Driving After Surgery: Rules You Should Know

Written by Ian BeevisUpdated 3 August 20252 min read

If you’ve recently had surgery and plan to get back behind the wheel, it’s important to know how it affects your car insurance. In the UK, you must be fit to drive, and in some cases, you’re required to notify both the DVLA and your insurer, especially if the surgery impacts your ability to control a vehicle.

Failing to disclose relevant medical information could invalidate your policy and make any future claim more difficult.

Key points

When You Can Legally Drive After Surgery

There’s no universal “wait time” after surgery, it depends on:

The type of surgery (e.g. major abdominal, orthopaedic, or eye surgery)
Advice from your doctor or surgeon
Your ability to perform emergency stops and operate the vehicle safely

If you’re unsure, check with your doctor first. You should only drive when you can do so safely and without impairments.

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Do I Need to Tell My Insurance Company?

You may need to inform your car insurer if:

You’re advised not to drive for a significant period
The surgery could affect your mobility, reaction time, or awareness
You’ve developed a new medical condition as a result of surgery

Insurers assess risk based on your current health. Not informing them of relevant changes could risk policy cancellation or claim denial.

Do I Need to Tell the DVLA?

Yes, in certain cases. You must tell the DVLA if your surgery leads to:

A long-term medical condition
A temporary inability to drive safely (some conditions require a minimum notification period)
The use of mobility aids or prosthetics that affect driving

Check the DVLA’s medical conditions list or speak to your GP if unsure.

Surgeries That Commonly Require Driving Breaks

Hip or knee replacements – usually 6–8 weeks off driving
Abdominal surgery – varies, but often 2–6 weeks recovery
Cataract surgery – typically 1–2 weeks if vision is stable
Cardiac surgery – driving is usually restricted for at least 4 weeks

Always follow medical advice and only resume driving when it’s safe.

Can I drive if I still feel groggy from anaesthetic or medication?

No. You should not drive under the influence of strong painkillers or while recovering from anaesthesia.

Will driving after surgery affect my insurance premium?

Not usually, unless the surgery results in a long-term health issue that increases driving risk.

What if I’m caught driving too soon after surgery?

If you’re not fit to drive, you could be charged with careless or dangerous driving, and your insurer may refuse to pay out in the event of an accident.

Should I inform my insurer even if my doctor says I’m fit to drive?

If the surgery was significant or affected your driving ability for more than a few weeks, it’s best to let them know.

In Summary

Only drive after surgery when you’re physically safe and cleared by a doctor
You may need to notify your insurer if your condition affects your ability to drive
The DVLA must be informed of long-term or serious changes to your health
Failing to disclose medical information could invalidate your insurance

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