Fluctuating ability to drive

[Lovelybitofsquirrel3]

To drive legally, do you need to always, every second be in a fit state to drive. What if you have a condition that means you are able sometimes and half the time not able. As long as you don’t drive when you’re not able, that should be ok?

No, if there's a condition that can make you unfit, this will prevent you from driving at all

What medical condition are you referring to?

Like what?

No its not ok

You are legally obliged to inform to DVLA of any conditions that will impair driving

If not your insurance won't cover you and you are driving illegally

Have you been told you need to report the condition?

Not necessarily

I’m not currently driving. I was thinking about applying for some freedom and independence.
I get joint pains and have bowel issues, I wouldn’t always feel that I could drive, but would if I was having a day that I felt ok.

@madamweb there ARE certain health conditions that prevent you from driving for this very reason! I'm not saying ALL

There are definitely days when I do not feel well enough to drive. Or if I know I will get tired I don't drive.
But then anyone who feels ill or sleepy or whatever should avoid driving, whatever the cause

Yes that’s what I’m referring to as half the time I won’t feel like I can drive as I’ll be too tired or in too much pain but the other half of the time I can manage

Unless these issues have the potential to instantly incapacitate you without warning, such that you might lose control of your vehicle or be unable to perceive what’s going on around you while you safely pull over, I can’t see why they would be an issue.

But what if you felt fine when you started driving but mid journey began to experience symptoms that impaired your ability?

If you know that wouldn't happen, like if you feel good in the morning you'll feel good all day, I would think it's worth looking into at least.

The issue for safety would be if you were driving and suddenly couldn't use the break due to joint pain, for example. Would you always know in advance when it wouldn't be safe?
I found this list on the dvla site. They do say you can notify about other conditions too that aren't listed.
www.driving-medical-condition.service.gov.uk/conditions/listing

But what's your diagnosis? Joint pain and bowel issues doesn't really say a lot.

Things like an automatic car could help with joint pain (if it's in your legs or gear-stick hand.)

Exactly.
Same as a healthy person who suddenly feels sleepy/gets a headache/etc

What happens when you are on the motorway and suddenly become unfit to drive?

Wipe out the family in the car next to you; stop on the hard shoulder (if there is one) or the next services (if you can get that far) and then what?

If you have conditions that impair your ability to drive a machine that kills people, you shouldn't be behind the wheel.

Some conditions don't change suddenly like that though

This is a bit dramatic. The OP hasn't said so far that her condition has a sudden onset. Let's wait for that info before passing judgement.

I have a diagnoses of hypermobility and IBS but the GP acknowledged that the hypermobility can cause bowel issues. I get inflammation in my joints and bowels.
I wouldn’t do long journeys. I can’t walk far due to the joint pains I experience so I need to drive for my independence. It would just be for around the town so I can still get about. If I feel fine on the day then I would be able to drive for a bit, but not for a very long time or endlessly

But surely that's almost ANYONE. You can be driving along and get a sudden cramp. Or a migraine can come on, or even just a severe headache or toothache or one of those horrible stabbing muscular pains that make you stop and breathe carefully.

Almost anybody can be subjected to something painful that just arrives out of nowhere, currently Noro is doing the rounds here and you can be fine one minute and throwing up uncontrollably the next.

There have to be nuances.

I have hEDS and the gut issues that go with it. Neither of them stop me from driving. Joint pain doesn't really impact the controls in a car, unless it's a diesel, I find those clutches more hard work than a petrol.

It sounds as if you have no condition which rules out driving (IBS and hyper mobility certainly don't) so it is just a case of whether you feel up to it. Doesn't sound like a legal issue, although I am no expert.

Yes that’s what I’m trying to ask. If I have to always feel up to it to be able to drive or if I can have days that I can’t drive and choose not to

But we all have days whether we feel like driving or not OP. You're thinking too far ahead.

Get some lessons under your belt, you'll know if it's for you or not. Use imodium.