Hello. 1st time posting on the forum. Im finding all the posts very useful to get my head around tge new me.
I suffered a severe stroke back in Nov 2021 leaving me with weak left side and no feelings on left side etc and am easily overwhelmed but im getting on well with daily exercise and life in general and id like to get back to driving and wanted to ask you all how to go about it. What do I need to do?
I never handed in my license to DVLA as i was in denial.
3 Likes
@Karlcrick2.0 Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your stroke but good to hear you are trying to make the best of life.
Did you notify the DVLA of your stroke initially? I think the requirement is to notify them if you have ongoing issues after 1 month. If you haven’t notified them then you need to. That should then start the process for you getting back to driving. This link will take you to the dvla guidance on driving & medical conditions.
Be warned it is likely to take some time to be sorted as most of us have found.
There are many posts on here in relation to driving and driving assessments aftervatroke. If you type driving into the search box 
then you can have a read through them all.
Best wishes
Ann
2 Likes
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke.
It’s great to hear that you’re getting on well and that you want to start driving again. We have some information on our webpage about driving which may be helpful for you and I can see @Mrs5K has offered some links and advice too which I hope helps. I’m sure others will be along shortly to talk about their experiences.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna
1 Like
I am in a similar situation, I had a stroke in September last year, which is an automatic 1 month ban, I was also told I had a seizure +which is a 6month ban, I had to inform the DVLA and they withdrew my license, even though I didn’t send it in, there are sheaves of pages of documents you need to fill in, I had 14 pages in one section alone!
It is now 8 months since I stopped driving and still haven’t got my license back, be warned, the DVLA are a nightmare to deal with, bureaucracy gone mad, phone calls answered by kids, different answers every time, almost as bad as the stroke itself, my advice is, if you haven’t already informed the DVLA, , and your GP/ consultant says you are fit to drive, just give it a try assuming they haven’t banned you already.
Worst of all, I was later informed by the consultant that they made a mistake filling in my paperwork, and I didn’t have a seizure after all!!, so a 8 month ban for no reason.
Hope this helps.
1 Like
I have weak right side and had to sell my car and manage without wheels, but can now drive my modified vehicle.
I got my license back then went to a driver assessment centre where I was warned they have the power to prevent you from driving but they are in fact keen to guide you back to driving safely. You need a license to be able to do the assessment so hang on to it.
The assessment looks at a whole load of mental and physical issues and you are assessed by people qualified to perform the tests. Next they provide a modified vehicle and take you for an extended drive to see how you perform. The results of this series of assessments guides you to your next step.
I posted the results to the DVLA and eventually I received a license through the post. It was quite a nice surprise as I had given up hoping to get back behind the wheel. Then I ordered a car which also took a long time.
Now I have my own modified vehicle. At first I had to get used to finding my way around again.
This is three years since my stroke and I am just beginning to get used to being mobile again.
If you want to know more I have written about my experiences on my blog. (see below)
Having said that this online community forum is a great place to discuss life with others in a similar situation to your own.
2 Likes
Thank you Bobbi for your reply.
Ive just emailed an assessment centre near me so that I can crack on!
Onwards and upwards 
2 Likes
As others have said, the process can be horribly slow, but it is worth the wait.
To be honest I didn’t think I would ever drive again.
I was pushed into applying for an assessment by an Occupational Therapist. My confidence was at an all time low, stroke made me think I would be a basket case forever. She gave me the boot up the bum I needed and slowly slowly it all began to happen.
There are still ups and downs. My mobility is still severely restricted but a car and a scooter open up great possibilities.
There is a world out there, a strange world I admit, but it is worth taking it on and doing the best you can.
Stay in touch and let us know what progress you make. If there are difficulties mention them too, at least you’ll get sympathy and maybe some useful advice.
keep on keepin on
1 Like
i am finding it difficult to get my car adapted and find an assessment place. i had a stroke over two years ago.
1 Like
Where in the country are you?
Is the problem finding a centre or a centre with available appointments?
If you are reapplying for your license and have some disabilities you may get a license for Automatic only, in which case you may have to change your car.
Motability run several events over the summer where all the vehicle adapters will attend and you can try out the options.
Good luck, If you can drive again it will have a huge impact on your independence and mood.
Janet
1 Like
@erasmus24 just popping by to say hi & welcome to the community. Hope you’re getting on ok since your stroke & you soon find somewhere to have the driving assessment.
Best wishes
Ann
1 Like
Thank you Ann,
I have contacted my GP to refer me to an NHS assessment centre near me so im hoping I can get assessed soon. I am nervous of being overwhelmed with stress so will need to turn up early enough to become adjusted to the surroundings and people.
I feel positive and hope to be able to drive again soon. Karl 
3 Likes
The people at the assessment centre were helpful, sympathetic and easy to speak with.
The first stage was a written questionnaire about one’s disability.
I cannot write as I have right side weakness so my wife who is my carer had to fill the form in with me.
There were other stages that involved pen and paper, for example one that involved tracing a line through a maze using a pen.
I was a bit wobbly but did manage to complete it.
The staff are from N.H.S. and understand the difficulties in a positive manner.
They deal with one in a helpful and fair way.
At the end of it all you receive a written assessment of ability to drive safely, with suggestions.
One is treated respectfully and with kindness and fairness.
One is not made to feel uncomfortable or under pressure.
Good luck and wishing you a happy future.
Hi Bobbi, thanks so much for sharing. Insight into what goes on at the centre is really helpful to me.
Im looking forward to getting back on the road again soon. Hope the sun is shining in your part of the world
1 Like
Getting in touch with your nearest assessment centre would be a good start.
I found a phone number for mine and gave them a ring.
I had no transport at the time and they weren’t that close but a chat on the phone gave me some answers and got the ball rolling.
Don’t forget that blue badge, you are sure to be eligible and it is a great help.
I feel that we affected by stroke should support one another.
We are well qualified, aware of what is important to us, what the problems can be and sometimes can share relevant advice.
We each have our different stories so it is good to find out what others have to say too.
The plus is that chatting together opens up our world and makes the experience less of a lonely slog.
You can have a bit of fun too.
Here is this old man’s Boy Racer
i am halfway between stoke ond crewe. i need the derby centre but i have to be referrred by the doctor which is where i got stuck last year. the doctor said he didn’t refer people. i’m going to try again this week. i can’t wait to drive - as you sayi’m hoping it will have a huge impact on my mood. Thanks ever so much for your helpful advice.
W hyeda
1 Like
thank you Ann. i have contacted the doctor again.
1 Like
hi Bobbi where did you get your adapted vehicle or did you have one adapted to your needs.i have searched everywhere
but only found one place in Devon that adapts them which is miles away from me.
can I ask what it cost to adapt a car from standard,if that is what you did.thanks.
1 Like
I had a recommendation from the car supplier and decided to go with that. The car was adapted for my needs. The guy who did the job gave me a number of options within my specification.
I am right side disabled so a needed something on the steering wheel for left hand driving, which included controls for horn, lights, indicators and windscreen wipers.
The car is electric, there is a mechanism that enables a left hand gas pedal. It is also an automatic so no clutch or gear stick.
I wasn’t sure of any of this but have got used to it. Accelerating away involves no gear changes, just foot down hard to the floor leaves everyone well behind still changing up from first to second and so on.
It cost me just over ÂŁ1000 which was the price of the kit and fitting. Once my car supplier had my vehicle it was collected to be modified and once ready I took delivery of the vehicle ready to drive.
Driving assessment centres have modified vehicles and they might be prepared to let you see one. They provided one for my assessment.
I think the same applies to those businesses that offer mobility scheme vehicles.
I hope this answers some of your questions.
thanks Bobbi, I’m left side disabled so acceleration won’t be a problem stopping on the other hand could be a problem.
I am looking well done the line before I consider driving, plus I can’t get mobility benefits or anything else come to that.
apart from attendance allowance which covers 3 sessions with my physio lady.
so no spare money available.
1 Like
I am also left side disabled. my right foot works the accelerator and brake. The major adaptation I have is a switch to bring the indicator control over to the right hand side of the steering wheel. It is at about 10.00 am. I claim PIP so get a car through Motability.
If you want to investigate driving you may be able to find a specialist driving instructor who has an adapted car so you could have a couple of lessons.
1 Like