Aphasia questions and answers
Will I ever be able to drive again?
You may not be allowed to drive because of potential seizures and visual problems. However, many people who have had a stroke do get back to driving again. For many people, getting back to driving is an important part of their road to recovery.
Jo Wauchope has aphasia and is back driving again
Where to start
Driving really is possible – even for people with quite severe aphasia. There is often extra support for people with aphasia and there are adaptations that can be done to your car to make driving easier.
Some people may need to contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) after a stroke. If you hold a car or motorcycle licence, you do not have to tell the DVLA about your stroke unless you are still having problems a month after the stroke. If you have a bus, coach or lorry licence, you do need to tell the DVLA about your medical condition.
If a DVLA review is needed, there’s a medical questionnaire (called form STR1) that you can download from the DVLA website. The DVLA will make a decision about your driving from the information you supply. They may:
- contact your doctor or consultant
- arrange an examination by a local specialist
- ask you to take a driving assessment.
How Jo started driving again
Jo Wauchope had a stroke in 2000. She filled in a review form and her GP wrote a letter to the DVLA. She had some tests to check her ability and skills. Jo can't use her right hand, so she drives a specially adapted car. Indicators, lights and other functions are controlled by a device on the steering wheel. After three lessons to gain confidence, Jo is enjoying her independence. “Driving again means I can go to the local garden centre or shopping by myself,” she says. “Now I share the driving with my husband on long journeys.”
Starting to drive as a beginner
Sarah Scott had a provisional driving licence before her stroke in 2009, which left her with severe aphasia. After filling in the DVLA form, she was asked to attend a local driving assessment centre. The DVLA paid for her to have a “cognitive test”. This checks various skills and functions. Sarah felt comfortable with the tester, who gave her extra time to complete the test.
She is having lessons in an automatic car with a driving instructor from Hertfordshire Action on Disability. “He is very nice,” she says, “and is very patient with me.”
Sarah hopes to pass her driving test in the coming year. She looks forward to driving to the local gym and shops without having to ask other people.
Driving really is possible
It is useful to know that you can ask for extra time to complete the theory test and to have an audio version of the test if reading is difficult. There is also help available for the practical test. For example, gesturing can be used if it’s difficult to understand left and right.
For more information, visit the DVLA website at www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical.aspx.
Back to FAQ listing