I can't say what's right for you. My husband stopped driving when I kept pointing out that he was drifting out of his lane, driving at erratic speeds (too slow or too fast), and not thinking clearly in terms of hazards ahead or to the side. There were a lot of sudden stops because he wasn't reacting smoothly. After about a year of that, he handed over the keys. He had a couple of accidents as well, one small and one that totaled the car, but that wasn't enough initially to cause him to stop driving since Parkinson's wasn't the obvious cause of the accidents.
October 21
Hi Jerred.
To be honest with you Jerred if your
Neurologist has told you
not to drive well then you can't drive .It would be very dangerous what if you had an accident and if you Hurt someone
What you have to do is have a chat with your Neurologist and see what he says .
Hope that helps Jerred
All the best
Therese Byrne ☘️ 🇮🇪
October 21
Wanting to get back behind the wheel is completely understandable — independence matters! The good news is that stopping driving doesn't have to be permanent, and there are structured ways to assess whether it's safe to start again.
The most recommended step is to request a formal on-road evaluation with a Driver Show Full Answer
Wanting to get back behind the wheel is completely understandable — independence matters! The good news is that stopping driving doesn't have to be permanent, and there are structured ways to assess whether it's safe to start again.
The most recommended step is to request a formal on-road evaluation with a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS), who is typically an occupational therapist. This type of assessment looks at your current abilities and can:
- Identify any driving challenges related to your symptoms
- Suggest vehicle adaptations that could help you drive more safely
- Give you a clear picture of whether returning to driving is realistic
As a MyParkinsonsTeam member shared, an occupational therapist referred them to a driver testing facility, and importantly, the results are not automatically reported to the DMV — so you stay in control of the decision. Before pursuing an evaluation, it's worth having an open conversation with your neurologist about what has changed since you stopped driving. Key things to consider include:
- Whether tremors, slowness of movement, or dizziness have improved or stabilized
- Whether any medications you take cause drowsiness or sleep attacks
- Whether your vision or cognitive function has been affected
Your neurologist can provide a referral to a DRS and help guide the decision based on your current symptom picture. It's also worth checking your state's DMV requirements, as rules around driving with Parkinson's can vary by state.
AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to
diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.
Can You Drive With Parkinson’s Disease?
October 20
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