Irish Vehicle drivers with the following medical conditions may face licence removal under new Irish regulations.
Drivers across Ireland have been warned of at least five medical conditions that could cause their driving licences to be revoked under new rules.
It is a requirement that thousands of motorists across Ireland must submit what’s called a Medical Form to the National Driver Licence Services every year, if they have any long-term injury or an illness that may affect their ability to drive in complete safety.
Failure to submit this required form, could place drivers at risk of fines, driving bans, or legal action by the Irish authorities. The Road Safety Authority has a comprehensive list of medical conditions, as well as treatments being received, that may affect a drivers ability to hold a driver’s licence.
Hereunder, are five of the major conditions that could cause your licence to be revoked if you do not report them to the authorities:
- Epilepsy and Sudden Blackouts.
- Heart Conditions (Including Arrhythmia and Heart Attacks).
- Severe Vision Impairment.
- Diabetes with Severe Hypoglycaemia (Low blood sugar).
- Neurological Disorders (Including Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease).
Conditions like Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or Motor Neurone Disease (MND) can also significantly impair reaction time, coordination, and cognitive function, making it absolutely vital that drivers submit a medical form to the NDLS.
The conditions that require motorists to submit a medical report can be found hereunder:
- Diabetes treated by insulin and or sulphonylurea tablets (your doctor can advise whether you are on these or not) no need to tell us if managed by other tablets and or diet.
- Epilepsy.
- Stroke or TIAs (minor strokes) with any associated symptoms lasting longer than one month.
- Fits or blackouts.
- Any type of brain surgery, brain abscess or severe head Injury involving in-patient treatment or a brain tumour or spinal injury or spinal tumour.
- An implanted cardiac pacemaker.
- An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
- Repeated attacks of sudden disabling dizziness.
- Any other chronic neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, or Huntington’s disease.
- A serious problem with memory or periods of confusion.
- Persistent alcohol misuse or dependency.
- Persistent drug misuse or dependency.
- Serious psychiatric illness or mental health problems.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Sleep Apnoea syndrome.
- Narcolepsy.
- Any condition affecting your peripheral vision.
- Total loss of sight in one eye
- Any condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye if the driver only has one eye (Not including colour blindness or short or long sight).
- A serious hearing deficiency.
- Severe learning disability.
- Any persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an automatic vehicle.
- Any persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an adapted vehicle.
How to Check if you may be at risk.
- Consult Your Doctor – If you have any of the conditions listed above or suspect a medical issue affecting your driving, seek medical advice immediately.
- Check the RSA Guidelines – The RSA provides a full list of reportable conditions on their website.
- Take an Eye Test – If you’re unsure about your vision, book an eye test to ensure you meet all legal requirements.
George. What about visitors to Ireland. Does this NDLS apply to them. There is some of these rules here in Australia but not as much. I am still trying to find out about some ID to enter Ireland from England. Thank you George for this information.