Fitness to drive for brain
tumour patients -
a personal experience
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I had a craniotomy and I needed to notify my local licensing authority
[3.2.2.1 Duty to report*]. I had symptoms common to brain tumours,
such as seizures, and less common, such as hemiparesis (weakness
down one side
of the body). Not reportingcan mean penalties of up to
two years not driving with some licensing authorities, including fines.
It required patience and persistence on my part to get my licence
back. My first step was getting the required medical approval. My GP
signed off the form, I presume after getting the ok from the
neurosurgeon [14.2.11 Intracranial surgery*].
I have read an article where a patient lied about their seizures and
the police tried to hold the doctor responsible when that patient
crashed. Don't be that person - it's not fair to the rest of us.
Once I had my medical form signed I went to the licensing authority.
This was a more difficult stage for me than most because of my seizure
and disability. I had a seizure before the operation and hemiparesis,
weakness down one side of the body, afterwards.
After a couple of meetings, we agreed that I should have a driving
test, so I now have my licence back. Due to my not being able to use
my leg normally it took some convincing, but at the second meeting I was
able to sit in the car and show them that I could operate the pedals.
My licence has restrictions, such as driving an automatic and using a
steering nob. Initially, it looked as though I was going to need to
drive a modified car with my left foot. I decided to practice for 6
months to enable me to pass the test with the right foot.
I have had to stop driving twice. It was felt my mild seizures were
due to fatigue and I was not able to drive for 1 month each time
[8.3.3 Recurrent seizure*].
It can be at times a frustrating process. A calm head will serve you
well. While there is a realistic chance of you driving, I don't
recommend you give up. To their credit, the licensing authorities and
AustRoads are making progress to make it simpler for those of us who
have lost their licence through medical reasons.
[*Assessing Fitness to Drive -
http://www.austroads.com.au/cms/AFTD%20web%20Aug%202006.pdf]
The below links are provided for your information:
ACT - http://www.austroads.com.au/aftd/index.html
NSW - http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/healthmedicals/index.html
The Cancer Institute NSW has also produced a specific
brochure “Brain Tumours and Driving –
A guide for patients and carers”, which is available for
download from here: http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/media/33360/2010-11_e10-21390_nswog_neuro_
oncology_brain_tumours_driving_patients_carers.pdf
QLD - http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Licensing/Medical-condition-reporting/Medical-requirements.aspx
SA - http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/roadsafety/safe_road_users/fitness_to_drive
VIC - http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licences/MedicalConditions/SeizuresAndDriving.htm
WA - http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20395.asp
General - http://www.nevdgp.org.au/info/epilepsyf/info/driving.html
http://www.epinet.org.au/articles/living_well_with_epilepsy/driving