![]() ![]() Changes in eyesight and visual perception Many people who can no longer read road signs or maps find a Sat Nav (Satellite Navigation System) or the map function on their phones, invaluable. It is advisable to bring someone with you initially to make sure you are comfortable finding your way. Receptive aphasia is where someone has difficulty understanding written or spoken language. It is possible for people with receptive aphasia to continue to drive. Many people can drive safely with hearing loss by using their mirrors more and being more observant of what is going on around them. Check with your GP or pharmacist that none of your medications will interfere with your driving.Give yourself plenty of time to adjust.If your brain injury has caused any of the physical or hidden changes listed, it is important to: Physical and hidden changes that affect driving They should tell you if you are safe to return to driving or if you need to report any change in your abilities to the licencing authority. Talk to your GP or consultant about this. If you hold a Small Public Service Vehicle licence (SPSV), you are required by law to tell the licensing authority of any illness or physical disability you have that could affect your ability to safely drive a taxi or cab. Talk to your employer about this or contact Citizens Information for advice t: 0818 07 4000 or visit Taxi drivers and cab drivers This known as ‘reasonable accommodation’. If you cannot drive for work any longer, in most cases, your employer is obliged to take reasonable steps to give you different duties. If you are not able to meet the requirements for returning to work as a truck or bus driver, this does not automatically mean you cannot drive your own car. Talk to your employer and your GP about this. The Group 2 guidelines are much stricter than for driving a private car. If you drive a truck or a bus, you need to make sure you comply with the Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines for truck and bus drivers (called Group 2 drivers). This section is mainly for anyone driving their own car. You can also apply to get a driving assessment done yourself by contacting your nearest assessment provider. Your doctor may ask you to get an assessment done to help them to make their decision if you are ready to return to driving. You can check what the medical guidelines are for your condition at If you are able to return to driving, it will usually be a number of months after your brain injury. ![]() They must base their decision on their medical judgement and the current Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines. ![]() If any after-effects you have are likely to impact on your ability to drive safely, you must get yourself checked as safe to drive by a registered medical professional. Before returning to drive, you need to allow yourself plenty of time to recover and to adjust to any changes from your brain injury. This depends on how severe your injury was and what after-effects you still have. Reduced ability to concentrate, to anticipate danger, to plan ahead or to be aware of your own limitations.Being more impulsive or prone to anger outbursts.Memory – for example: remembering where you are going and how to get there.Slowed thinking speed and reaction times.Difficulties with balance, movement or coordination.Weakness in the arms or legs, or paralysis.Many different effects following a brain injury can impact on a person’s ability to drive. When we drive, we use many different mental and physical abilities – for example: being aware of our surroundings, ignoring distractions, as well as using the car controls such as the pedals, gears and steering wheel. Some of the effects are obvious because they are physical, while other effects can be invisible or hidden. How a brain injury affects drivingĪ brain injury can affect your ability to drive in many different ways. You will find the latest version on It is your responsibility to check that you have met all current requirements before you return to driving. The current guidelines for drivers with illnesses or disabilities are the Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines, 2022. Here, we provide you with the current facts regarding returning to driving, along with tips and advice based on research and people’s own experiences. Other people may have to accept that they are no longer able to drive safely. Some people will need to have their cars adapted or change to driving an automatic. This will depend on how your brain injury has affected you. You may be safe to drive now or sometime in the future. However, as we know, driving uses many complex thinking and physical skills which may have been affected by a brain injury. For many people, one of the first things they focus on after their initial recovery from their brain injury, is when they can get back to driving.
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