Driving and Parkinson

[RobertoOcana]

PWP, are you still driving? What made you stop?

[Cons10s]

At 5 years I’m driving fine. I did hear that the US is or has started a national registry where Doctors are required to list their Parkinson’s patients. This list will go to the DMV, similar to the list that’s used for patients with Epilepsy. Not sure what the impact will be on driving if any, but was told this by a doctor friend. Maybe someone here has further information.

[Hidden in reply to Cons10s]

Never heard of a Parkinson's registry, but did a quick google "dmv parkinson's registry" and see California is far along in implementing it... maybe it will not be a national database, but rather on a state-by-state basis...

[reedboat2 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info

[Kevin51]

In the UK you are required to notify the UK Regulatory Body after diagnosis. You are then issued a 3yr renewable licence after it being approved by your neurologist. You also need to notify your insurer. Worked for me. I rely on my neurologist to advise; but if I (or my wife) didn't think I was safe driving I would stop immediately.

[Enidah]

I find driving difficult and uncomfortable when I have dyskinesia. I actually do better when I’m a little off my meds because I don’t have that tension and involuntary movement. I have non-tremor PD. I live in California so we’ll see what happens with that. My son set up an Uber account for me but I have a hard time getting into strangers cars. It is very counterintuitive.

[Goldencbc]

I’m still driving and have no problem.

[Hidden]

New Mexico DMV requires letter from doctor

[Joynb]

I gave up four and a half years after diagnose. I found it too hard to concentrate in complex situations. My mind would just shut down when I needed to be most alert. I made the decision for myself and decided I preferred to stop ahead of any horrible accidents.

[M1tz1]

My late husband was told to stop driving by our general practitioner. He was still driving all right but had Alzheimer's as well as Parkinson's and was getting lost. I was always there so could re-direct him but it was not long after that that the PD handicapped him badly and he would have had to stop for that reason. He was in his late seventies /early eighties.

[JohnPepper]

Yes! At the age of 84 I am perfectly capable of driving and my reflexes are still in good shape.

[Mezzomom1]

I’m 63, have had PD for 15 years, and quit driving about four months ago. My right foot gets dyskinesia at times and I’m never sure when it’ll happen. The last time I drove, I wasn’t sure I’d get home because my foot was bouncing around the pedal so much. My hubby drives me now.

[Johnboy46]

Hi RobertoOcana, I was dx 30 months ago and although I haven't been stopped by my Doctors or DVLA (UK) I have given up driving. Where we live in South London it is a blanket 20MPH limit and as I own a 1946 Ford (USA) pickup, I no longer get any enjoyment pootling about and stuck in traffic jams. I would still love to take it for long drives but in the hour before reaching open roads my stress levels would have risen and I wouldn't enjoy it. I am retired ( 9 years) so I now let my wife and her Renault Clio, bus or train drivers have the stress that would trigger my tremor.

[Hidden]

My husband, 80 yrs old & dx’d 7 yrs ago, took himself off driving but then wanted to get a new car & start driving again, at least during nice summer weather. He was tested by the rehab dept at our local hospital to see if it was safe for him to do so. Unfortunately, his cognitive & physical functions have declined so much it is no longer safe for him to drive, under any conditions. NY Dept. of Motor Vehicles hasn’t been informed, but his doctors have, so driving is definitely off-limits. He’s very down about it, because public transportation is spotty in our area, so loss of driving ability is a huge blow to his sense of independence.

[guy1947]

I was diagnosed three years ago,I have the kind PD that don't have tremors but I quit driving about 5 months ago.i noticed my reflexes were getting slower. I miss driving a lot, sure takes away a lot of your indepence.

[RobertoOcana]

Thanks you all for your replies. Concerning the law & penalties is a different interesting subject.

I'm 84, Dx at 77, no tremors, decréase cognitive, and still do slow driving (no night) 15-20 mph, if I have to drive highway I drive far right at 30-40. Long drives I rent a driver.

God is my co-pilot.

[ion_ion]

Diagnosed close to 3 years and have no problem driving. Actually driving is reducing my symptoms as my focus goes from PD to driving. I noticed that my tremor stops when my focus goes away and forget about PD.

[SELFMeder]

Yep! My Beamer and 911 both have stick shift. Don’t want to overlook any opptys for neoplasticity to kick in!

[SELFMeder]

Should add that I am 75 and was dx 5+ years ago.

I have been blessed by having come across John Pepper’s book, Reversing Parkinson’s, and web site of the same name shortly after my dx. THX JOHN!!

[Rlp1]

I am still driving. Suspected Parkinson’s in 2012 and diagnosed in 2014.