Driving after a stroke

There are legal requirements about not driving after a stroke. Please check out what applies to you and how long you have to stop driving after your stroke. The DVLA web site does give information about this. It is also covered on the form you have to complete when you renew you licence once you turn 70. It is simple to understand and how to comply with the legal requirements.

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I wasn’t able to drive for 3 months after my stroke and had to be cleared by DVLA before i could start again. I had an sight assessment with SpecSavers and medical assessment with my GP.

I found the whole process very stressful but they did let me keep my licence.

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I am glade it worked out ok for you as it takes so much work to get your driving licence to start with.

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Im still waiting 9 months after my stroke. The consultant said as far as he’s concerned I’m fit but the dvla have sent a form asking about alcohol intake. I have about 10 units a week. That’s 4 cans. I can’t walk very far so it doesn’t bother me at the moment but soon hopefully it will.

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@Noel hi & welcome to the forum. Hopefully you’ll find lots of helpful advice & support on the forum.

Hope the DVLA sort your licence soon for you.

Best wishes

Ann

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@BobFage i have been trying since January of this year to get my licence back. i had seizures caused by my stroke so needed to be one year seizure free. had to have stroke, neurology and cardiologist alongside sleep consultants to say i was fit to drive, they did not consider the letters i sent in from all of them stating i should return to driving, i too had the Specsavers eye test. by the time i get my licence back, i wont be able to afford the £12.50 per day that our stupid London mayor has imposed on us in outer London.

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Thankyou simon. I’ve been doing the exercise the stroke association provide ( amber) I’m ready to get a bit more adventurous now.

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I think the word seizures is what has set that off. The doctors in the stroke unit advised me the time not to drive following a TIA. I am also sure it was on the DVLA site, but I will see if I can find it. But specsavers are the issue also in the issue.

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You’re not legally allowed to drive for a month after a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Some people have to stop driving for longer, or will not be able to drive again. This page explains what to do if you are a driver, including when to tell the DVLA (DVA in Northern Ireland). This is a cut and paste from the Stroke Association which seems to confirm what I had said. So I think it is the other issues you have. I fully agree about the London zone for clean air has gone over board with the £12.50 charge But I do not understand Chris why the £12.50 charge relates to your stroke issues. While I have been writing my wife has been checking the DVLA site. the issue of a seizures requires you to fill out a DVLA form FEP1 to advise the them. But if it was a TIA then providing it has stopped then it is 4 weeks from the last TIA. Hope that helps Chris. Not the news you were hoping for but there is a section on the stroke association site that covers it just search stroke driving. Let me know about the London charges. Thanks for answering my message …Bob

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Yes, thanks Simon. I’ve just completed the amber course but I am not stable enough to do the green. The support we get from the stroke association is marvellous can’t thank them enough.

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I never thought of that, maybe when I’m strong enough to graduate to green group I’ll suggest that. Good idea.

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Hi @BobFage the £12.50 charge means that I can’t afford that price, as have no income, my husband covers all our bills etc so disposable money to pay for all intents and purposes is a tax.

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No-one has mentioned anything about whether I should drive or not. Of course, I’m unable to drive at all , currently, but I would have thought that SOMEONE (doctor, nurse, therapist, etc.) would have said SOMETHING! I keep looking out of my window at my car and wondering if I should dispose of it.

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They should have mentioned it, at least they did with me while I was in hospital. I’d had 2 TIA’s, the consultant reckoned I’d be back driving within 6mths. It took more like 18mths before I was back behind the wheel. The stroke team that came to my home also mentioned it.

I voluntarily surrendered my licence after I got out of hospital because it was up for renewal in a couple months anyway and we were in lockdowns. DVLA wrote to my gp and the hospital about my condition and I got it back almost a year later. But I still wasn’t up to driving mentally because cognition and reaction time were still off.

It’s going to be at least a year for you I suspect. You mentioned a wheelchair and the lack of strength in you right hand and arm in your first post. But all is not lost, when the time comes, if need be you could get a car adapted for you to drive. There are a few folk in my aphasia group who have them, one guy who has no use of his right arm at all and his right leg drags but has been driving for years post stroke. Where there’s a will there’s a way as the saying goes. :smile:

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I was told numerous times in hospital that I wouldn’t be able to drive for at least 3 months & that I had to ve cleared by DVLA before I coukd return to driving. It was also in my discharge letter & I was given a copy of the Stroke Association leaflet on driving after a stroke.

I have my licence now but i drive very very little as I find it exhausting.

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Thank you I’m grateful for your explanations as I am having difficulty with the people around me as they ‘don’t get it’ I am struggling trying to know what to do next and I’m so tired and my words get mixed up.

Thank you

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Hi @Momma and welcome to the forum. Sorry you had to join this club but we’re glad you found us to help on this journey to recovery.

Yes those around you won’t get it and neither would you nor I have before out strokes. You don’t say when you had your stroke but I take it it is only a matter of weeks ago or so. Lots of rest is number one on the list of recovery in the early weeks. Your brain is working very hard to repair itself and needs a good healthy diet with plenty of protein, B vitamins are the ambrosia of life to the brain. And a daily walk as exercise is good the whole body. Just don’t push yourself to hard this early in your recovery. Have a stroke team been in touch yet or is one due?

Have read through the Welcome post we put of all the things we wish we’d be told from start after out strokes. And don’t be afraid to ask question, not matter how stupid you might think them, there are always fellow stroke survivors on here to help and advise :people_hugging:

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Hi & welcome @Momma sorry to hear you’ve had a stroke but hopefully you’ll find some useful advice on this forum.

The early days you probably need to take thjngs,easy as your brain needs to repair & rewire. Little things will tire you out but in time things will start to improve.

Ask away if you have any questions & someone will be along to help.

Best wishes

Ann xx

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Hi, Chris67, What is the daily charge of 12.50 pounds for? Cheers, Trooper

Hello Trooper it’s for the ULEZ charge in all london boroughs. I get with my blue badge free congestion charge and free LEZ charge