When Can I Drive After a Concussion? Tips for Safely Assessing Readiness

Assessing Readiness to Drive Post-Concussion

Suffering a concussion can hamper activities like driving for variable amounts of time as you recover. When is it reasonably safe to drive again after concussion? Evaluating both physical symptoms and cognitive function is key.

Monitor Physical Symptoms

A concussion causes dysfunction in brain cells, triggering issues like:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light/noise

These physical issues make operating a vehicle difficult and dangerous initially. Track your concussion symptoms diligently and don't drive until physical issues have fully resolved.

Assess Thinking Skills

Cognitive impairment is also common with concussions, hampering abilities like:

• Attention
• Reaction time
• Processing speed
• Memory
• Decision making

Since driving requires strong cognitive functioning, only return to driving when thinking skills return to pre-concussion levels, even if physical issues disappear.

The Problem of Feeling Recovered

Research shows that many concussion patients feel back to normal well before full recovery. If you rely solely on subjective symptoms to gauge readiness to drive, you risk safety.

Misjudging Recovery Timelines

Concussions generally take 10-14 days to improve and 1-3 months fully resolve. But subjective feeling of recovery comes much sooner for many patients – often by just a few days post-injury.

Dangerously Premature

Driving too soon when feeling recovered but still cognitively impaired slows reaction time and processing speed significantly. This raises risks of accidents, especially in complex driving environments.

Need for Objective Testing

Since subjective sensations underestimate recovery timelines in many concussion cases, relying on objective cognitive testing rather than feeling back to normal is essential for safely gauging readiness to drive.

Medical Clearance for Post-Concussion Driving

The safest approach is being evaluated and medically cleared to start driving again by your doctor, concussion specialist, or occupational therapist. This clearance is based on objective testing of both physical and mental functioning relative to non-concussed abilities.

Gradual Progression

Your provider maps out a gradual return to driving tailored to your unique recovery pace. This may start with short trips in uncomplicated settings before attempting longer, high-stimulus drives.

Ongoing Monitoring

Even after medical clearance to resume driving, you'll need periodic reassessment as you continue healing in coming days or weeks following the actual return to driving.

Equivocal Results

If cognitive testing results are borderline or unclear regarding driving competency post-concussion, your medical team may order a formal driving evaluation with an occupational therapist for definite clearance.

Use Caution After Any Concussion

Every concussion differs in severity, symptoms, and recovery length. But any concussion causes dysfunction potentially hazardous for driving. Use these precautions post-concussion before driving:

Wait for Doctor's Clearance

Only start driving after your treating physician formally clears you based on testing showing full symptom resolution and normalized cognition.

Remain Vigilant

Carefully monitor yourself for any subtle cognitive or physical symptoms that could impair driving competency in early post-concussion recovery stages.

Start Slowly

Initially, only drive short distances in uncomplicated settings with little traffic or stimulation before progressing to higher-risk drives.

Reassess Often

Continue evaluating your fitness to drive through the first several weeks post-concussion, even if your doctor cleared initial return.

With careful symptom tracking, objective testing, medical guidance, and gradual return to driving, people recover from even severe concussions can safely resume driving eventually.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.