Assessing fitness to drive: part 2.

BACKGROUND

The requirement for general practitioners to write reports about their patients' fitness to drive will increase as the population ages and licensing criteria change. It is important that GPs understand the medical and legal issues involved in this important area of public health.

OBJECTIVE

This is the second of a two part article discussing the guidelines for fitness to drive in Australia and how they are applied to specific medical conditions.

DISCUSSION

Visual functioning, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, acute medical illnesses and chronic disorders, and driving with disabilities are discussed. Information on exceptions from wearing seatbelts and cycle helmets is provided as well as a discussion on disability assessment for privileged parking.