From the Guidelines
Patients in Canada should stop driving for at least one month after a stroke, as per the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) Medical Standards for Drivers, and then undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine their fitness to drive. This assessment, ideally conducted by an occupational therapist, should include evaluations of sensory, motor, and cognitive deficits, such as vision, visual fields, visual attention, reading comprehension, strength, coordination, reaction time, perception, problem-solving, speed of decision making, and judgment 1. After this initial period, patients interested in returning to driving should be screened for any residual deficits that could impact their driving ability, and those with significant impairments may require a full comprehensive driving evaluation, including a government-sanctioned on-road assessment, to determine their fitness to drive 1. Some key points to consider in the assessment include:
- Sensory assessment focusing on vision, visual fields, visual attention, and reading comprehension
- Motor assessment focusing on strength, coordination, and reaction time
- Cognitive assessment focusing on perception, problem-solving, speed of decision making, and judgment Patients can also be referred to training programs, such as simulator-based training, to help prepare for a road test or the resumption of driving 1. It is essential for patients to inform their auto insurance provider about their stroke to ensure continued coverage validity, and many find adaptive driving equipment helpful for safely returning to driving when medically cleared.
From the Research
Driving Restrictions After Stroke in Canada
There is no direct information available in the provided studies regarding driving restrictions after stroke in Canada.
- The studies focus on occupational therapy interventions, cognitive impairment, and rehabilitation after stroke, but do not address driving restrictions specifically 2, 3, 4, 5.
- One study provides guidelines for rehabilitation and recovery following stroke in Canada, but does not mention driving restrictions 6.
- Therefore, there are no research papers among the provided evidence to assist in answering this question about driving restrictions after stroke in Canada.