Scotland-wide NHS service which offers assessment of medical fitness to drive, including the need for driving modifications where relevant, as a result of a medical condition or disability.
All assessments are carried out at the SMART Centre, Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh.
The service is recognised by the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency), who also send referrals directly.
M.A & M.M 11-03-26
Who can refer
Referrals are accepted from NHS Doctors in any Scottish NHS Board area. ** We are now also accepting referrals from HCPC or NMC registered Professionals, but ask that the patient’s GP is copied in **.
Who to refer:
Referrals are accepted for any patient where there is a concern about medical fitness to drive and / or potential need for vehicle modifications to compensate for physical impairment, including if they are seeking advice about whether to apply for a Driving Licence as a novice, or on the appropriateness of reapplying for a licence which has been revoked on medical grounds.
Patients with any medical condition or disability can be referred, as long as there is no medical bar to holding a Driving Licence according to the DVLA guidelines. Examples of potentially de-barring issues include:
- recent seizure(s);
- poor visual acuity (i.e. inability to read a car registration plate at 20m);
- visual field defect;
- diplopia;
- clinically apparent visual inattention;
- disabling dizzy spells;
- alcohol misuse / dependence
If any potentially de-barring issues such as the above are present, we may need to contact the referrer for further clarification to ensure it is appropriate to proceed with an assessment. See link to DVLA medical guidelines under Resources and Links for further guidance.
How to refer:
Referrals should include all medical information which may be of relevance to driving.
Of particular importance are the following:
a) dates of any medical events / surgical procedures;
b) details of any physical impairment which could affect car control;
c) information about any cognitive impairment;
d) any visual impairments;
e) any significant communication difficulties;
f) any significant mobility / car transfer difficulties;
g) any other relevant information, e.g. significant emotional distress and associated behaviours (to minimise risk), or details of alternative contacts for patients who may need assistance with arranging an appointment.
- GPs should refer via SCI Gateway (NHS Lothian / Astley Ainslie Hospital / Rehabilitation Medicine / SMART- Driving Assessment)
- Hospital Doctors / AHPs / Nurses should refer by letter to Dr Lynne Hutton, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, Scottish Driving Assessment Service, SMART Centre, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh EH9 2HL. These letters can be sent either by post or, alternatively, as an e-mail attachment to:
Loth.ScottishDrivingAssessmentService@nhs.scot - The patient’s phone number should be included where possible, as our first contact is made by telephone.
