Driving after a stroke

A stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) may cause damage to part of the brain and affect your ability to move, see, remember or concentrate. This may make it difficult or unsafe to drive, at least temporarily. Because of these potential effects, you must not drive after a stroke or TIA until you have been medically assessed.

For safety reasons, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has strict guidelines about who may and may not drive. Because of the potential effects of stroke or a TIA, you are not allowed to drive for at least a month after the event.

If, after that time, your doctor agrees that you are fit to drive, you may resume doing so. However, if your doctor feels that you are not yet fit to drive, you must then inform the DVLA and also your insurance company about your situation. You are still not allowed to drive.

Once the DVLA has been notified, they will send you a questionnaire to fill in and will ask permission to contact your doctor for further information about your condition, if necessary.

If you have had frequent TIAs you will be advised not to drive until you have had a three-month period free from attacks. If your doctor agrees that it is safe for you to drive after the recommended period you may do so while the DVLA is making inquiries and coming to a decision.

Making an assessment

The DVLA base their decision on the information you provide on the form and on various assessments. Your GP or consultant may be asked for a report on your condition and whether they consider you safe to drive.

If your doctor feels unable to decide whether you are fit to drive, or it is not clear from the report, you may be independently assessed by a GP on behalf of the DVLA. The DVLA will explain how this can be arranged. If, for any reason, this assessment is still inconclusive the DVLA can arrange for you to be assessed at a local accredited mobility centre near you (see page 6). If there is not a centre nearby, they can arrange for a free driving test.

The following factors will be taken into consideration by the DVLA when they assess your fitness to drive:

Keeping your licence

Once the Drivers Medical Unit at the DVLA has all the information it needs, it will make a decision on whether you can begin to drive again. However, this may take a few months. When a decision is made both you and your doctor will be informed.

You must let your insurance company know of the decision. If it is considered not safe for you to continue to drive your licence will be revoked. Be aware that the DVLA can also revoke your licence for non-compliance, for instance if you fail to send back an appropriately completed questionnaire, if you refuse permission for your doctor to be approached or if you refuse to agree to any of the assessments requested.

If your driving licence has been revoked because you were not fit to drive but your condition subsequently improves, you can reapply for a licence. However, you will not be able to drive again until a licence has been reissued, even if your doctor says it is safe for you to do so.

Insurance

As well as informing the DVLA, you must let your insurance company know about your condition. You must also inform them if you make any vehicle modifications to enable you to drive after your stroke. If you fail to inform them you may find you are not insured.

Your insurance company may want a doctor’s report to say it is safe for you to start driving again. Some companies may refuse to continue to insure you or raise your premium. If you experience problems with your insurance contact the British Insurance Brokers Association (see contact details). They can direct you to an independent insurance broker who will be able to advise you on the most appropriate vehicle insurance policy.

Mobility centres

There are a number of accredited mobility centres around the country. They can offer information, advice and help on driving with a disability. For example, if you have lost confidence in driving after a stroke, it may be helpful for you to have a driving assessment. This can identify any problems caused by your stroke and help you find ways of dealing with them. At some centres you can also be assessed for a pavement vehicle, scooter or wheelchair.

The mobility centre can advise on any adaptations to your vehicle that may be necessary to enable you to drive after a stroke. Some centres also give driving lessons to help you regain confidence or to help you learn to manage an adapted vehicle.

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre can give you a list of accredited mobility centres in England and Wales. They can also send you a list of conversion specialists if you need adaptations. Similarly MAVIS (Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service) can offer information and advice on all aspects of driving after a stroke, as well as assessments and details of other accredited mobility centres and conversion specialists.

Contacts

DVLA Drivers’ Medical Unit Longview Road Swansea SA99 1TU Tel: 0870 600 0301

British Insurance Brokers Association BIBA House 14 Bevis Marks London EC3A 7NT Tel: 020 7623 9043

MAVIS Macadam Avenue Old Wokingham Rd Crowthorne Berkshire RG45 6XD Tel: 01344 661000

The Disabled Drivers’ Motor Club Cottingham Way Thrapston Northants NN14 4PL Tel: 01832 734 724

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre Damson Way Fountain Drive Carshalton Surrey SM5 4NR Tel: 020 8770 1151

The Disabled Drivers’ Association National Headquarters Ashwellthorpe Norwich Norfolk NR16 1EX Tel: 01508 489 449

Mobility and General Information Centre (MAGIC) Century Road Hillmead Swindon SN55 5DR Tel: 0800 240 241

For more information

The Stroke Association publishes material covering many aspects of stroke and its management. To receive a publications order form contact your local Stroke Association office or write to: The Stroke Association, Northampton Resource Centre, Charles House, 61-69 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1HD. The order form can also be obtained from our website at www.stroke.org.uk

About the Stroke Association

The Stroke Association is this country’s leading charity solely concerned with stroke. Every year more than 100,000 people in England and Wales suffer first strokes – about 10,000 are under the age of 55. Stroke is the largest single cause of severe disability, with over 300,000 people affected at any one time.

The Stroke Association provides support to people who have had strokes, their families and carers. We campaign, educate, and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society. We run an information and education service, provide publications and welfare grants.

Our Dysphasia Support Service has almost 3,000 specially-trained volunteers and staff who work to improve communication skills in people who have lost their ability to speak, read or write after stroke.

Our Family Support Service is a visiting service which provides emotional support for the carers of people who have had a stroke and their families. It aims to prepare individuals for the changes they may have to make as a result of stroke.

We fund and promote research which will enhance knowledge both of the frequency, causes and outcome of stroke; and of the effectiveness of interventions aimed at stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and care.

We also act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke. To this end, we are campaigning for a higher priority to be given to stroke prevention, treatment, care and research.

To expand our vital work, The Stroke Association relies almost entirely on the generosity of the general public.

Stroke House, 240 City Road, London EC1V 2PR Telephone: 020 7566 0300 Fax: 020 7490 2686 National Stroke Helpline 0845 30 33 100 www.stroke.org.uk