Driving and using private cars are important parts of life for many people. If MS affects your ability to drive, there is help available.
Our report, Life changing: Getting around with MS, looks at the barriers to transport for people with MS. It looks at private cars, parking and what can be done to make independent travel more feasible for people affected by MS.
If you have a driving licence, you must tell the licensing agency that you have been diagnosed with MS as it is a 'notifiable' condition.
The DVLA or DVA will send a questionnaire to assess any impact of MS on your driving performance, and may need to contact your doctor about your condition. If there is no medical reason to prevent driving, you will be allowed to keep your licence. Your licence may be changed to a short-term medical driving licence which will need to be renewed every three to five years.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been delays to the licence renewal service which may extend beyond a year. The DVLA have published guidance on whether you can drive while you are waiting to hear from the DVLA (PDF, 395KB). If you can apply online rather than on paper, you might find that quicker. In general, so long as your ability to drive has not changed, you may continue to drive for up to one year after the DVLA have received your application.
If you need to drive medium-sized vehicles such as minibuses (category C1 and D1) let the DVLA or DVA know this straight away. This is because category C1 and D1 vehicles are not automatically added to medical driving licences and there may be a delay before these vehicle types are added back on to your licence.
You should also inform the licensing agency if the impact of your MS gets worse. If you've stopped driving and given up your licence because of your MS and your symptoms improve, to the point where you can start driving again, you can contact the DVLA or DVA and ask to have your licence reinstated.
A driving assessment is an opportunity to monitor how you MS affects your ability to drive, and find solutions that can keep you driving for longer. You may be asked to arrange a driving assessment as part of your licence renewal, but you can also arrange one for yourself if you wish.
Your driving assessor can make suggestions for adaptations to your car or driving strategies that help you with discomfort, pain or problems with your memory. They will be thinking about public safety but also your comfort and convenience.
If you need adaptations to the controls of your car, the law requires that you inform the DVLA about this. Your driving license will need to be updated with the codes specific to the type of adaptations you have installed. You may also want or need advice or driving lessons in using any new controls as some types of controls require passing specific driving tests.
Previously known as the Forum of Mobility Centres, Driving Mobility is a network of independent organisations who offer information, advice and assessment to individuals who have a medical condition that which may affect the ability to drive or use a motor vehicle. The centres are listed in our map of MS services.
In this podcast, two specialists from Driving Mobility discuss how they help people with MS to remain independent drivers.
You will also need to tell your car insurance provider about your MS diagnosis, as it will be a requirement in the terms and conditions of your policy. You may wish to shop around for a good deal, as different insurance providers may vary in how they treat people with long term conditions like MS.
We have further information in our page about getting insurance when you have MS.
Some medications you take for MS may impair your ability to drive. It is illegal to drive if you are unfit to do so because of legal or illegal drugs. These include cannabis, amphetamines, and various medicines derived from opioids, even if you have a prescription for them. There is a full list of prescription medicines on GOV.UK for driving and the law.
You should talk to your doctor if you are unsure whether your medications might impair your driving. You may need to take your medications in a different way to allow you to continue to drive.
If you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you can apply for free vehicle tax. If you get the standard rate mobility component of PIP you can apply for a 50% reduction in vehicle tax.
The Blue Badge scheme provides parking benefits for people with a disability who travel either as a driver or a passenger. The scheme is administered by local councils and the benefits offered can vary. Be aware that your Blue Badge may not give you the same benefits in different areas of the UK.
More on the Blue Badge scheme on GOV.UK
Motability is a national UK charity that helps people in receipt of the higher rate Mobility Component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or PIP (Personal Independence Payment) to lease an adapted vehicle.
In this podcast, Ross Smith explains what Motability can offer and how to apply. There is a transcript available at this link if you prefer to read the information.
Rica: Information on choosing or adapting a car from a charity providing consumer research and information for people with a disability.
