Driving and Cancer
It is legal for most people with cancer to drive however it is important that you check this with your doctor or specialist nurse as treatments, the cancer itself and the drugs you are prescribed can all affect you ability to drive.
You may find that even if you are allowed to drive you are too tired to drive yourself home after appointments or treatments.
It is important to check your insurance policy as it may not be valid if you fail to tell the insurer of changes in your health or about treatments you are having.
There are some conditions that you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of as they require you to give up your licence either temporarily or permanently.
Conditions that you must legally report include: being diagnosed with a brain tumour or brain secondaries (metastases) having a fit, undergoing treatments or experiencing a weakness that affects your daily activities and taking medication which may affect your ability to drive safely.
You can find out more about driving and cancer from the links below and by contacting your hospital doctor or specialist nurse.
Link:Brain tumours and driving
Produced by:CancerHelp UK
This page tells you about driving after you have had a brain tumour. There is information on: DVLA guidelines about driving and brain tumours. The guidelines include specific information about the following:Fits,Benign tumours,Pituitary tumours, Gliomas, Primitive, neuroendocrine tumours (PNET)and if you had a brain tumour as a child.
Link:Medical rules for drivers
Produced by:Direct.Gov
Find out more about the medical rules for drivers: what conditions and treatments you should report and how to report them.
Link:Motor insurance
Produced by:CancerHelp UK
This page tells you about your right to drive, and about the implications having cancer has on your driving licence and your motor insurance. There is information about: Cancer and driving,The DVLA and drivers' health, How to contact the DVLA about your health.
Page last edited: 24 October 2011
