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AS Driving Safety — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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EasySpondyloarthropathyAS Driving SafetySCE Rheumatology

A 60-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis has markedly restricted cervical rotation and reports difficulty checking his blind spots when changing lanes. Which is the most appropriate advice regarding driving?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Notify DVLA because safe driving is affected, and consider vehicle adaptations or a driving assessment

Restricted cervical rotation can impair observation during manoeuvres, particularly blind-spot checks. Because this patient reports that ankylosing spondylitis is affecting his ability to drive safely, he must notify DVLA. This does not automatically make driving permanently impossible: DVLA guidance recognises that people with spinal disabilities, including ankylosing spondylitis, may remain able to drive with suitable adaptations, and a specialist driving assessment can provide practical advice. Visual acuity alone is insufficient because safe driving also requires adequate physical function and observation. Restricted movement does not improve safety, and taking no action would disregard both the functional risk and the notification requirement.

Reference: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Ankylosing spondylitis and driving; and Assessing fitness to drive, Appendix G: Disabilities and vehicle adaptations. Updated 2025–2026. https://www.gov.uk/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving