[Driving ability in Parkinson's disease]

Abstract

About 60 % of all patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and about 50 % of PD patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) in possession of a driving license are active car-drivers. Parkinson patients, however, often display physical and/or psychological weaknesses that can lead to loss of or reduced driving ability. Driving capability can also be affected by Parkinson medication. The attending physician is therefore obliged to advise his patients regarding their ability to be in command of a vehicle. This however can prove difficult in practice. On the one hand, there is no standardised predictive test battery to evaluate driving capability and on the other, levels of motor impairment do not correlate sufficiently with driving skills. This article will provide an overview of motor and non-motor symptoms that affect general and/or Parkinson's disease-related driving capability and which criteria demonstrate a temporary or permanent inability to drive. Furthermore, we will highlight which neuropsychological investigations are beneficial and how PD patients with DBS should be evaluated and subsequently advised regarding their driving fitness.