Driving Post-Stroke
- Maureen Harrop
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
DRIVING
Post-Stroke
BOTTOM LINE: Driving post-stroke requires careful evaluation and adherence to state regulations to ensure safety and independence.
Can I drive post-stroke?
In a word, No, not at first, and not for a while.
WHY?!?!?
I don’t understand WHY I can’t drive?!
Because, after a serious neurological event which has seriously damaged your brain, that makes you a danger to yourself and others if you get behind the wheel before you’re ready; and, some states have laws prohibiting your driving for the reasons above. Just as a person is “under the influence” (DUI), you could be cited by the police, placed in jail, or injure yourself and/or others.
You could:
Injure yourself and/or others;
Extended stroke recovery time;
Worst case, killing or seriously injuring another driver, making you vulnerable to an expensive lawsuit, car insurance rates skyrocketing, guilt/depression, having to buy a new car, etc.
Extend your stroke recovery time due to a car-related injury.
Bottom line, you’re “impaired” and dangerous at this point in your recovery, no matter what you think.
DENIAL of DEFICIT
But, “I feel fine and I’ve always been a good driver, no tickets, no wrecks, etc.”
That’s called denial of deficit, which means exactly what it says - you’re in denial of your deficit. This is where your doctor and/or your caregiver have to step in and provide some “tough love!”
But I’ve lost my independence!” Trust me, I know all the feelings! Not only has your life changed overnight, you cannot function the way you did yesterday, you feel like a burden on your family, and all you want to do is feel normal again!
Yet, the cost to you and others if you give into that feeling of “independence,” will change your life even more than it already is!
WHY DIDN’T I KNOW ABOUT THIS?!
TWO REASONS:
(1)
Did your Hospital Neurologist address this important issue with you or your caregiver?
Did your PT/OT address this with you?
Did your Primary Care doctor?
Did ANYONE?!
We were told nothing! I just knew I wasn’t ready and my partner wasn’t about to let me drive until we learned the right way to return!
(2)
State-to-state REPORTING requirements
A huge reason this isn’t addressed as routine is because every state has different reporting requirements. In my opinion, not good.
Self-Reporting: In Arizona, for instance, you are required to report your impairment to the AZ Motor Vehicle Department.
Doctor-Reporting: In Massachusetts, for instance, your neurologist
Is required to report your impairment to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
THE SAFEST WAY TO RETURN TO DRIVING
About 9 months into my recovery, I began asking questions about this process and was told by my PT/OTs about the requirements:
Your PT/OT must evaluate your competence;
Your neurologist or primary care physician (PCP) must evaluate you too.
THEN…you must…
(1) Retrofit Your Car: For instance, if you have left/right-side hemiparesis or hemiplegia, you will need to locate a company to:
Turn signal lever: Change the “turn” lever to the right side of the steering column if your have left-side hemiparesis;
Gas Pedal: If you have right-side hemiparesis, you may need to have the gas pedal somehow moved to the left side.
We used:
DIGNIFIED MOTORS
3422 E Roeser Rd, Ste 2
Phoenix, AZ 85040
480-315-0103
Here are some reviews of their work on Yelp: click here.
They did a great job!
No matter where you live, the best way to determine what your car will need, is to secure the advice of a:
CERTIFIED DRIVING REHABILITATION SPECIALIST (CDRS)
(2) Driving School: Attendance at a Driving School, approved by your state DMV, and passing an intense written and driving test. The driving school I attended was a 6-week program.
In Arizona,there are two schools I’m aware of in the Phoenix area. Most people choose the one nearest their home:
Driving for Independence
1414 West Broadway Road, Suite 218
Tempe, Arizona 85282
480-449-3331
Fax: 480-753-9428
They also have a location in Tucson. This is the company I used to become re-certified, and they did a very good job.
Drivable Solutions
4120 N 20th, Ste A
Phoenix, AZ 85016
In Summary:
Driving post-stroke requires careful evaluation and adherence to state regulations to ensure safety for oneself and others.
PLEASE be safe out there, everyone!
Maureen
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