It is an offence to drive within 24 hours of receiving a general anaesthetic, sedation, or taking strong pain medication. Your car insurance will likely not be valid during this time.
Please arrange for someone to collect you from hospital after your operation. If you cannot arrange this, you may need to stay overnight in hospital, or your operation may be cancelled.
If you have only had local anaesthetic without sedation, you may be able to drive home as long as your driving is not affected by your procedure. For example:
• If you have had surgery on your arms or legs, you must only drive if you are able to safely have full control the vehicle and perform an emergency stop.
• If you have had eye surgery, you must only drive once your eyesight has returned to normal.
Your surgical and anaesthetic team can give you further information on driving after surgery. Further information on driving when you have pain and are taking strong painkillers is available from the Faculty of Pain Medicine by clicking the link below.
Information for Patients on Driving and Pain