If you've had a stroke, one of the first questions you're likely asking is: can I still drive?
The short answer is, not straight away. But for many people, getting back behind the wheel is absolutely possible. It depends on how the stroke has affected you, and the only way to find out for certain is through a formal assessment process.
Here's how it works in Queensland.
You can't drive for at least 4 weeks after a stroke
This isn't optional. Under the Austroads Guidelines (the national medical standards used across Australia), you must not drive for a minimum of 4 weeks following a stroke. This applies regardless of how well you feel.
The waiting period exists because your condition needs time to stabilise. Some effects of a stroke, particularly cognitive ones, can be subtle and may not be immediately obvious to you.
During this time, your neurologist, rehabilitation physician, or GP will monitor your recovery and determine the next steps.
Your doctor decides what happens next
After the non-driving period, your treating doctor assesses your fitness to drive. In Queensland, this is done by completing the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (Form F3712) and submitting it to Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
On this form, your doctor will generally choose one of three options:
Your stroke hasn't significantly affected your ability to drive, and you can return to driving.
It's unclear whether the stroke is affecting your driving ability, and you need an OT driving assessment. This is the most common outcome, because driving is a practical skill and your doctor can't observe you behind the wheel.
The stroke has significantly affected your capacity to drive, and your licence should be cancelled.
Most people end up with the second option: a referral for an OT driving assessment.
What is an OT driving assessment?
An OT driving assessment is a two-part evaluation conducted by a driver-trained occupational therapist working alongside a specialist driving instructor. It looks at how your stroke has affected the specific skills needed for safe driving: your vision, physical ability, thinking skills, and how all of these translate to actual on-road performance.
It's not a standard driving test. The focus isn't on whether you're a perfect driver. It's on whether the effects of your stroke are making driving unsafe.
For a full overview of the assessment, see our guide to what to expect on the day.
Part 1: The off-road (clinical) assessment
This is done at your home. The OT will work through:
Your medical and driving history. The OT will ask about your stroke, your recovery, your medications, and your usual driving patterns. Family members are welcome to contribute.
Vision screening. Visual acuity, visual fields, and other visual skills. Stroke can affect vision in ways that aren't always obvious, for example, you might have lost part of your visual field on one side without realising it.
Cognitive assessment. The OT uses validated tools to assess attention, concentration, processing speed, memory, decision-making, and spatial awareness. These are the thinking skills that underpin safe driving, and they're often the most important area for stroke survivors.
Physical assessment. Strength, range of motion, coordination, and reaction time, particularly if the stroke has affected one side of your body.
Part 2: The on-road assessment
You'll drive for approximately one hour in a dual-controlled vehicle with the OT and a specialist driving instructor, on your local roads.
The OT is specifically watching for how the effects of your stroke show up behind the wheel:
Slower reaction times at intersections
Difficulty scanning for hazards, especially on the affected side
Trouble managing multiple things at once
Difficulty judging gaps in traffic
Reduced awareness of road signs or changing conditions
The OT isn't concerned about minor errors from nervousness or unfamiliarity with the car. What matters is whether the stroke is causing consistent, safety-relevant issues.
What are the possible outcomes?
Fit to drive. The stroke is not currently affecting your driving, and the OT recommends that TMR allow you to keep (or regain) your licence.
Fit to drive with conditions. You may be able to drive, but with restrictions, for example, automatic transmission only, daytime driving only, or within a limited radius.
Driving lessons recommended. If the OT identified specific issues that could improve with practice, they may recommend lessons with a rehabilitation driving instructor, followed by a reassessment.
Vehicle modifications needed. If the stroke has affected your physical ability to operate the car (for example, reduced strength on one side), the OT may recommend equipment such as a steering knob or a left-foot accelerator.
Not fit to drive. If the effects of the stroke are too significant for safe driving, the OT will recommend licence cancellation.
The OT sends a formal report to TMR, your referring doctor, and you. TMR makes the final decision about your licence.
What about driving again in the future?
If your licence is cancelled or you're told to stop driving, that's not necessarily permanent. Stroke recovery can continue for months or even years. If your condition improves, your doctor can refer you for another OT driving assessment down the track.
For people with conditions on their licence, periodic reassessments are usually required to check that you're still driving safely.
Funding your assessment
Several funding pathways may be available depending on your circumstances:
CTP (Compulsory Third Party). If your stroke was related to a motor vehicle accident, your CTP insurer may cover the cost.
WorkCover Queensland. If workplace factors contributed to your stroke, WorkCover may fund the assessment.
NDIS. If you're an NDIS participant and driving supports your independence goals, the assessment may be funded through your plan.
DVA. If you're a Department of Veterans' Affairs cardholder, your assessment may be covered.
Private payment. If none of the above apply, you can self-fund. For current pricing, visit steerdriving.com.au/pricing.
For more detail on funding options, see our Queensland funding guide.
Cross-border note
If you live in Northern NSW (Tweed Heads, Byron, Ballina, Lismore and surrounds), the OT assessment is the same, but the referral goes through Transport for NSW rather than Queensland TMR, and your doctor completes the NSW Fitness to Drive form rather than Form F3712. Steer Driving covers both the Gold Coast and Northern NSW.
How to get referred
Your GP, neurologist, or rehabilitation specialist can refer you. In Queensland, they'll complete Form F3712 and submit it to TMR.
If you've already received your referral and you're looking for a mobile OT driving assessment on the Gold Coast, you can start the process at steerdriving.com.au/referral.
Ready to book an OT driving assessment on the Gold Coast? Steer Driving is a mobile assessment service covering the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. Whether you already have a referral or you're just getting started, get in touch and we'll guide you through the next steps.
This article was written by Elise, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and driver assessor. Elise is the founder of Steer Driving, a mobile OT driving assessment practice.
FAQ Section
Can I drive after a stroke in Queensland? Not immediately. Austroads Guidelines require a minimum 4-week non-driving period after a stroke. After that, your doctor assesses whether you can return to driving or whether you need an OT driving assessment.
How long after a stroke can you drive? At minimum 4 weeks, but many people require longer. It depends on the severity of the stroke and your recovery. Your doctor and OT will guide the timeline.
What form does my doctor complete in Queensland after a stroke? Your doctor completes the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (Form F3712) and submits it to Queensland Transport and Main Roads. This form records their assessment of your fitness to drive.
What does an OT driving assessment involve after a stroke? A two-part assessment: an off-road clinical evaluation (vision, cognition, physical ability) at your home, and a one-hour on-road practical drive in a dual-controlled vehicle with an OT and driving instructor.
Can my licence be cancelled after an OT driving assessment? Yes, if the OT determines that your stroke has made driving unsafe. However, you may be able to be reassessed in the future if your condition improves.
Do you cover Northern NSW as well as the Gold Coast? Yes. Steer Driving covers the Gold Coast and Northern NSW. If you're in Northern NSW, the referral goes through Transport for NSW rather than Queensland TMR.
