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Driving After Amputation?

1. Will I need to have my car modified to be able to drive it?

After a limb amputation, a person is sometimes unable to drive a vehicle in the normal manner. There are, however, several types of adaptive devices that will allow an individual with an amputation to safely resume driving. The site of amputation will determine the degree of difficulty an amputee will have with a standard equipped vehicle.

Usually, modifying a vehicle involves compensating for the inability to reach and operate the various driving controls. The common modifications that are made will usually depend on the level of amputation. It is worth remembering that adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications are available for some vehicles, although not all vehicles are suitable for modifications.

2. I am an upper limb amputees, can I still drive a car?

It will still be possible for you to drive, either with or without modifications to your car. In general, if you can reach and operate all your car’s controls either with your “good” hand or with the help of your prosthesis, or with your “good” hand and residual limb, you will not need modifications. Indeed, many people with bilateral below-elbow amputations can drive as easily without prostheses or modifications as the rest of us can with both hands. However those with bilateral above-elbow amputations generally need vehicle modifications.

The usual modifications made for an upper limb amputee are:

3. I am a lower limb amputee, can I drive a car?

It will be possible for you to drive either with or without modifications to your car. In general, if you are a left leg amputee and your car has automatic transmission, you won’t need modifications. If you are a right leg amputee and you are not comfortable operating the accelerator with your left foot, an extension pedal can be installed, so the accelerator can be operated from the left side. In general, most prosthesis users with below-knee amputations, even bilateral amputations, can operate a manual transmission without modifications.

For those who have bilateral amputations and are not prosthesis users or those who are simply uncomfortable operating the pedals with their prosthetic feet, a wide variety of hand controls are available.

The usual modifications made for a lower limb amputee are:

Right leg amputation

Both leg amputation

4. How do I get a driving licence?

Whether you are  a congenital amputee or have undergone an amputation due to acquired causes, you can still drive a motor vehicle or ride a motorcycle.

Certain procedures need to be followed when applying for the license to drive a car or a ride a motorbike. You are required to let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know that you have had a change to your medical condition. The direct number for the medical officer at the DVLA is: 0870 600 0301 (Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 4.30pm)

You are required to visit an assesment centre to look at the necessary adapatations and you may be required to re-take your driving test. More information is available from the DVLA. http://www.dvla.gov.uk/

5. How do I tell DVLA about my medical condition if I am the holder of a current driving licence?
If you are the holder of a current driving licence and have a notifiable medical condition(s), you may download and complete the appropriate questionnaire(s) from section 4 above. The completed questionnaire(s) can then be sent to DVLA via Mail, Fax or as an attachment(s) to an E-mail. If you chose to e-mail the questionnaire(s) you should note that this is not a secure means of communication and that DVLA accepts no responsibility for handling your e-mail until after it is received. You can mail, fax and e-mail your documents to the following address and numbers below:

Drivers Medical Group
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1TU

Fax: 0845 850 0095
e-mail: eftd@dvla.gsi.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can also notify your medical condition(s) by telephone, fax . When contacting us please remember to quote your full name, date of birth and/or driver number (if known), and medical case number if you have one . Please advise us of your specific medical condition(s) in order that you can be sent the appropriate medical questionnaire(s).

Telephone: 0870 600 0301 (Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 4.30pm)
Fax: 0845 850 0095

6. How do I tell DVLA about my medical condition if I am applying for a driving licence?

All driving licence application forms contain a series of health questions and you must declare if you suffer from any of the medical conditions listed. If you do, then you may wish to download and complete the appropriate medical questionnaire from section 4 on the DVLA website, then send it to Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1TU together with your application form. This will help to speed up the processing of your application.

Visit http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dmed1.htm to download the appropriate medical questionnaire.

7. What happens after I have told DVLA about my medical condition?

You will normally need to complete a medical questionnaire. This enables you to provide specific details about your medical condition. The questionnaire also enables you to provide your consent for the Medical Adviser to request medical information from your doctor/s if this is needed.

If at all possible, the DVLA will make a decision based on the information you provide on the questionnaire. However, if further information is required, then the Medical Adviser may:

Visit http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dmed1.htm#5 to download the medical questionnaire.

8. How long will medical enquiries take?
The DVLA aim to complete their enquiries as quickly as possible. The time taken to deal with your particular case will depend on the medical condition you have and the information they have to gather.

If the DVLA can make a decision based on the information you originally provided, they aim to make a decision on 97.5% of cases within 15 working days.
If they need more information about your medical condition, either from you, your doctor, or from other sources, or if you are applying for a lorry or bus licence, they aim to make a decision on 80% of cases within 90 working days.

9.. What are the decisions that can be taken?
Once the Medical Adviser is satisfied that all relevant medical information is available a decision will be taken about your licence in accordance with the medical standards of fitness to drive. The possibilities are:

You may be able to retain your licence or be issued with a new driving licence.
You may be issued with a driving licence for a period of 1,2 or 3 years if the Medical Adviser decides that a review of your medical fitness is required in the future. You will then receive a reminder application prior to the expiry of your driving licence, which explains what you must do to re-apply.
You are issued a driving licence which indicates that special controls need to be fitted to the vehicles you drive to enable you to overcome the effects of a physical disability.
Your licence may be revoked or your application refused. The DVLA will only do this when our enquiries confirm that as a result of your medical condition, you are unable to meet the required medical standards of fitness to drive. If the DVLA have to take this course of action they will:
Provide you with a medical explanation of why the decision was taken. Wherever possible, they will advise you of when you can reapply for your licence and,
Send you a notice which will explain your right of appeal to a Magistrates’ Court if you live in England or Wales, or to a Sheriff Court if you live in Scotland.

10 How do I surrender my driving licence?

The medical standards of fitness to drive are available to all medical practitioners and your own doctor/s may have advised you not to drive, in accordance with these standards. Therefore if you wish to surrender your driving licence and reapply for its restoration at a later date, you will need to  download and complete the declaration (http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dmed1_files/pdf/surrender.pdf) from the DVLA webiste and return it together with your licence to:

Drivers Medical Group
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1TU

Declaration of voluntary surrender

Surrendering your licence removes the need for the DVLA to make formal medical enquiries into your fitness to drive. If medical enquiries are made and these confirm that you cannot meet the required medical standards of fitness to drive, your licence will have to be revoked.

If in the future, following surrender you apply for the restoration of your licence, medical enquiries will need to be made. However whilst these enquiries are being carried out the law provides cover to drive under Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means that as soon as your application is received at DVLA (following voluntary surrender) you may resume driving provided you meet the following criteria:

A valid application is held at the DVLA.
You have not or would not be refused/revoked a licence for medical reasons and you are able to meet the medical standards of fitness to drive. These standards are set down in “At a glance guide to the current standards of Fitness to Drive”. All Medical Practitioners have access to this publication, therefore if you are in any doubt about your ability to meet these standards, you should check with your Doctor before you resume driving.

You must have held a GB or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence.
You keep to any special conditions which may apply to you, and to your licence.
You are not disqualified from driving.