Respiratory & Sleep Disorders & Driving Safety
Overview
Conditions like COPD, asthma, sleep apnoea, or narcolepsy can affect oxygen levels and cause excessive daytime drowsiness — significantly increasing road risk.
RSA guidelines state that untreated sleep disorders or respiratory failure must be disclosed to the NDLS, and driving should cease until the condition is managed.
At DAI, we assess how well-managed your condition is in practice — measuring your alertness, focus, and reaction time behind the wheel.
This assessment is a key step in returning to driving safely and legally. For further information please follow the below links.
How it Affects Driving
Respiratory and sleep disorders
affect driving through excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue
microsleeps at the wheel
microsleeps at the wheel
impaired concentration and reaction
time
the effects of oxygen
desaturation on cognitive function
The Assessment Process
Clinical Review
A detailed analysis of your medical history, current medications, and condition-specific concerns with our specialist assessor.
On-Road Assessment
Complete a practical driving session in a dual-controlled vehicle, evaluating real-world performance under clinical supervision.
Report & Recommendations
Receive a comprehensive written clinical report with evidence-based recommendations, forwarded to your referring HCP within 5–7 days.