American Stroke Foundation

There are many reasons why someone may have the goal of getting back to driving. Driving provides some with a sense of choice, freedom, identity, and independence. Driving is often perceived as a necessity for a productive social life and can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression when someone is unable to drive themselves to the places they wish to go.

Survivors of stroke face multiple changes that occur due to their stroke including physical, visual, and cognitive changes that can affect their ability to safety get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

If you are interested in getting back to driving after surviving a stroke, then you should get a driving evaluation done that will assess physical, mental, and visual abilities. These assessments typically cost about $450 and take approximately 3-4 hours to complete.

After the evaluation, the therapist may recommend you resume driving with or without restrictions, attend driver’s therapy, or discontinue driving altogether. If recommended for driving therapy, the therapist will work with you on using adaptive equipment, visual strategies, and other driving skills.

If you aren’t wanting to drive or are unable to drive, there are other transportation options available such as assistance from family and friends, senior center transportation options, Ubers and taxis, and public transportation.