Hi everyone, I’m looking for a bit of advice about driving after stroke. I haven’t posted before but have learned lots already looking through the posts. My husband had a stroke just over 4 weeks ago. Initially he couldn’t move his left arm or walk. He still has weakness in his arm and leg but is able to walk unaided. We only notice a slight foot drag mainly when he’s tired and he’s been on short walks too and from the car (as a passenger!)
The stroke nurse said we have to inform the DVLA.
When we looked at the online form it asks if you are able to drive a car without adaptations or are able to drive an automatic. He hasn’t attempted driving so I’m assuming the answer to both of these questions is ‘no’ at the moment. If he answers no, does he have to surrender his license? It’s likely he’ll be able to drive an automatic when he’s ready, do we just say that he can do this just now so that he doesn’t need to give up his license? We’re reluctant to press ok without knowing the implications. I’m not sure if that makes sense but any help would be much appreciated
The road traffic act says you dont have to tell the DVLA if you have a event & are recovered within a month. You cannot drive & just tell them if you still have symptoms like weakness in an arm or leg or cognitive or visual impairments after a month
I’m hazier about medical staffs obligation to report concerned but I know the opticians are required to make a report. If dvla revoke his licence it will be harder to get it reactivated than if he surrenders it. It’s not uncommon for return of licence require an assessment.
If he drives when medical factors are impacting his ability then the police generally will prosecute and your insurance will be void.
Lot of shared experience recorded in the posts on the forum from people dealing with the DVLA having assess ments the various considerations. By using the magnifying glass at the top of the page to search
Hi. I informed DVLA that I had had a stroke. They sent a form to my GP for him to fill in regarding my health and physical abilities and I also had to go to Specsavers for an eye test. Specsavers are not allowed to give you the result of the test but send it to DVLA who then take ages to let you know whether you have passed!! I was allowed to keep my licence and have been driving for several months admittedly only locally but hoping to gradually start going further afield. One word of warning is that I do now find driving very tiring. Think it’s mostly tension after not driving for a while but hopefully that will lessen over time.
Good luck to your husband
Thanks @Apple and @SimonInEdinburgh that’s really helpful. @Apple was the need for eye test requested as a requirement after you informed the DVLA? Thanks
Yes. It was a condition from DVLA. Consisted of pressing a button every time a light flashed across the screen plus a very short basic eye test. The worst bit was waiting for the result and I was convinced I had failed!!
@Emm123 Hi & welcome to the community. I waa required to inform the DVLA after my stroke as I was told I couldn’t drive for 3 months (i had vision issues with my stroke). I don’t recall them asking any questions about whether I could drive without adaptations or an automatic at that point. As @Apple says once i had informed them i had to attend Specsavers for an eye test including visual field test & then a form waa sent to my GP for them to confirm my physical & cognitive abilities.
As @SimonInEdinburgh mentions it is better to surrender your licence tgan have it revoked. If you’re unsure what to complete in that section of the form i’d suggest giving them a call to ask.
If you surrender then ALL you need to start driving is for them to receive your application & no medical objections. They then have a year to respond during which you can drive (and your insurance won’t be invalid
Hi emm123.
When I came home after a 5 week spell in hospital and rehab in 2022, I automatically thought I needed to inform the DVLA. The stroke association told me no I didn’t need too. I spoke to my doctor about it and he also said no I didn’t need too and gave me the all clear to get behind the wheel again. It’s taken a lot longer than thought to be physically competent enough to drive a manual car ( 2 years through complications with CPSP)during that time ive had spells of driving down the local industrial estate on a Sunday then when it felt right i drove on normal roads with L plates on (all of which was approved by my local doctor) I even discussed with my wife about the possibility of contacting a driving instructor we knew to get her opinion on my driving.
Hope this helps and wish your husband a speedy recovery
Hi, I was in a similar situation about 18 months ago. What you or your husband won’t be aware of is “how has his cognitive skills been affected”. I informed the DVLA and they wrote to my GP who then arranged to interview me. He determined that I was okay to drive and informed the DVLA and, as a result, I kept my licence. If you have any concerns about his ability to drive I would suggest you apply for an NHS Driver’s assessment and they will be able to confirm if he is able to drive. This way, you are fully legal and compliant and safe. Good luck.
Hi, after my stroke in 2022, my therapist put me through the Rockwell test (cognitive) before I was allowed to drive again, the following day I went for a drive on my own just to the supermarket about 1.25 miles away……
My licence was due up for renewal just a few months after my stroke.
Naturally, on the renewal form, I informed of my stroke. They in turn contacted both my gp and the stroke consultant, and my new licence was returned just a year after my stroke. Personally speaking, my brain wasn’t yet ready to be getting behind the wheel, but at least I had my licence for when that day did come along. I’ve been back driving again for about 2yrs now I think.
