult a doctor about the necessary care and steps to take before getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. 

Cancer brings a whole host of health problems to the table, and getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle will be a big risk. Cancer patients are not always in the best shape, especially when receiving treatment for their condition. As such, and given how stressful piloting a motor vehicle can be, a doctor’s opinion is needed here, and one’s ability to drive will depend on the progress of the cancer, or the type of medication and treatment one is on. Regardless, if safety is a concern, driving a motor vehicle probably isn’t the safest bet for an individual fighting the big C. 

Having no sleep is dangerous behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Falling asleep behind the wheel is a big safety concern and one that must not be taken lightly. Sleeping disorders can get in the way of productivity and safety, as the lack of sleep can inhibit cognition and decision-making, apart from blacking out and falling asleep behind the wheel. 

Consult a doctor and make sure to seek medical advice with this condition, as it may result in an accident if not properly looked out for. 

Drivers who are diagnosed with a mental condition such as depression and anxiety may still be fit to drive a motor vehicle, however, as long as the condition does not affect their ability to stay safe behind the wheel. However, more serious conditions like paranoid schizophrenia, psychosis, or bipolar disorder, must be addressed by a professional, and from there, sound advice from a doctor is needed on whether or not an individual is fit to get behind the wheel. 

It will be up to a doctor in order to assess whether an individual is fit to drive a motor vehicle with this condition. ASC doesn’t always completely inhibit one’s ability to drive, however, other conditions like Asperger syndrome, definitely require a medical professional’s opinion on the matter. Be sure to consult a doctor.