At a glance
You must not drive a car for at least a month after having a stroke or TIA
If you’re still affected by a stroke after a month, you’ll need to let the DVLA know
You must tell your car insurance provider if you’ve had a stroke or TIA
You may find that your car insurance premiums are more expensive after a stroke
Can you drive after a stroke?
Whether you can drive after a stroke will depend on your recovery and the type of licence you hold.
By law, you must stop driving straight away after a stroke or a TIA (transient ischaemic attack, or mini-stroke). If you have a car or motorcycle licence, you must not drive for at least one month. That’s because a stroke can seriously affect your ability to drive. You could experience:
Problems with your eyesight
Weakness in your arms and legs
Problems with balance
Extreme tiredness
Problems with memory or understanding.
You can only start driving again when your doctor or healthcare professional says it’s safe to do so, for example if you don’t have any sight or cognitive problems.
Many people can drive again after a stroke, but recovery varies widely.
Do I need to tell the DVLA about my stroke?
If you have a car or motorcycle licence, you don't usually need to tell the DVLA if you have fully recovered after one month. But you must tell the DVLA if, after one month, you still have problems that affect your driving.
You must also tell the DVLA if you have had any type of seizure, needed brain surgery as part of your stroke treatment, or your doctor says you may not be safe to drive.
If you drive a bus, coach or lorry, you’ll need to let the DVLA know about your stroke as soon as possible. You must also stop driving for at least a year.
You can report your condition on GOV.UK or by sending form STR1 to the DVLA.
If you don’t tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving, you could be fined up to £1,000. If you have an accident as a result, you could be prosecuted.
If you live in Northern Ireland, contact the DVA instead. Once you tell the DVA about a medical condition, it will decide whether your licence can be issued, refused, or revoked.
Do I need to inform my car insurance provider after a TIA or stroke?
Yes, you must tell your insurance provider if you’ve had a stroke or TIA – even if your doctor says it’s okay for you to drive. If you don’t, you could invalidate your insurance.
Driving after a TIA or stroke can increase your risk factors, so your provider may ask for confirmation from your GP that you’re safe on the road.
What kind of car should I drive after a stroke?
The type of car you drive after a stroke can make driving easier, with some having built-in features to suit your needs.
For instance, you might find an automatic car with power steering works better for you. You can even buy cars with hoists that lift you into the driver’s seat or swinging seats that make it easy to get in and out of the car.
If you make any modifications to your car to help you drive, you may need to consider disability car insurance.
Did you know?
If a stroke has left you with permanent mobility issues and you receive certain benefits, you could be exempt from paying car tax or be eligible for a 50% discount. The vehicle must be registered in your name or your nominated driver’s name and must only be used for your personal needs.
What happens if my doctor says I’m not fit to drive?
If your doctor says you're not fit to drive, you must stop driving and tell the DVLA. If you don’t tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving, you could be fined up to £1,000. If you're involved in an accident as a result, you could be prosecuted.
You might be asked to take a driving assessment at a local mobility centre. The DVLA will then make a decision based on that. Either you’ll:
Keep your licence and carry on driving
Be given a temporary licence for one, two, three or five years, then your fitness to drive will be reviewed again
Be given a licence but one that specifies your car must be adapted
Have your licence taken away.
If your driving licence is taken away, you may be able to re-apply once your doctor says you’re medically fit to drive again.
What should I do if I no longer want to drive after a stroke?
If you choose to give up driving after a stroke, you can voluntarily surrender your driving licence to the DVLA. If you want to return to driving in the future, you can re-apply for a new licence.
If you decide to take your car off the road during your recovery and you don’t want to tax or insure it, you’ll need to declare a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
Even if your doctor declares you fit to drive, it’s up to you whether you want to continue driving or not.
Alternatives to driving after a stroke
If you have to give up your driving licence for medical reasons, you may need to look for other forms of transport to get around. Options could include:
Community transport – in many areas, local councils provide community transport schemes for people with disabilities who can’t use public transport. They will often take you from door-to-door or cover fixed routes.
Access to Work grant – if you’re unable to use public transport because of your disability, the Access to Work scheme can help with the cost of getting to and from work. For example, it could cover taxi fares or paying to adapt your vehicle.
Mobility scooter – ShopMobility hires out powered scooters to people who need help getting to the shops or accessing leisure facilities.
If you’re able to travel on public transport, options could include a Disabled Person’s Railcard or a free bus pass.
What if I drive for a living?
If you drive for your job, a stroke can significantly affect your income and daily life. You might have to step back from your usual duties for a while or even give up driving altogether. These are the rules for different types of driving jobs:
Taxi driver – you must tell your local authority about your stroke and any health conditions. They will decide the medical standards you must meet before you can return to driving.
Lorry or bus driver – you won’t be able to drive for at least a year after a stroke or TIA.
Police vehicle or ambulance driver – how long you’re off the road for is at the discretion of your employer, but they may follow the same rules as for larger vehicles.
Speak to your employer about your options, as you may need to retrain or look for an alternative role. If you can’t work the way you used to, find out what benefits you’re entitled to or seek advice from your local Jobcentre Plus, which has employment advisors for people with disabilities.
Can I still get car insurance after a stroke?
You should still be able to get car insurance after a stroke, assuming you’re declared fit to drive. But having a medical condition could mean your premiums are more expensive. This is because you may be considered a higher risk.
The cost of your insurance is also likely to go up if you need your vehicle to be adapted for driving after a stroke.
It’s worth shopping around to see if you can find a more competitive quote.
FAQs
Can I drive after a mild stroke?
No, you must still stop driving for a minimum of a month even if your stroke is mild. You can only restart when your doctor gives you the green light.
Many people who experience a TIA are allowed to drive their car again soon afterwards. But if you’re experiencing secondary effects, like impaired vision, mobility loss or memory problems, you may need rehab or have to pass a driving assessment before you can take to the road again.
Am I eligible for a Blue Badge permit?
If a stroke impacts your mobility, you could be eligible for a Blue Badge. This allows you to use designated parking bays closer to your destination. You can use your Blue Badge permit whether you’re the driver or the passenger.
You’ll automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you receive certain benefits, such as the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). You can also apply to your local council and they’ll decide if you’re eligible for a Blue Badge.
What is the Motability Scheme?
The Motability Scheme is a special type of car lease scheme available for those who qualify for certain benefits. These include, Higher Mobility DLA, PIP, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement and Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Through the scheme, you could exchange some or all of your mobility allowance to lease a specially adapted vehicle to help you continue driving after a stroke.
If you’re unable to drive, you’ll still be able to nominate up to three drivers on your behalf to drive you around or do errands and food shopping, as long as it benefits you.
Can I take a driving assessment after a stroke?
You might have to, if the DVLA requests it. But a driving assessment after a stroke could also help with your own peace of mind. It’s understandable that your confidence may have been knocked when it comes to getting behind the wheel again.
The charity Driving Mobility offers courses at various locations across the UK, where an assessor will give you an honest appraisal of your driving skills.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) also offers driving assessments after strokes to help drivers improve their confidence and driving skills.
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Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Rebecca Goodman is a freelance financial journalist who specialises in insurance, personal finance and consumer affairs.
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