[Problems in the assessment of driving capability in family practice]

More than half of the Swiss adult population possesses a valid driver's licence. To safely drive a car, certain medical demands are requested by law. Drivers of trucks, taxis and coaches and all drivers past the age of 70, must undergo a periodical medical examination. These examinations are usually performed by general practitioners. The most important legal foundations and the medical examination procedure are explained in this publication. Frequent diseases affecting the patient's driving ability such as poor vision, alcoholism, drug abuse, the early stages of dementia and other physical impairments are presented. Not to be neglected are the number of road traffic accidents resulting from medical reasons. The general practitioner is authorized to contact the authorities if he feels a patient is no longer capable of driving. For this reason, general practitioners should also be aware of the patient's driving capability other than during a periodical traffic examination. The individual's interests have to be carefully considered as opposed to that of society. The problems of general driving capability assessment performed by the general practitioner and possible procedures in case of patient's disagreement are presented.