Driving and ALS

✓Supports this

“Driving can often continue after diagnosis, sometimes with adaptations fitted, but only for as long as it is safe; because ALS/MND is progressive, there comes a point where stopping is the right step.”

Follows the source's conditional framing. It says a diagnosis does not mean stopping immediately and driving may continue but only as long as it is safe, that vehicle modifications may in some instances allow driving to continue safely, and that ALS is progressive so driving should stop once it becomes unsafe to the person and to others.

A diagnosis of ALS does not mean you must stop driving immediately.

Can I still drive after my diagnosis?

✓Supports this

“Driving assessment is usually carried out by occupational therapists with driving expertise, or by dedicated driving assessment centres.”

Describes the same two routes. The occupational therapist at the clinic screens driving and can do more in-depth testing, and refers on to a driving rehabilitation specialist or a centre for a formal evaluation. The page itself was written with an occupational therapist who is a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.

Your OT may recommend a specific driving rehabilitation specialist or location that can perform the test.

How can I get a driving evaluation?

✓Supports this

“Driving adaptations are fitted on the basis of an assessment that works out what suits the person and keeps driving safe.”

Says plainly that adaptations should not be arranged independently. The occupational therapist refers the person to a specialist, who evaluates them, orders the right equipment and trains them to use it before it is installed.

Your OT will refer you to a specialist who can evaluate you, order the right devices, and train you to use the devices before installation.

Are there changes I can make to keep driving?

✓Supports this

“Hand controls let someone accelerate and brake with their hands when their legs and feet are affected and their arm and upper body strength is still good.”

Presents hand controls as an option for someone whose lower limbs are weak while their upper body strength is still good, which is the condition this bullet now states. It also gives a separate option, a spinner knob, for the different situation where the legs are strong and one hand is weak.

If your lower limbs are weak, but you still have good upper body strength, you may be able to control the gas and brakes with your hands using special hand controls.

Are there changes I can make to keep driving?

✓Supports this

“Being assessed does not automatically end driving; the assessment may find that driving can continue, sometimes with adaptations fitted.”

Describes both outcomes. The clinic team may confirm it is still safe to drive, and adding vehicle modifications can in some cases allow driving to continue safely.

In some instances, the addition of vehicle modifications may allow you to continue driving safely.

Are there changes I can make to keep driving?

✓Supports this

“Concern about your driving raised by the people who travel with you is worth taking seriously.”

Tells the reader directly to listen when a caregiver, family member or friend raises a concern about their driving, and gives the reason: people close to the driver judge driving safety more accurately than the driver does. The page does not name the studies it is referring to.

Studies show that loved ones have a more accurate assessment of driving safety than the drivers themselves.

Can I still drive after my diagnosis?

Further reading

When it is still safe to drive, the assessments and adaptations that can help, and how to know when to stop