MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVING AND CARDIAC PACEMAKERS

The increasing number of patients with permanent cardiac pacemakers raises the question of whether such persons should be licensed to drive motor vehicles, or, if licensed, allowed unrestricted driving privileges. There have been no reports of a pacemaker failure that could account for a motor vehicle accident. Present knowledge reasons that each patient with a pacemaker who applies for a driving license should be evaluated by a cardiologist. The types of vehicle and driving must be considered, as many physicians do not approve patients with pacemakers driving a commercial vehicle.