Return to Driving Plan

Return to Driving Plan

One of the first activities most stroke survivors wish to do is return to driving. Most physicians report stroke to the DMV and therefore your driver’s license might be suspended. It is highly recommended that the stroke survivor talks to his/her doctor before going back to driving. • If you are notified by the DMV that your driver’s license was suspended, a driver’s evaluation will be required. A detailed description of this evaluation and training process is set forth below. • If your driver’s license was not suspended, it is highly recommended that the stroke survivor talk to his/her doctor and be evaluated by a professional evaluator before going back to driving. This Resource Directory provides a listing of several evaluators. See page 23. • If the stroke survivor has left-sided neglect, even if his/her driver’s license was not suspended, it is of paramount importance for him/her to be seen by a neurologist and receive driver training before he/she starts driving again. Left-sided neglect is more common in people with right hemisphere brain injury.

The following instructions apply for those individuals who have been notified by DMV that their driver’s license has been suspended: 1. Obtain a prescription from your doctor for a driving evaluation by a professional evaluator (this is not a requirement). 2. Have your doctor complete the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Driver Medical Evaluation Form-DMV form DS-326. This form can be requested from your DMV Driver Safety office or you can download it at www. dmv.ca.gov. 3. On form DS-326, you may check boxes that request a permit to allow you to practice driving with a licensed evaluator or instructor and/or to drive with any licensed driver over 25 years of age. 4. Return the completed form DS-326 to the DMV Driver Safety Office by certified mail, fax or drop off. 5. After the DMV receives this form, they will notify you for a re-examination. This takes place in the Driver Safety Office of the DMV. The result of this evaluation will come within 15 days. Obtaining a temporary permit allows you to drive with a licensed evaluator or instructor, or any licensed driver over 25 years of age with a valid license. 6. Once you have been notified by mail from the DMV, contact a driving instructor/evaluator to schedule an evaluation. This Resource Booklet provides a listing of several evaluators. 7. With a prescription from your doctor and a driving permit, the evaluator will conduct an evaluation of your driving abilities. Fees vary by provider. The driving evaluator will then: (a) provide a written evaluation, (b) recommend the needed hours of driver training, and (c) recommend adaptive equipment and/or modification of your automobile. 8. Following the evaluation, you should use a driving instructor for training. 9. After the training and with a driving permit, practice driving with a friend or family member, using adaptive equipment, if necessary, in your own vehicle. 10. Contact the DMV Driver Safety Office (Driver Safety Offices phone numbers are below) to schedule an appointment for a driving test with the DMV. If adaptive equipment is needed, be sure it is installed prior to the test. The driving test for individuals with disabilities is longer and evaluators may conduct the test on any route.

www.PacificStrokeAssociation.org support@psastroke.org – (650) 565-8485 22