Parkinson's disease and the ability to drive

Criteria for assessment of the ability to drive in Germany are based on gui delines published by the Gemeinsamer Beirat fur Verkehrsmedizin and incorpo rated into the legislation. Decisions relating to the ability to drive must always be taken on an individual basis. In parkinsonian patients the abili ty to drive is very often impaired by motor symptoms, psychiatric complicat ions, multimorbidity, increased daytime sleepiness and especially by cognit ive disturbances. Increased daytime, tiredness is common in Parkinson's dis ease with additional sedative effects of all dopaminergic agents (e. g., pr amipexole, ropinirole). Unwanted falling asleep (e. g., at the wheel) can b e avoided if notice is taken of the early signs of tiredness. A recommendat ion is included how to advise patients with Parkinson's disease treated wit h a dopamine agonist regarding the ability to drive.