Driving a car requires not only skills and knowledge of traffic rules, but also good health. The legislation of the Russian Federation clearly regulates which diseases become an obstacle to obtaining or renewing a driver’s license. This list is not a whim of officials, but a safety measure: many diagnoses can lead to a sudden loss of control over the vehicle, creating a threat to the driver, passengers and other road users.
In 2026, the list of medical contraindications to driving underwent changes - some diagnoses were excluded, while others, on the contrary, were added based on new research. For example, mental disorders and musculoskeletal conditions that may previously have been overlooked are now assessed more rigorously. It is important to understand that even temporary conditions (for example, after surgery) may become grounds for refusal to issue a license.
In this article, we will analyze the current list of diseases for which driving is prohibited, explain the nuances of passing a medical examination and tell you what to do if you have been diagnosed with a diagnosis from the “black list”. We will pay special attention categories of vehicles — requirements for truck drivers (category C) and buses (category D) stricter than for passenger cars (category B).
Official list of diseases: what the law says
The main document regulating medical contraindications for drivers is Order of the Russian Ministry of Health No. 344n dated June 15, 2015 (as amended in 2026). It lists diseases in which driving a vehicle strictly prohibited or is allowed only if certain conditions are met (for example, with the installation of special equipment).
All contraindications are divided into three groups:
- 🚫 Absolute — a complete ban on driving any vehicle (for example, epilepsy with frequent seizures).
- ⚠️ Relative — a ban on driving certain categories (for example, color blindness does not allow you to drive a category of vehicle C and D).
- ⏳ Temporary — the restriction is valid until recovery (for example, after a stroke or a broken leg).
Important: the list is not exhaustive. Medical board doctors have the right to refuse to issue a certificate if they consider that your health condition threatens safety on the road - even if the diagnosis is not on the official list. For example, chronic insomnia or sleep apnea syndrome may become the basis for additional examinations.
Nervous system diseases and mental disorders
This group of diagnoses ranks first on the list of contraindications. The fact is that many neurological and mental diseases manifest themselves sudden attacks, which are impossible to predict. For example, with epilepsy, a driver may lose consciousness while driving, and with schizophrenia, they may experience hallucinations leading to an accident.
Absolute contraindications include:
- 🧠 Epilepsy (even if attacks occur less than once a year).
- 😵 Narcolepsy (uncontrollable sleep attacks).
- 🤪 Schizophrenia and other psychoses (including severe bipolar affective disorder).
- 🧩 Mental retardation (with IQ below 70).
- 💊 Substance addiction (alcoholism, drug addiction), if the patient has not completed a course of treatment and rehabilitation.
Relative contraindications (prohibition on categories C, D, Tm, Tb):
- 😴 Sleep apnea syndrome (confirmation of successful treatment with CPAP therapy is required).
- 🤯 Chronic headaches (migraines), if they are accompanied by loss of orientation.
- 🧠 Consequences of TBI (traumatic brain injury) - temporary ban until full recovery.
⚠️ Attention: If you accept antidepressants, neuroleptics or antiepileptic drugs, be sure to warn the doctor about this at the medical examination. Some medications cause drowsiness or slow down the reaction, which automatically becomes a contraindication.
What to do if you have epilepsy, but haven’t had seizures for a long time?
If epilepsy is in remission (no seizures for more than 3 years) and this is confirmed by EEG, you can submit documents to a special commission. In some cases, you are allowed to drive cars of the category B, but with a mandatory annual examination by a neurologist.
Vision problems: when not to drive
Visual acuity is one of the key parameters checked during the medical examination. For categories A, B, M and subcategories A1, B1 driving a vehicle with visual acuity is allowed not lower than 0.6 in the better eye and not less than 0.2 at worst (with correction with glasses or lenses). For categories C, D, Tm, Tb stricter requirements: 0,8/0,4 accordingly.
Absolute contraindications for vision:
- 👓 Blindness in one eye (if visual acuity is below 0.05).
- 🌈 Colorblindness (inability to distinguish between red and green colors) - a ban on all categories except A and M.
- 👁️ Glaucoma in the terminal stage (narrowing of the visual field by more than 20°).
- 🔍 Diplopia (double vision) if it is not corrected with glasses.
Time limits:
- ⏳ After laser vision correction (LASIK, PRK) - driving ban for 1 month.
- ⏳ After cataract surgery - until complete recovery (usually 2-3 months).
| Vehicle category | Minimum visual acuity (corrected) | Acceptable narrowing of the field of view |
|---|---|---|
| A, M, A1, B1 | 0,6 / 0,2 | No more than 20° |
| B, BE | 0,6 / 0,2 | No more than 20° |
| C, CE, D, DE, Tm, Tb | 0,8 / 0,4 | No more than 20° |
| For color blindness | Any | Ban on C, D, Tm, Tb |
⚠️ Attention: If you are wearing contact lenses, take a spare pair and a container with solution with you to the medical examination. Your doctor may ask you to remove your lenses to test your vision without correction.
Cardiovascular diseases: risks while driving
Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels often cause sudden loss of consciousness or a sharp deterioration in health. For example, myocardial infarction or stroke can happen right behind the wheel, which almost always leads to a serious accident. Therefore, drivers with such diagnoses undergo a more thorough examination.
Absolute contraindications:
- ❤️ Coronary heart disease (IHD) with frequent attacks of angina pectoris.
- 🩺 Heart failure III–IV functional class (according to NYHA).
- 🩹 Aortic aneurysm or large vessels.
- 💉 Hypertension III degree (BP above 180/110 mmHg).
Time limits:
- ⏳ After myocardial infarction — driving ban for 3 months (in the absence of complications).
- ⏳ After heart surgery (bypass surgery, stenting) - up to 6 months.
- ⏳ When atrial fibrillation — until the condition stabilizes (a cardiologist’s opinion is required).
Particular attention is paid to drivers taking anticoagulants (for example, Warfarin). These drugs increase the risk of bleeding from trauma, so additional testing for blood clotting may be required.
If you have hypertension, measure your blood pressure before every trip. Values above 160/100 mm Hg. Art. - a reason to postpone the trip or take medications prescribed by the doctor.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Problems with the musculoskeletal system can interfere with driving, especially when it comes to cargo vehicles or buses. For example, arthrosis of the hip joint makes it difficult to press the pedals, and scoliosis may limit the trunk mobility necessary to control the road.
Absolute contraindications:
- 🦵 Amputation of both legs or one leg above the knee.
- 🤲 Amputation of both arms or one arm above the elbow.
- 🦴 Severe forms of arthritis or arthrosis, leading to ankylosis (complete immobility) of the joints.
Relative contraindications (the car requires special devices):
- 👣 Amputation of one leg below the knee - driving with manual control.
- 🖐️ Amputation of one arm below the elbow - management is allowed passenger cars after adaptation.
- 🦵 Joint contractures (limited mobility) - if the knee flexion angle is less than 30°.
Time limits:
- ⏳ After fracture of the femur or tibia - until complete fusion of the bone (usually 3–6 months).
- ⏳ After joint replacement — until full range of motion is restored (at least 2 months).
Ensure that the manual control is certified for use on public roads|
Check the availability of permission in the PTS for re-equipment|
Learn to drive such a car (supporting document required)|
Consult your doctor about the possibility of driving a specific model -->
Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases, which can either allow or prohibit driving, depending on the type and severity. The main danger is hypoglycemia (a sharp decrease in blood sugar), which leads to loss of consciousness. The risk is especially high for drivers who take insulin.
Rules for diabetics:
- 🩸 Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) - driving is allowed only if glucose levels are stable and there is no history of severe hypoglycemia.
- 🩸 Type 2 diabetes - usually not a contraindication unless there are complications (eg, diabetic retinopathyleading to blindness).
- 🚫 Frequent hypoglycemia (more than 2 episodes per year) - temporary ban until the condition stabilizes.
Other endocrine disorders affecting driving:
- 🦋 Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid) - may cause hand tremors and poor concentration.
- 🧪 Hypothyroidism in severe form - leads to lethargy and drowsiness.
- 💊 Taking glucocorticosteroids (for example, Prednisolone) - requires monitoring for side effects (dizziness, increased blood pressure).
⚠️ Attention: Drivers with diabetes are advised to always have a glucometer and products to quickly raise sugar (for example, juice or glucose tablets). When glucose levels are lower 3.5 mmol/l Driving is strictly prohibited.
How to pass a medical examination if you have a “problematic” diagnosis
If you have a disease on the list of contraindications, this does not always mean that it is impossible to obtain a license. In some cases, you can challenge the doctor's decision or undergo additional examinations to confirm the stability of the condition.
Algorithm of actions:
- Get a full statement from the medical record indicating the diagnosis, stage of the disease and recommendations.
- Contact a specialist (neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist) to clarify the diagnosis. Perhaps your condition has been compensated and you can drive a car.
- Get additional tests (for example, 24-hour ECG monitoring for arrhythmia or EEG with epilepsy).
- Submit documents to the medical commission in a specialized medical institution (for example, in narcological clinic, if we are talking about addiction).
- If you receive a refusal, you can appeal it through chief physician of the clinic or court.
Important: some diagnoses allow you to obtain a license marked ML (medical restrictions). For example, when leg amputation you can only drive a car with manual control. Such a note is included in the driver’s license and vehicle title.
Even if your disease is on the list of contraindications, there is still a chance to get a license - it all depends on the severity of the disease and compensation for the condition. The main thing is not to hide the diagnosis during the medical examination, otherwise the certificate will be canceled during the inspection.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about illness and driving
Can I drive a car with hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C in itself is not a contraindication to driving unless it causes severe complications (eg, liver cirrhosis with ascites or hepatic encephalopathy). However, when taking antiviral drugs (for example, Sofosbuvir) possible side effects in the form of dizziness - in this case, driving the vehicle is prohibited until the end of the course of treatment.
Will I get a license after spinal surgery?
This depends on the type of surgery and the speed of recovery. After disc herniation removal A temporary ban is valid for 3–6 months. After spinal fusion (vertebral fixation) - at least 1 year. A conclusion will be required to confirm the restoration. neurosurgeon and radiograph.
Is it possible to drive a car with HIV?
HIV infection without associated complications (eg, opportunistic infections of the central nervous system) is not a contraindication. However, when taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) it is necessary to take into account possible side effects (dizziness, nausea). The doctor may request a certificate of absence of cognitive impairment.
What should I do if I have been diagnosed with glaucoma?
With glaucoma, permission to drive depends on the stage of the disease and the preservation of the visual field. If the narrowing is less than 20° and the intraocular pressure is stable (controlled by drops), a license will be given. Otherwise, surgery will be required (eg trabeculectomy) and re-examination after 3–6 months.
Can I drive a motorcycle with one kidney?
The absence of one kidney is not a contraindication for management motorcycle (category A), if the second kidney is functioning normally. However, if the reason for deletion is severe systemic disease (for example, polycystic disease), a report may be required nephrologist.