25th June 2023

A 76-year-old man was admitted having been found with his bedroom in a state while being extremely agitated and confused at home

A 76-year-old man was admitted having been found with his bedroom in a state while being extremely agitated and confused at home. He was last well and calm last night when his daughter visited him the night before. Paramedics struggled to get him in the ambulance, as he was so agitated, so he was sedated with IM lorazepam. His past medical history included hypertension, chronic kidney disease, recently diagnosed mild dementia and a left middle cerebral artery infarct 2 months ago (causing some residual right-sided weakness and mild dysarthria). He usually mobilised with a walking stick and managed activities of daily living independently. He still drives to the shops and has a normal (Group 1) driving licence. He had been admitted with a ‘vacant episode’ a month ago with no cause found. On examination, he was confused, and he had 4/5 weakness on the right.

Considering the likely underlying diagnosis, according to the DVLA, how long must he wait before he can drive by Law in the UK?