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Stroke - How do you get behind the wheel again?
Through my experience of working in the stroke unit, the question of whether and when someone can drive after a stroke comes up frequently.
There can be many challenges on the path to recovery and driving is one of them. The way in which a stroke affects a person varies widely and depends on the type and severity of the stroke. A TIA is sometimes called a mini stroke. You experience the same symptoms as with a stroke but symptoms last for less that 24 hours. Symptoms can include physical, visual and cognitive impairment. Driving requires a combination of these skills, the measure in which any of these are affected will indicate your safety to drive again.
The stroke association website can be very useful in answering your questions related to driving. A quick summary is as follows:- After a single stroke/TIA you cannot drive for at least a month and then you require your doctor's approval. You need to inform your insurance company.
- If you experienced multiple TIA's over a short period of time you may have to have three months free of TIA's before resuming driving. You need to inform the DVLA and your insurance company.
- If deemed unsafe to drive by your doctor, you should inform the DVLA. In time, if you make further recovery, you could apply for your licence to be restored. This will depend on further medical assessment.
- If you are mainly affected physically after the stroke it may be possible to return to driving with an adapted car. Specialist mobility centres can assist you with this.
Many times restrictions on driving are temporary. It can have a huge effect on your life if you have to give up driving. It is important that you feel you have options to continue to get out and do activities that you enjoy. This can be a real challenge if you do not feel safe or lack confidence to do so on your own. An Occupational Therapist may be able to help you achieve this goal.
Useful contact numbers:
DVLA - Tel: 0300 7906806
The Department for Transport - Tel: 020 7944 4906
Forum of Mobility Centres - Tel: 08005593636
Motability - Tel: 08456750009
Stroke Association - www.stroke.org.uk
St John and St Elizabeth Stroke Unit - www.thestrokeunit.org.uk
Corli Steyn, Occupational Therapist
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