Driving after a Stroke


Returning to driving after a stroke can be an important part of recovery.  However, the effects of a stroke may impede your ability to drive safely for a temporary period of time.  The physical, visual or cognitive effects of a stroke may deem it unsafe.   You should ask your doctor and your occupational therapist about a medical assessment so you can return to driving following a stroke.

Driving uses a combination of skills and a stroke can affect your ability to drive safely in a number of ways. Some of these changes are less obvious than others, for example, a stroke could affect your ability to make quick decisions, react to sudden changes and concentrate on driving. There is also the risk of having another stroke to consider and the risk of a further stroke is highest early after a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).


Physical Effects
Weakness in your arm or leg or both after a stroke may cause pain or a change of sensation that might affect your driving.

Visual Problems
Stroke may cause of loss in the vision in one eye or blurred or double vision.  Ask your doctor about the effect these problems will have on your ability to drive.

Cognitive problems
A stroke can cause of range of cognitive changes like attention, concentration, comprehension, problem solving and perception.  These problems will need to be assessed before you can return to driving.  Speak to your doctor and occupational therapist to arrange this assessment.

Epilepsy
You may experience seizures after your stroke and some stroke survivors will develop epilepsy as a result of their stroke. This will affect your ability to drive as you may run the risk of having a seizure at the wheel.  Speak to your doctor and occupational therapist about getting assessed.

Organisations that can help you.

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) assesses and works with 400-500 people each year who want to learn/return to driving. Many of these have had strokes.  People wanting to drive will have to be assessed by an occupational therapist and by a driving instructor. A fee is payable to the IWA.

The IWA can also help people to select a suitable vehicle and retrain people to use automatics or adapted vehicles.

Commercial Driving

The IWA also assesses drivers that want to return to commercial driving after a stroke.  Commercial vehicles usually have to be adapted for the driver after a stroke. 

To find out more contact The Irish Wheelchair Association

Download The IWA National Mobility Centre Leaflet.

Irish Wheelchair Association
National Mobility Centre
045 893 094/5
maats@iwa.ie
http://www.iwa.ie/services/motoring.aspx 

Taxis 

The Taxi Regulator requires drivers returning to work after a stroke to have a medical assessment.  The person’s medical report would then be taken into account by the Gardai who are the licensing authority for taxi drivers. 

Contact the Taxi Regulator for more information.

For general industry information or advice, ring our lo-call industry information line at 1890 347 347.

www.taxiregulator.ie

Road Safety Authority

 

Driver Licensing Section
Moyvalley Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina
Co. Mayo

Telephone: 1890 41 61 41
Email: licensingqueries@rsa.ie

Disabled Drivers Association

www.ddai.ie

Ballindine
Claremorris
Co. Mayo
Ireland
 
Phone: +353 (0) 94 – 936 4054 or +353 (0) 94 – 936 4266
Fax: +353 (0) 94 – 936 4336
Email: info@ddai.ie