In March 2015, new regulations came into force in England and Wales whereby it is an offence to drive with a specific controlled drug in the body above that drug’s accepted limit. Eight prescription drugs/drug groups, and eight illicit drugs, were added to the list at that time. Regulations on amphetamine came into force in April 2015.
The total of nine prescription drugs is as follows, some of which, such as diazepam and opioids, are commonly prescribed to patients with musculoskeletal conditions:
- amphetamine, eg dexamphetamine or selegiline
- clonazepam
- diazepam
- flunitrazepam
- lorazepam
- methadone
- morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, eg codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
- oxazepam
- temazepam
Patients must speak to their doctor before driving whilst taking any of the above drugs. Individuals can drive after taking these drugs if they’ve been prescribed them and followed advice on how to take them by a healthcare professional, and they aren’t causing them to be unfit to drive, even if the level of the drug is above the specified limits.
Further information for healthcare professions is available here.