Post-Op: Can You Drive And Stay Insured?

There are no set rules about when you can return to driving after an operation, and the recovery time varies from person to person. However, it is essential to check with your doctor and insurance company before getting back behind the wheel, as driving too soon could invalidate your insurance policy. Your doctor can advise you on when you may be healed and no longer impaired by medication, and your insurer can inform you of any special driving restrictions that may apply. It is also important to consider your physical and psychological ability to drive comfortably and safely.

Declare medical conditions to your insurer

If you have a medical condition that impacts your ability to drive safely, you must declare it to your car insurance company and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or risk invalidating your insurance. If you're not sure whether a condition could affect your driving, you should always seek professional medical advice.

The DVLA will assess you and your medical condition or disability, possibly by contacting your doctor, arranging for you to be medically examined, or having you take a driving test. They will then decide whether you can keep driving. You may be required to get a new licence, perhaps one that needs to be renewed more frequently, or to adapt your vehicle with special controls. In some cases, you may need to surrender your licence and stop driving. Failure to report a medical condition can incur a fine of up to £1,000, invalidate your car insurance policy, and lead to prosecution if you cause an accident.

Once you have informed the DVLA and have a valid licence, your insurance provider cannot refuse coverage solely based on your medical condition. They may, however, adjust your premiums or excess if they believe your condition increases the risk of an accident. If you have a physical disability, such as an amputated limb or a spine condition, your car insurance provider must be notified, particularly if your vehicle has been modified specifically for you. These kinds of modifications could increase your car insurance premiums, and if you don't declare them, your insurance could be invalid if you need to make a claim.

If you have had surgery or an injury, you must follow specific restrictions if you have been given anaesthesia or other medications. Your doctor can advise you about when driving might be safe, but you should also consider guidelines from your insurance company. If you need to legally prove you're capable of driving, you'll need to have an evaluation done through your local DMV or DOT.

Doctor's approval to drive

While doctors can advise and guide you about operating a vehicle after surgery, the final decision is yours to make. Their opinion does not hold any legal force. If you need official approval to be able to drive, you may need to arrange for an evaluation of your driving skills through your local DMV or DOT.

Doctors can play a role in helping you determine when you are ready to drive again. They can advise you about when driving might be safe, based on your personal needs and abilities. For example, if you have had keyhole surgery, you can usually drive once you are physically able, which is on average around four weeks following surgery. If a ligament or tendon has been repaired, you need to wait until it has healed—usually around 8–10 weeks. Returning to driving early after tendon surgery may compromise your recovery.

After certain procedures, you must follow specific restrictions if you've been given anaesthesia or other medications. If you have limited movement of a body part or pain, you may need to avoid driving for an extended period. That's because slower response times and a limited range of motion put you at risk of an accident. You should not drive while taking pain-relieving medications that are sedatives, as these can interfere with your concentration, judgement, and reaction time. With the anaesthesia medication isoflurane, it is recommended that you wait two to four days before driving.

In some states, doctors are required to notify the DMV if a patient has a medical condition that impairs their driving ability. This can trigger a hearing that can lead to a license suspension or revocation. However, the definition of "recent surgery" is not clearly defined, and insurance companies may have different interpretations of this. If unsure, contact your car insurer for clarification.

Medication and driving

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can contain warnings about operating heavy machinery, which includes driving a vehicle. These medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, and blurred vision, compromising your ability to drive safely. Sleep medications, antihistamines, and cold and allergy medicines are examples of drugs that can have these effects. Additionally, certain prescription drugs, such as opioids and stimulants, can significantly impair your driving skills, even in low doses.

It is crucial to understand how your medications, or any combination of them, may affect your driving ability. Some medications may interact with each other or with alcohol, leading to unexpected impairment. Always follow the directions and warnings on medication packaging and consult your healthcare professional about possible side effects and drug interactions. If you are taking a new prescription drug or an increased dosage, refrain from driving until you know how it affects your judgment, coordination, and reaction time.

After surgery, you may be taking pain-relieving medications that are sedatives, similar to alcohol, which can interfere with your concentration, judgment, and reaction time. It is recommended to refrain from driving while taking these medications and to practice driving in a safe, controlled environment until you can confidently perform emergency stop procedures and necessary driving maneuvers. Your insurance company may also have specific driving restrictions related to post-surgery medication use.

In summary, medication and driving is a serious matter that requires caution. Always be aware of the potential side effects of your medications and how they may impact your driving ability. Follow the advice of your healthcare professional and the instructions on medication packaging. If in doubt, refrain from driving until you are confident that your medication will not impair your driving skills.

Insurance restrictions after surgery

There are no set rules about when you can return to driving after surgery, and insurance restrictions will vary depending on your provider. However, there are some general guidelines and legal requirements that must be followed.

Firstly, it is important to note that you should not drive after any medical procedure until your doctor says it is safe to do so. If you are still taking sedative medication, including general anaesthesia, you should not drive for at least 24 hours, and in the case of the drug isoflurane, it is recommended to wait two to four days. If you have had keyhole surgery, you may be able to drive once the wound has healed, usually around 10-14 days, but this will depend on the location of the surgery and the type of vehicle you drive. For example, if you have had shoulder replacement surgery, it is recommended to wait at least eight to ten weeks before driving again.

If you have had an injury or procedure that will affect your ability to drive for three months or longer, you must inform the relevant authorities, such as the DVLA in the UK, and your insurance provider. Failure to do so could invalidate your insurance policy. Your insurance provider may request further information about your medical condition, and it is important to provide correct and up-to-date information to ensure your cover is still valid.

While your doctor can advise you about your ability to drive, the final decision rests with the appropriately trained licensing authority, such as the DMV or DOT, who may require you to take a test to legally confirm your capacity to drive.

It is important to note that your insurance provider may not cover you if you are involved in an accident while under the influence of strong pain-relieving medications, wearing a cast or brace, or if you have a recent fracture that has not fully healed. Therefore, it is crucial to check with your insurance company about any special driving restrictions or requirements they may have after surgery.

Driving ability and safety

Orthopaedic surgery will impact your physical and psychological ability to drive comfortably. While doctors can advise you about whether you're ready to operate a vehicle, the decision of when to return to driving after surgery or an injury depends on your personal needs and abilities.

Factors to consider

After taking any sedative medication, including general anaesthesia and conscious sedation, you shouldn't drive for at least 24 hours. With the anaesthesia medication isoflurane, it's recommended that you wait even longer, from two to four days. You should also consider whether you're able to sit comfortably in the driving position and whether you're fully able to perform an emergency stop.

If you have limited movement of a body part or pain, you may need to avoid driving for an extended period of time. That's because slower response times and a limited range of motion put you at risk of an accident.

If you've had keyhole surgery where no tendon or ligaments have needed repair, you can drive once physically able. On average, most people return to driving around four weeks following surgery. If a ligament or tendon has been repaired, you need to wait until it has healed – normally around 8–10 weeks with a graduated increase in activity. Returning to driving earlier than eight weeks may compromise your surgery.

Insurance

If you need an official approval that you're able to drive, you may need to arrange for an evaluation of your driving skills through your local DMV or DOT. You should also check with your insurance company about special driving restrictions after surgery or injuries. Your normal car insurer may not cover you if you are involved in an accident and are wearing a cast or a brace, taking strong pain-relieving medications, or have had a fracture with recent X-ray evidence that the break has not healed.

You should tell your insurer about any medical condition that comes under the list of 'notifiable' conditions with the DVLA. If you don't declare medical conditions that affect your driving to your car insurance provider, you risk invalidating your policy.

Frequently asked questions