Talking to patients about driving

1. Tell the patient and carer what to expect. It is

the patients legal responsibility to inform the RTA
that they have a medical condition which could
affect their driving.
2. Complete the required RTA medical form. This
form states whether or not the patient is fit to drive.
The patients licence may be temporarily cancelled or
downgraded whilst they are undergoing treatment.
Returning to driving will depend on their medical
condition, treatment, medication and whether they
have had a seizure or not.
3. Explain the consequences of driving on a
suspended licence. A patient can be held civilly and
criminally liable if they do not declare that they have a
medical condition that could affect their driving, and
their insurer would probably not provide coverage.
The patient and their family would also have to live
with the legal and moral consequences of causing
an accident which could result in the injury, death
or permanent disability of another person.
4. Talk about how to get a licence reinstated. The
patient can return to driving if you have completed
the RTA medical form that says they are fit to drive.
The patient may need to complete an assessment
with a registered driver-trained occupational
therapist. There is a cost for this assessment, but it
is minor compared to the costs of an accident and
subsequent legal costs. It will also provide peace of
mind for the patient and their family and allow them
to refresh their driving skills.

Fitness to drive:
Health professionals checklist
I have explained licence suspension
to the patient.
I have discussed legal and social
responsibility.
I have told the patient where to
get support.
I have written my recommendation
(whether to drive or not) in the medical
record and informed the GP.
I have given the patient the Brain
Tumours and Driving: A guide for
patients and carers brochure.

For more information on

patient support call Cancer
Council Helpline 13 11 20
This brochure is proudly sponsored by Orphan
Australia. Ideas and information were generated and
developed by members of the Cancer Institute NSW:
NSWOG for Neuro-oncology Group. Cancer Council
NSW edited, designed and produced this brochure.

5. Give the patient the Brain Tumours and Driving:

A guide for patients and carers brochure. This
will provide more information about being medically
fit to drive.

7. Make a note in the patients record that

you have discussed driving and your
recommendations and send a letter
to the GP to keep them informed.

A guide for clinicians

This brochure will help you:
talk to patients and their families about driving
determine if a patient is medically fit to drive

A patient is required to meet RTA standards. An

assessment does not guarantee a return to driving
if there are ongoing deficits resulting from their
condition or treatment that impact on driving.

6. Refer the patient to the Cancer Council Helpline

(13 11 20). A counsellor may also be able to provide
emotional support.

Brain Tumours
and Driving

Note to reader
The information in this guide has been prepared for use by medical professionals. It does not contain legal
or medical advice. It should be considered as information only, and not a complete diagnostic tool.
It is not intended to establish a particular standard of care, or to serve as a substitute for the application of
the individual doctors medical judgment in the particular circumstances presented in each patient situation.
This brochure is not intended for use by consumers, patients or their families. It is not intended to provide an
alternative to any other relevant professional advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease or condition.
To the extent permissible by law, Orphan Australia, Cancer Council NSW, Cancer Institute NSW and their
staff exclude all liability for any damage, loss, injury (including death) or any other negative effects relating
in any way to the application of the information provided in this brochure.

give patients basic information about licence

suspension and reinstatement.

Is my patient fit to drive?

Talking to patients about driving

Brain tumours, seizures and certain treatments and

medications can impair a persons driving skills. If a person
is not medically fit to drive, their licence will be cancelled by
the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA). The loss of licence
may be temporary or permanent.

You can also refer to the below Fitness to Drive Algorithm,

which was developed by medical, nursing and allied health
professionals working with brain tumour patients. The
algorithm is a practical tool that may help you apply the
NTCs standards.

To determine a patients fitness to drive, you will need

to use the national medical standards for licensing.
These standards are published by the National Transport
Commission (NTC) Australia and Austroads, the association
of Australian and New Zealand road and traffic authorities.
You can read the standards online at www.ntc.gov.au.

An RTA medical form will need to be completed stating

whether the patient is fit to drive or not and whether
assessment by a registered driver-trained occupational
therapist is required.

Talking to a brain tumour patient about their ability

to drive can be challenging.
For many people, a drivers licence symbolises
independence and freedom. Some older patients may
have been driving for decades without any problems.
A patient will probably feel upset if you tell them their
licence will be cancelled. Patients without family
support may worry about how to manage daily
activities, like attending treatment or running errands.
Carers or family members may be concerned about
how their day-to-day life will be impacted.

Brain Tumour Diagnosis

No Craniotomy
incl. Radiosurgery

No deficit

Deficit present

Seizure
(at any time)

NO DRIVING

Craniotomy

No deficit
after surgery

Deficit present

Surgeon decisionlow risk for seizure

NO DRIVING
- 3 months

One seizure

Multiple seizures

Refer to OT for
driving assessment

6 months
seizure-free

12 months
seizure-free

MEDICAL
CLEARANCE GIVEN
FIT TO DRIVE

Fit to Drive
(OT assessed)

MEDICAL
CLEARANCE GIVEN
FIT TO DRIVE

MEDICAL
CLEARANCE GIVEN
FIT TO DRIVE

MEDICAL
CLEARANCE GIVEN
FIT TO DRIVE

MEDICAL
CLEARANCE GIVEN
FIT TO DRIVE

Borderline deficit

Significant
deficit

Subject to ongoing
medical review

Subject to ongoing
medical review

Subject to ongoing
medical review

Subject to ongoing
medical review

Subject to ongoing
medical review

Subject to ongoing
medical review

Refer to OT for
driving assessment

NO DRIVING

Borderline deficit

Significant deficit

NO DRIVING

Deficit resolved
after 3 months

Deficit persists
after 3 months

Fit to Drive
(OT assessed)

Subject to ongoing
medical review