Driving after a stroke

Can I drive after a stroke?

You must stop driving for at least one month after you've had a stroke. You might be able to drive after that, but it depends on a number of factors.

Most drivers can get back on the road just one month after a transient-ischaemic attack (TIA), which is known as a 'mini-stroke’. But if you have more than one mini-stroke in succession, you can’t drive until you’ve been clear of attacks for three months.

If you have had a more serious stroke, or you drive buses, taxis or lorries, different rules apply. You may have to get the all-clear from your doctor before you can drive again, and you might not be allowed to drive again.

Giving up driving for most people means losing their independence and freedom, which is highly frustrating, but there are good reasons for the rules.

Going back to driving can be dangerous. Strokes can have temporary or permanent effects on your ability to drive safely, including:

• Physical effects, such as weakness in arms, legs or both, sensation changes, pain and balance problems

• Visual issues, such as double or blurred vision, loss of central vision or visual field loss (loss of an area of vision, often on the same side as weakness in your face, arms or legs)

• Cognitive effects that may reduce your ability to concentrate, navigate, multi-task and understand driving situations. There may be problems with your memory and your perception of time and space

• Fatigue

• Epilepsy. Some people develop epilepsy after a stroke, which affects their ability to drive.

Your ability to go back to driving depends on your medical condition. Your doctor should assess your ability to drive safely and explain the current DVLA guidelines.

Your doctor may contact other professionals or the DVLA’s medical advisers for advice.

How long after a stroke can I drive?

The rules on how soon you can drive after a stroke vary according to the type of stroke and the type of licence you hold.

Ischaemic stroke or transient-ischaemic attack

Car or motorcycle licence

You cannot drive for one month after an ischaemic stroke or a single TIA. During this month you do not need to inform the DVLA.

If a doctor judges that you have any remaining cognitive or visual issues after a month you are likely to have to wait longer. If you have only limb weakness you might be allowed to restart driving.

If you have a series of TIAs over a short period, you cannot drive until you have been free of them for three months.

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or public service vehicle (PSV) licence

You cannot drive these types of vehicles for a year and must tell the DVLA immediately.

Taxi drivers

You must inform your local authority (or in London the Public Carriage Office), which will decide on the medical standards you must meet before returning to driving.

Drivers of police cars and ambulances

Special rules apply to drivers of these vehicles.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage stroke

Car or motorcycle licence

You must not drive until certified safe by a doctor, but you do not need to tell the DVLA.

If you have surgery for intracranial aneurysm, you cannot drive for at least six months.

HGV or PSV licence

You cannot drive for at least six months, and the period you have to stay off the road will depend on the location of the haemorrhage and type of treatment.

You must inform the DVLA.

Intracranial haemorrhage due to infratentorial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)

Car or motorcycle licence

You can continue driving and you don’t need to notify the DVLA or the DVA as long as you have no symptoms that may affect your driving.

HGV or PSV licence

You must notify the DVLA and your licence will be revoked. If the condition is untreated, your licence will be revoked permanently.

If treatment removes the AVM and you have no symptoms that could impair your driving you might be able to drive again.

Do I have to tell the DVLA if I’ve had a stroke?

Not everyone has to notify the DVLA. Many car and motorcycle owners don't need to.

But it's your responsibility (not that of your doctor) to tell the DVLA about any medical issue that impacts your ability to drive safely. You can report your stroke to the DVLA online.

You must notify the DVLA as soon as possible if:

• You have experienced multiple TIAs over a short period of time

• Your condition worsens at any time

• You have experienced any form of epileptic seizure, other than ones within the first 24 hours following your stroke

• Your stroke treatment included brain surgery

• You have experienced more than one stroke in the past three months

• Your doctor expresses concern about your fitness to drive

• You are a Group 2 driver (lorries and buses).

If you are in the group that doesn’t have to notify the DVLA for a month, you must notify the DVLA after a month if you have any ongoing effects. If your doctor says you cannot drive for more than three months you will need to surrender your licence to the DVLA.

The Stroke Association has a useful downloadable guide called Driving After a Stroke.

If you’re required to tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving, you can be fined up to £1,000 if you fail to do so.

You can also be prosecuted if you have an accident and you hadn't previously declared a condition.

What happens to my car insurance costs if I’ve had a stroke?

Having a stroke might not affect your premiums, unless you need to drive an adapted vehicle.

It is illegal for a car insurance provider to charge extra because of a disability or a medical condition unless they can prove a specific reason why they should charge you more.

But you must tell your insurance company about your stroke or TIA before you resume driving, even if your doctor has approved it. If you don't, you might not be covered in full for any future claim.

Once you have told your insurance provider, they might ask you to tell the DVLA about your stroke or TIA, and then ask you for confirmation that you are safe to drive again.

Talk to your insurer and check your policy as exact procedures vary.

Having had a stroke shouldn't affect your ability to buy car insurance, multi car insurance or temporary car insurance.

What if I’m declared medically unfit to drive?

You must tell your insurer and the DVLA. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.

You could be fined £1,000 and prosecuted if you do drive and have an accident.

You might be offered an assessment at a local mobility centre, after which the DVLA might decide that you can:

• keep your licence and continue driving

• be granted a temporary licence

• be given a licence, but only for a car with specific adaptations.

Alternatively, it might decide that you cannot continue to drive, and your licence will be revoked.

Will I have to take a driving assessment?

Assessments and courses can help you return to driving after a stroke.

The charity Driving Mobility offers courses at 20 locations across the UK, where people who have had strokes, those who are disabled or elderly motorists can get assessments, lessons and help with getting back behind the wheel safely.

"About 50% of people who have strokes can consider returning to driving. Many think they are ready before they are, but when people do return and are ready to undertake one of our assessments, about 60% of those are judged to be safe," says Driving Mobility chief executive Edward Trewhella.

Assessments are free at most centres if referred through the NHS, a GP, the DVLA or the DVA, or Motability. If you self-refer, it might cost you up to £140.

Tuition costs £30 an hour or more, depending on location.

Help with tuition costs can be available if you qualify for the Motability scheme, and local charities sometimes support the cost of tuition for people with a disability.

Case study