When Can You Drive After a Concussion? A Kansas City Guide to Safe Return Behind the Wheel

When Can You Drive After a Concussion? A Kansas City Guide to Safe Return Behind the Wheel

After a concussion, most people are eager to return to their normal routine—including getting back behind the wheel. But driving is a complex task that requires quick reflexes, concentration, visual coordination, and split-second decision-making. If any of those systems are still impaired, driving could put you—and others—at serious risk.

At our Kansas City clinic, we help patients from Overland Park, Raytown, Liberty, Shawnee, Blue Springs, and Lee’s Summit determine when it’s safe to drive again after a head injury, and we use objective tools to support that decision.

Why Driving After a Concussion Can Be Dangerous

Concussions affect much more than just memory or balance. Brain injuries can impair:

• Reaction time

• Attention and focus

• Visual tracking and depth perception

• Coordination between eyes, hands, and feet

• Judgment and decision-making

Even mild deficits in these areas can lead to delayed braking, swerving, missed signs, or slower response to sudden changes in traffic.

Many post-concussion patients in North Kansas City, Gladstone, Parkville, and The Plaza report they felt “almost normal” until they tried to drive and realized their brain wasn’t ready.

Common Symptoms That May Interfere With Driving

You should not drive if you’re experiencing:

• Blurred or double vision

• Light sensitivity

• Headache or nausea during motion

• Dizziness when turning your head

• Slowed thinking or reaction time

• Trouble concentrating or staying alert

• Difficulty tolerating busy environments

Driving with any of these symptoms could lead to accidents—even if you “feel okay” at rest.

When Is It Safe to Return to Driving?

There is no universal timeline, but most guidelines suggest waiting until you can:

• Tolerate screen time and multitasking without symptoms

• Pass vestibular and visual exams (like VOMS testing)

• React quickly and consistently under stress

• Maintain focus for 30+ minutes without cognitive fatigue

Some providers may use reaction time testing, neurocognitive assessments (like CNS Vital Signs or DANA), or driving simulation tools to help guide this decision.

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare provider before resuming driving after a concussion.

How to Ease Back Into Driving

Once you’ve been cleared:

1. Start in low-stress environments (quiet streets, no rush hour)

2. Avoid nighttime or bad weather at first

3. Limit drive times to 10–15 minutes initially

4. Don’t drive if you’re tired or symptomatic

5. No multitasking—put your phone away, skip loud music, and stay focused

If symptoms come back while driving, pull over safely and stop. That’s a signal you need more recovery time.

What If Driving Anxiety Persists?

It’s common to feel anxious about returning to driving—especially if your symptoms lasted a while or if your injury involved a car accident. We help patients across Independence, Grandview, Belton, and Overland Park rebuild confidence through:

• Vestibular and visual retraining

• Cognitive rehab and reaction time drills

• Gradual exposure with supervised or supported re-entry

In some cases, we may recommend a driving rehab specialist to evaluate safety in real-world conditions.

Helping Kansas City Patients Drive With Confidence Again

If you’ve had a concussion and aren’t sure if it’s safe to drive, don’t guess. We offer comprehensive evaluations that include visual, vestibular, and cognitive testing so you can make an informed, safe decision about getting back behind the wheel.

Call Dr. Lance Stevenson at 816-226-7476 to schedule your post-concussion evaluation and get a personalized plan for returning to work, school, sports—and driving.

Special thanks to Complete Concussions for their training and educational resources. To learn more about comprehensive concussion treatment options, visit completeconcussions.com.

Disclaimer:

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. If you have experienced a concussion or other injury, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Always follow the advice and treatment plan given by your medical professional.

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