New rules on driver licensing for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: EU Directive 2014/85/EU

The widespread recognition that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) represents an important risk factor for motor vehicle accidents (MVA), which is reversed by successful therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), has led to a revision of annex III of the European Union (EU) directive on driving licences that is subject to mandatory implementation by all member states from December 31, 2015 [1]. This directive was the result of recommendations from a working group established by the Transport and Mobility Directorate of the European Commission in 2012 [2]. The directive states [1]: