Driving can be possible with Parkinson’s, but there are a few things to bear in mind. An important aspect of driving ability is reaction time. In research studies using simulators, people with Parkinson’s have been shown to react slightly more slowly than healthy people of the same age. This can, of course, be dangerous on the road. Motor skills are also often slightly slower, and vision can be affected – for example, if you have double vision, this is obviously not good when driving. If you have cognitive difficulties – that is, problems with memory, spatial awareness and the like – you should not drive a motor vehicle. Generally speaking, therefore, Parkinson’s can impair your ability to drive, but it depends entirely on the severity – and the nature – of your symptoms. If you’re unsure, an occupational therapist can assess these functions, and some hospitals have specialist driving licence units that can test your ability to drive. /Dag Nyholm
