We recommend that adults and children over 12 wear face masks when attending our clinic, but no longer provide masks to patients and carers. Videoconsultations are conducted via telehealth at our dedicated virtual clinic. We are experiencing high demand for appointments hence require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment so that we can identify and manage urgent and emergency conditions in a timely manner, and so that our surgeons can assess your suitability for a telehealth appointment and identify any further information or tests that might be required before your consultation. If our surgeons assess that your condition (especially recent injuries) is best managed with hand therapy rather than surgery we may recommend that you see a qualified hand therapist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist) rather than schedule an appointment with our surgeons. Dr Tomlinson does not offer consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply; this includes injections for palmar hyperhidrosis. Dr Tomlinson has scheduled sabbatical leave during much of October, November and December 2023 so will not be available for urgent or emergency referrals during that time.

Driving after hand surgery or hand injury

Created 16 June 2012, last modified 04 March 2020

Can I drive?

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As a driver it is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit to drive. You are accountable for your actions and decisions when driving. So when can you drive after hand surgery or after a hand injury? This is an important question to ask your surgeon. There is not always a simple question to answer, but there are some key things for Victorian drivers to consider.

You are not required to report temporary conditions to VicRoads. However, driving while you are affected by your injury may invalidate your insurance. Please discuss this with your insurance company if you wish to drive.

If you are unable to grip the steering wheel firmly you are not fit to drive. A plaster cast or splint will reduce your range of movement and may render you unfit to drive.

You must not drive for 24 hours after receiving sedation or general anaesthesia. capsules 200x150

If the medications that you are taking affect your reaction time or your ability to think clearly then you are not fit to drive.

Vehicles, injuries and patients vary. Severity of injury, hand dominance, power steering and transmission type (manual or automatic) all impact upon your ability to drive with a hand injury. If there is a reasonable likelihood that you will be unable to control the vehicle and act or react to the driving environment, you are not fit to drive.

Do I have to notify VicRoads?

You are required by law to notify VicRoads if you have, or develop, a permanent or long term injury or illness that may affect your ability to drive safely. If you continue to drive and have a crash:
-   you may be charged with driving offences and failing to notify VicRoads of your condition
-   you may be sued under common law
-   you may not be covered by your insurance
-   there may be long term financial and legal consequences

Private vs. commercial vehicle drivers

Different standards apply for drivers of private and commercial vehicles. Professional drivers (such as bus and truck drivers) must meet higher medical standards because of the demands of their work, the extensive hours spent on the road and the likelihood of more serious consequences in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

A person who does not meet the health or medical requirements to drive a commercial vehicle may still be eligible to drive a private vehicle.

If you are not fit to drive but you continue to drive your doctor may notify the driver licensing authority directly if he or she feels that your condition poses a significant threat to public safety.

Permanent or long term injury

If you have a permanent or long term injury you may require an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment to determine whether you are fit to drive. For more information on this please refer to the VicRoads Guide to Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment booklet.

Additional Resources for Medical Practitioners

Assessing Fitness to Drive (for commercial and private vehicles)

Contact Details for VicRoads:
VicRoads
60 Denmark Street, Kew VIC 3101
Phone: (03) 9854 2666
Email: ccslicence@roads.vic.gov.au
Web: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

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