I'm now 6 weeks post THR and I've just taken delivery of a new car. I called my insurance company and informed them of my THR and they said that they would go on the advice of "the doctor". I'm not due to see my surgeon for another 4 weeks and the first appointment with my doctor is in about 2 weeks time and I'm desperate to get behind the wheel. The annoying thing is that it's an automatic and I'll only be using my good leg.
Have other people in the UK had to get written sign off by a doctor before they could drive?
Regards
Norm
I just ad the written comment at post op 7 week check that I could drive as long as I was happy about doing an emergency stop. Some others had to get more formal permission I think that as you mentioned to insurance company you may have to abide by what they said. Alternatively could you get a short notice appointment with GP to get the required signature? What does the DVLC website state?
Here’s hoping you are not frustrated for much longer
Insurance companies are legalized crime in the US. I wold never volunteer anything, especially regarding a health issue to to an Auto insurance agent.
Check with your surgeon's secretary my surgeon told me I could have driven if I had an automatic car as like you had my left leg done
Hi Norm
I had left THR 12 weeks ago and have an automatic car. Even before my op the physios said that I could drive as soon as I felt OK after surgery. My surgeon confirmed this when I saw him just after my op.
However due to stiffness and discomfort I did not start driving until about 3 weeks. I must confess that I was a bit remiss and did not contact my insurance company. As always they will take the overcautious approach and demand a fitness to drive letter.
If you feel OK then have a go in a safe area at first. Since you have alerted your insurer then I guess you will have to comply - see if you can get an earlier GP appointment. He will charge probably for the letter
Dear nfmiller
Can you not just be seen by any doctor in the practice? Normally the criteria is how quickly you can get your foot onto the brake pedal and the pressure you can apply.
Cheers Richard
Unfortunately Maggie, there's no such thing as a short notice appointment with our GP practice. You have to give them 2 weeks notice that you're going to be ill - earliest appointment I could get was 13th Feb!
Thanks Ann. I contact the sec this morning and she says that they don't give formal sign offs to anyone. As a general rule they say that after 6 weeks you should be fine provided that you can do an emergency stop, but that it's really done to the individual. I contacted the insurance company again, passed on this information, explained that it was an automatic and that I'd only be using the good leg and they seem to be OK with it. So I'm going to take the car out. It's now started to pour with rain, so I've come back in!
Hi, thanks for the info. See comment above, I think I've reached agreement with the insurance co.
Hi Richard, as I said above, it's just not possible to get a quick appointment with our practice. However, after speaking with the surgeons sec, I think I've managed to convince the insurance co that I'm OK. The impression I got was that no one wants to sign you off and that only you know when you're ready to drive.
Hi Richard, as I said above, it's just not possible to get a quick appointment with our practice. However, after speaking with the surgeons sec, I think I've managed to convince the insurance co that I'm OK. The impression I got was that no one wants to sign you off and that only you know when you're ready to drive.
Duck, you are correct. Never volunteer info. I have had USAA Insurance for 46 years they are the best.
My surgeon suggested I try driving in a quite area at a time when there wouldn't be too much traffic just to get my confidence back. If however you live in the north of the UK today is not a good day to practice. Good luck
Thanks Ann. I live in the South but it's not a good day here, either!
It is good. I still have it after 40 years, my 89 year old mother has it, my wife has it, my brothers have it. We just use it for our Homeowners here in Spain.
If you’re in an accident, and it turns out you have an undisclosed notifiable medical condition, this could have the potential to invalidate your claim.
In my case, I did not drive until my surgeon cleared me, and he said I had to be 6 weeks post-op and able to walk without a stick before he would allow it. His reasoning was that it's not the amount of pressure needed to perform an emergency stop, but the speed of being able to get your foot off the accelerator and onto the brake pedal. He did not provide any written evidence that he had cleared me.
In the UK, the DVLA is the authority, and looking on the website they say "If your surgery was for a hip or knee replacement, follow the process for a limb disability." and the process is "Fill in form G1 and send it to DVLA."
This form is used for AIDS, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, brachial plexus, cancer, learning difficulties, limb disability, paraplegia, spinal problems, and any persisting issues which can affect movement.
Graham
Hello nfmiller
I am in Australia and was told not to drive for 8 weeks post op. It probably depends on the surgery and if more had to be done such as spurring & inserting a plate etc. If you have an accident then the insurance company could refuse to pay out without the clearance from you doctor.