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Many people with Parkinson’s disease worry about how their diagnosis might affect their ability to drive. Their loved ones often share this concern. Symptoms such as slowed reaction time, drowsiness, and muscle tremors can all impair a person’s ability to drive and increase the risk of dangerous accidents.
Deciding whether to drive with Parkinson’s requires considering many factors, including how severe your symptoms are, how comfortable you are with driving, and the advice of your family, friends, and healthcare team.
Here’s more on driving and Parkinson’s, including how the condition affects driving abilities, when to discuss driving with a loved one who has Parkinson’s, and how to make the right decision for yourself and those you care about.
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Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, meaning it causes a loss of neurons in the central nervous system and gets worse over time. Motor symptoms, visual problems, and cognitive impairment can make driving difficult or unsafe. Even in the early stages of Parkinson’s, driving safety can be affected.
Parkinson’s frequently causes tremors (involuntary shaking) in the hands and legs, among other body parts. MyParkinsonsTeam members have shared how tremors can make their driving unsafe. “I have tremors in my right hand and foot. Sometimes, my foot goes tap-tapping on the accelerator or the brake pads,” a member wrote.
Dizziness and vertigo (sensations of spinning or whirling) are common Parkinson’s symptoms that can be related to problems with balance and can make driving difficult. One MyParkinsonsTeam member shared, “My wife had to drive me to a doctor’s appointment because of the dizziness.”
Bradykinesia is a common symptom of Parkinson’s that refers to slowed movement. Slowed reaction time can be dangerous for driving, which sometimes requires quick reactions and decisions.
Some medication side effects can cause drowsiness or sleepiness. Dopamine agonists and other dopaminergic medicines may even cause “sleep attacks,” which are sudden episodes of falling asleep often without warning.
Research has found that the dangers of drowsy driving are almost as bad as driving while intoxicated. One member wrote, “I pull over every two hours, if on a long trip, and have a nap or just rest away from the car.”
If you feel sleepy while taking medications, talk to your doctor about driving and avoid driving until the sleepiness is addressed.
People with Parkinson’s often have cognitive problems that affect thinking, memory, and the ability to carry out complex tasks. Problems with cognitive function can cause distraction or confusion while driving. Problems with seeing and understanding where objects are in space can also occur. These challenges can make it hard for a person to judge distances or depth. This can affect driving performance, such as safely changing lanes or parking a car.
In some cases, people with Parkinson’s may develop psychosis — difficulty telling what’s real and what isn’t. This can cause hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) or delusions (false beliefs). These symptoms can make driving particularly unsafe.
Parkinson’s can cause vision problems such as double vision, blurry vision, reading problems, and difficulty keeping eyes open. All of these conditions can make driving risky.
No U.S. laws ban driving solely because of a Parkinson’s diagnosis. However, laws can vary by state. Some states require doctors to report any medical condition that could affect safe driving, including Parkinson’s. Other states may require a special driving test.
Anyone who knowingly drives with impairment due to motor, visual, or cognitive problems and causes an accident could face legal consequences. It’s important to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the current rules and requirements specific to your area.
Deciding to stop driving is difficult for many people with Parkinson’s. One MyParkinsonsTeam member said, “I’m reluctant to give up driving because I want to hang on to the last bit of independence I have!”
Another member wrote, “The feeling you have over losing driving privileges is nothing compared to the feeling you would have if you were the cause of an accident that injured or killed someone else.”
Some members have changed their driving habits due to Parkinson’s. One said, “I avoid the highway and don’t drive at night.”
Another said, “I had to purchase a new vehicle because I have always driven a stick shift. Now I have an automatic.”
Along with Parkinson’s symptoms, other factors should also be taken into account, including age. Older drivers often have decreased visual acuity and slower reflexes.
A driving test can help you determine your driving ability. The Rookwood Driving Battery (RDB) is a screening tool sometimes used to evaluate factors like depth of vision and response time in people with Parkinson’s. However, it’s not used as a licensing decision by itself.
The practical standard in the U.S. is an on-road driving evaluation with a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS), who is often an occupational therapist. Ask your doctor for a referral to a DRS near you if you’re interested in this type of comprehensive assessment. The evaluation results may guide additional training, suggest vehicle adaptations to help you drive more safely, or help you decide whether it’s time to stop driving.
A MyParkinsonsTeam member said, “My occupational therapist referred me to a driver testing facility to have a test. They do not report the results to your DMV, so when you find out the results, you can decide whether or not to keep driving.”
Each individual with Parkinson’s has a different level of driving risk. Talk to your doctor, family, and friends about whether a driving evaluation or road driving test might be helpful for you. They may have noticed ways in which Parkinson’s could affect your ability to drive safely. If your driver’s license has expired, you may be required to take a driving test at your local DMV.
If you’re driving with Parkinson’s disease, it’s important to understand how your diagnosis might affect your auto insurance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) bans car insurance companies from charging higher rates solely because of a disability. However, insurance companies can legally consider real risk factors associated with your condition.
For example, if Parkinson’s symptoms affect your ability to drive safely, this could change your premiums or coverage. Also, changes made to your vehicle for accessibility may require additional policy protection.
Your insurance policy terms will specify what conditions you need to tell the company and when. When you shop for insurance, it’s best to be honest about your health. If you do not report a medical condition that affects your driving and you have an accident, your claim could be denied.
Friends and family members play an important role in deciding whether their loved one with Parkinson’s should be driving. Your parent or another aging loved one may not notice that their driving skills are declining.
If you have a loved one living with Parkinson’s, it’s important to look for signs that their driving may no longer be safe, including:
If Parkinson’s symptoms make it hard to drive safely, family members, caregivers, and friends may urge a loved one with Parkinson’s to stop driving. “My wife and kids pleaded with me to give up my keys last fall for fear of me CAUSING an accident as much as getting in one,” explained one member.
Discussing the subject can be hard, but staying safe while driving is very important. It’s important to share your concerns with your loved one and their neurologist. There may be ways to help your loved one continue driving safely for a while longer.
Fortunately, there are many options for getting around without having to drive yourself. Some alternative forms of transportation include carpooling, ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft, and public transportation.
Some local and state government agencies offer transportation services for older people, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. For example, one member shared that they leased a Motability scooter for transportation.
If you have Parkinson’s and are still driving, talk to your doctor and loved ones about the risks. It’s important to think about the benefits of giving up driving. Planning ahead can help you make a positive change.
On MyParkinsonsTeam, people share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
How has Parkinson’s affected the way you drive or get around? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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I Have A Hard Time Parking In A Designated Spot. I Can't Seem To Judge The Actual Parking Space. I Park Too Close To The Lines.
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My husband had Parkinson's for a couple years before I noticed that when driving he would lean to the right, and begin getting into the next lane. Similar to when walking, when he also leaned to the… read more
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