Does a chronic illness mean you can’t drive in the UAE? Doctors say the diagnosis alone isn’t enough

Abu Dhabi: Doctors confirmed that a diagnosis of illness alone is not enough to determine lack of fitness to drive, explaining that the medical assessment should be based on the stability of the health condition and the efficiency of the driver's cognitive and motor functions, and the extent of his ability to drive safely, and not on the name of the disease or advanced age. They stressed that having chronic diseases does not necessarily mean an absolute or permanent ban from driving, but rather requires an individual assessment that balances the patient's right to mobility and the safety of road users. They explained that conditions such as epilepsy, strokes, dementia, severe sleep disorders, and the effects of certain medications may necessitate permitting driving under certain conditions and restrictions, or imposing a temporary or permanent ban, depending on the individual's condition and the established medical criteria. They emphasised that the physician's role is to assess and recommend, while the licensing authority makes the final decision, ensuring medical confidentiality, non-discrimination, and consideration of the impact on the livelihoods of professional drivers. Disclosure of illness Doctors warned that linking the disclosure of the disease to the automatic withdrawal of the licence may push patients to hide symptoms and avoid treatment, stressing that the success of the system is measured by the prevention of risks and the enhancement of trust, not by the number of licences withdrawn. The new executive regulations of the Federal Traffic Law set controls for granting and renewing driving licences, and coordination procedures for monitoring health conditions affecting driving, with special provisions for people with disabilities. Article 56 stipulates that proof of health fitness must be provided by a medical report approved by the competent health authorities in the country, and accepted by the licensing authority, proving the soundness of the body, eyesight, and mind, and the absence of diseases or disabilities that directly affect the ability to drive the vehicle safely, or impede this ability. Fitness requirement The article exempted persons with disabilities from the aforementioned fitness requirement, stipulating that the relevant provisions would apply to them. It also mandated that health authorities coordinate with the licensing authority to provide information on individuals suffering from illnesses that affect their ability to drive. Furthermore, it authorised the licensing authority, after consulting with medical authorities, to propose additional examination criteria, subject to approval by the Federal Traffic Council. According to statistics from the Ministry of Interior, the country's roads have witnessed accidents in recent years related to drivers losing control of their vehicles due to chronic illnesses, extreme fatigue, or drowsiness. Proactive prevention Public health and community medicine specialist, Dr. Saif Darwish. Picture credit: Supplied Public health and community medicine specialist, Dr. Saif Darwish, confirmed that the new approach represents a shift from dealing with accidents after they occur to proactive prevention of health risks, including epilepsy, heart disorders, severe hypoglycaemia, and sleep disorders, which may cause loss of consciousness or impaired vehicle control. He explained that having the disease does not necessarily mean being unfit to drive, as a patient who is committed to treatment and is in stable health is different from someone who is exposed to sudden attacks. The fitness requirements also differ between private vehicles, buses and trucks. He pointed out that this approach is applied in Britain, Australia and Canada, and that there are medical standards for assessing the eligibility of drivers in Dubai. He pointed to questions that deserve clarification to ensure the success of the application, including identifying the diseases that warrant prohibition, adopting unified and updated standards, determining the authority of the unfitness report between the treating physician and the specialised committee, the limits of sharing medical information, and the mechanisms for objection, re-evaluation, and restoring the licence after improvement. Medical confidentiality He emphasised the importance of ensuring individual assessments and medical confidentiality, non-discrimination against those with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and people with disabilities, and consideration for the living conditions of professional drivers. He warned that the fear of automatic licence revocation might lead patients to conceal their symptoms and avoid doctors, thus increasing the risk to themselves and the community. He affirmed that the goal is to guarantee the driver's health fitness, and that success is measured by the risks and accidents prevented, while simultaneously protecting patients' rights and enhancing their trust in the healthcare system. Absolu