Driving after a pacemaker

[KMD1]

Hello everyone,

I had a pacemaker fitted three weeks ago. If you have one too, how long did you (have to) wait before driving again?

At my pre-op assessment I was told not to drive for a month (off the record the nurse said two weeks would be enough). Then, on the day, my consultant said just 7 days as per the DVLA rules. I went by how I felt and tried a short drive after two weeks which seemed to set off some symptoms. When I called in to the pacemaker clinic to check as I was a bit worried, I was told I shouldn't drive until my clinic appointment which is not until 1 July!

Aside from the more important point about how I feel, how does this conflicting advice compare with what you did or were told to do? I'd be interested to know as I'm not sure what to do for the best. I live in the countryside and have two small children who need to get to school and back. After three weeks of lifts and favours, it's all wearing a bit thin now....

Many thanks!

[bikerider2022]

Hi, found this on the web: gpnotebook.com/simplepage.c...

[KMD1 in reply to bikerider2022]

thanks

[KMD1]

Thank you - it's really helpful to know you had the same advice.

[Stanley18]

Hi there, are you a member of the Pacemaker UK Facebook group? It’s a very supportive community and especially useful for gathering information and shared experiences from fellow pacers post-procedure.

[KMD1 in reply to Stanley18]

Thanks - I'll try that again. I wasn't allowed in before I had the pacemaker fitted but I haven't tried again since - I appreciate the reminder.

[123Brocastle]

HiFrom memory 6 weeks please look on the dvla website

[KMD1 in reply to 123Brocastle]

Thanks. I have - the DVLA is 7 days.

[123Brocastle in reply to KMD1]

Sorry it was 6 weeks for my hgv

[KMD1 in reply to 123Brocastle]

Yes, that's longer isn't it. I'm just doing the school run in a regular car!

[MarinaT]

I was told 2 weeks, but DVLA told me a week!

[KMD1 in reply to MarinaT]

The DVLA rule is 7 days. I've had three different instructions from the hospital! I was just trying to find out what other people had been told by their medical teams. Thanks for replying.

[Row5]

Hi, I was told a week but I felt I wasn’t ready so waited longer. I was also told to fill in the online form with DVLA then they gave me the go ahead to drive again a few days later plus I informed my car insurance company they just put a note on my records. Good luck with your recovery.

[Bingo88]

Good morning KMD1. I had my pacemaker nearly 3 years ago and had to wait 6 weeks until after my 1st check up. And make sure you tell Dylan. And also your insurance company as well. Hope you can get through the next few weeks. Brian

[KMD1 in reply to Bingo88]

Thank you Brian. Yes, I've done those things too so will see what happens at my check-up. Thanks again.

[Classof1988]

7 days because I had not passed out at any time prior to being fitted with the pacemaker. Four weeks if I had lost consciousness in the run up to the procedure. But also trust what your body is telling you. I walked most of the way up Steep Hill in Lincoln (which is very steep!) around two weeks after surgery but wouldn't recommend something like that unless you really felt well.

[KMD1 in reply to Classof1988]

Thank you. Similarly I wasn't passing out before the procedure so I think that's why I've been surprised by the longer version of the timescales I've been given and may explain why my consultant said less. I know Steep Hill well - my sister lives near the top!

[Guernseycow]

Hy I was told to inform Dvla I had a pacemaker which I did , they sent me a form to fill in which I did . The whole process took from 10 of Jan till late April , but at least they have agreed to let me drive ,part f the delay was probably due to my age,when my husband had his pacemaker it was about a month but then he was only 59 while I was 81 .

[KMD1 in reply to Guernseycow]

Thanks for replying. I've informed the DVLA and my insurance company. I'm 44 and wasn't passing out before the pacemaker was fitted so I hope everyone will be happy about me driving relatively soon. Thanks again.

[EMBoy]

The legal time is 7 days, but you have to inform the DVLA (there is an on-line form for this), and your insurance company. I started driving after about 2 weeks, because my shoulder was still painful.