Driving is an important source of independence. It can give us a sense of control over our day-to-day routine and help us to stay socially connected. One of the most common questions people ask after a dementia diagnosis is whether they can still drive.

A diagnosis of dementia does not mean your license will be automatically taken away from you. However, legally, you must contact the following organisations as soon as possible:

• the DVLA
• your car insurer.

You can get in touch with the DVLA (Great Britain) at 0300 790 6806, or the DVA (Northern Ireland at 0300 200 7861. Your doctor may also let the DVLA know about your diagnosis.

You can choose to give up your driving license voluntarily. If you would like to keep driving, the DVLA will ask you to fill in a form. This allows them to get in touch with your doctor to ask how your symptoms are affecting you. You may be asked to take a supervised driving test.

Based on this information, the DVLA will decide whether it’s safe for you to drive. They may:

• allow you to continue driving
• ask for regular reviews based on updates from your doctor
• stop your licence.

They will confirm their decision in writing.

• Car insurance: if you choose to continue driving, your insurer may increase your premium. You should discuss this with your provider when you tell them about your diagnosis.
• Life insurance: policies taken out before diagnosis should remain valid and will still be paid out. You are unlikely to be able to take out a new policy after a diagnosis. You can discuss more details with your insurance provider.
• Health insurance: health insurance usually does not cover treatments for dementia, as these focus on managing symptoms rather than curing the condition. However, your insurance might cover the cost of getting a private diagnosis. You can discuss this with your provider.
• Travel insurance: some agencies may not cover people living with dementia. Tourism For All can help you find inclusive providers.

People affected by dementia may be eligible for benefits. This is because having dementia may mean a person or their loved one has to stop working, or that there are added costs of living. This might include covering care costs.

A care needs assessment or carers assessment can help identify what financial support you may be entitled to.

For more information about benefits and dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Advisors or Alzheimer Scotland.

After a diagnosis, it can help to talk about the future as early as possible.

People with dementia will eventually lose the ability to make decisions by themselves. Planning ahead helps make sure their wishes are known and respected.

You may also wish to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This allows a designated person to make decisions on someone else’s behalf, if they cannot make it themselves.

There are two types:

• financial
• health and welfare.

If you do not have an LPA in place, decisions about your care or finances may be made by others without clear guidance from your wishes.

For more information on legal and financial plans, request our free “Planning for the future” pack.

If you drive, you are legally required to tell the DVLA/DVA and driving insurer about your diagnosis.

But you do not need to tell other people in your life unless you choose to.

Some people prefer to keep their diagnosis private at first. Others choose to tell family or friends so they can get support. There is no single correct approach.

Telling someone you trust can be helpful. They can support you, and it means someone knows what to do in an emergency.

If you are working, you may not have to tell your employer. However, in some roles, such as those involving safety, you may need to. Check your workplace policies if you are unsure.

If you would like to talk through your rights or options at work, you can contact ACAS. They offer free, confidential advice.