The sections of this page contain relevant information regarding health conditions and driving an automobile.
A stroke is an interruption to the blood supply of the brain. The resulting lack of oxygen causes brain cells to die and damages the brain, often resulting in impairment that can be permanent. Stroke can change a person’s level of independence and affect his or her driving.
A stroke most often occurs suddenly and is accompanied by a set of symptoms that often includes:
The consequences of stroke vary from one person to another. They can include:
Your physician will determine whether you can continue to drive safely, with or without conditions. It is dangerous to drive after a stroke without the consent of your physician.
Your physician may also suggest that you consult an occupational therapist to have your ability to drive assessed. The occupational therapist may recommend that you adapt your vehicle or modify your driving habits.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Sleep apnea results in brief interruptions in breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea often experience drowsiness throughout the day. They may fall asleep at work, at home and even at the wheel.
Sleep apnea can cause:
Appropriate medical treatment will allow you to continue to drive safely. Until you are certain that your treatment has stabilized your condition, avoid driving alone: have a passenger accompany you, so that they can ensure you stay awake.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
Arthritis can make the following actions more difficult:
In addition, some arthritis medications may cause drowsiness and affect your alertness.
Appropriate medical follow-up will help you control your symptoms and allow you to continue driving safely.
Your physician may also suggest that you consult an occupational therapist to have your ability to drive assessed. The occupational therapist may recommend that you adapt your vehicle or modify your driving habits.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Certain eye problems, such as cataracts, affect the elderly in particular. Cataracts appear gradually, slowly resulting in a loss of vision.
A simple adjustment of your corrective lenses can improve your situation. Your eye specialist can also recommend cataract removal surgery.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Macular degeneration is a common eye issue among elderly drivers. It is the most common cause of acquired blindness among people aged 65 and older.
Early screening is important. In the first stages, most people can continue to drive safely. However, loss of central vision is obviously incompatible with driving. Regular follow-up with an eye specialist and appropriate treatment will help you adjust and may prevent blindness.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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With diabetes, the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, sometimes resulting in levels that are too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). Diabetes often requires medical treatment, especially when it comes to safety at the wheel.
Diabetes can cause the following symptoms:
Talk to your physician about driving and follow your treatment plan closely. Poorly controlled diabetes can damage your nervous system and lead to complications (eye problems, loss of sensation) that affect your ability to drive. It may become difficult for you to feel your limbs and move them quickly, such as when you must brake suddenly in order to avoid an accident.
Your physician may also suggest that you consult an occupational therapist to have your ability to drive assessed. The occupational therapist may recommend that you adapt your vehicle or modify your driving habits.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Epilepsy is the disease most likely to cause accidents, as it is impossible to predict when a seizure will happen. However, when it is properly controlled, epilepsy does not prevent a person from driving. As a preventative measure, the SAAQ requires that licence holders not have had any seizures for a certain period of time before they can drive. The length of this period depends on each person’s licence class and type of epilepsy.
If you have epilepsy, you must notify the SAAQ of your state of health.
An epileptic seizure at the wheel, whether or not convulsions occur, can seriously compromise safety, as the person loses contact with reality. This is the case even if the seizure only affects one part of the body, as it can be a major distraction at the wheel.
Many people with epilepsy feel warning signs of an epileptic seizure. If these signs appear, you must:
It is important that those close to you be aware of the risk of seizure and know how to intervene.
You must discuss driving with your physician or nurse. It is important to closely follow the treatment plan given to you by your physician.
After each new seizure, you must stop driving until you see your physician. He or she will submit the necessary information to the SAAQ and inform you of the next steps to take.
If you have previously experienced epileptic seizures, it is entirely possible for you to obtain or keep your licence. The SAAQ will determine the necessary procedures for your follow-up, depending on the type and frequency of your seizures.
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Glaucoma is a group of eye problems that irreversibly damage the optic nerve, leading to blind spots in a person’s field of vision. Without appropriate treatment, glaucoma can lead to blindness.
People with glaucoma may not notice any symptoms during the first stages, but their vision generally worsens with time, eventually resulting in “tunnel vision”.
Early screening is important. In the first stages, many people can continue to drive safely. Regular follow-up with an eye specialist will help you adjust to any changes resulting from glaucoma.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disease affecting locomotion. It can appear at any age, but it is most common in people aged 60 or older. Parkinson’s disease interferes with activities of daily living, including driving.
The following actions become more difficult:
In the first stages, certain drivers can continue to drive safely. Talk to your physician to learn more about controlling your symptoms, and their effect on road safety. Your physician may suggest that you consult with a neurologist.
Your physician may also suggest that you consult an occupational therapist to have your ability to drive assessed. The occupational therapist may recommend that you adapt your vehicle or modify your driving habits.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Thousands of people suffer from cognitive disorders or dementia, such as Alzheimer’s. If this is the case for you or someone close to you, you should talk to your physician or another health care professional, who can explain the effects of these disorders on a person’s ability to drive.
Cognitive disorders can affect your ability to drive.
Your physician may also suggest that you consult an occupational therapist to have your ability to drive assessed. The occupational therapist may recommend that you adapt your vehicle or modify your driving habits.
Even if you must limit your driving or relinquish your driver’s licence, you can still stay active and continue your normal activities.
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Last update: June 4, 2022
