Driving, dementia and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: A survey of old age psychiatrists

Abstract

Aims and method: We surveyed old age psychiatrists in the north-east of England to determine what they considered relevant indicators of driving ability. The survey asked about their satisfaction with the current Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) procedure f assessing competence to drive in patients with dementia and how they thought this could be improved. Results: Fifty-seven out of 76 psychiatrists (75%) responded; 26 (45%) respondents thought the forms issued by the DVLA were unsatisfactory but 32 (57%) were satisfied with the eventual decisions made about individual patients. Factors thought to be relevant indicators of driving ability were occupational therapy (n=46,81%), neuropsychological assessments (n=43,75%) and carer's report of driving (n=48,84%). Factors thought not to be relevant were patient's report of driving ability (n=13, 23%) and the Mini Mental State Examination (n=21, 38%). Clinical implications: The current system for determining driving ability in people with cognitive impairment and dementia was felt to be unsatisfactory. A multidisciplinary approach and use of on-road driving assessments may improve decision-making.