[Psychiatric disorders and fitness to drive an automobile. An overview].

The revised version of the guidelines for driving ability and the new driving license decree in Germany are outlined regarding forensic implications, general rules, and guidelines for psychiatric illness. Patients suffering from acute organic psychosis, severe dementia, acute schizophrenia, mania, severe depression, and alcoholism must be seen as unable to drive cars. Regarding effects of psychotropic medication on driving performance, multiple data with healthy volunteers are available, with very few patients, however. Based on new data showing differences between older and newer antidepressants and antipsychotics, individual drug selection is strongly recommended.