Can you drive after a concussion?
Reviewed November 2026 by Online Concussion Clinic, a Perth-based telehealth concussion physiotherapy service. How this site is run
Short answer
Don't drive after a suspected concussion until a health professional says it's safe. Concussion can slow your reaction time and concentration even when you feel OK. If you were knocked out, the Australian fitness-to-drive guidelines say not to drive for at least 24 hours.
Why concussion affects driving
Driving needs quick reactions, good concentration, clear vision and the ability to judge speed and distance. Concussion can affect all of these, sometimes without you noticing. Dizziness, blurred vision, headache and tiredness also make driving less safe.
On the day of the injury
- Don't drive yourself home, or to the doctor or hospital. Go with a responsible adult.
- After any loss of consciousness, don't drive for at least 24 hours, as recommended in the national Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines.
Before you drive again
- Your symptoms have settled, especially dizziness, blurred vision and poor concentration
- You can turn your head comfortably to check blind spots
- You're not taking medication that makes you drowsy
- A doctor or physiotherapist with concussion training has said it's OK
Start with short, familiar drives in quiet traffic. If you drive for work, or hold a commercial licence, check with your doctor before returning.
Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is:
- Loss of consciousness, or getting drowsier or harder to wake
- A seizure or convulsion
- Severe or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
- Increasing confusion, agitation, restlessness or unusual behaviour
- A visible deformity of the skull
For children, the emergency department at Perth Children's Hospital (Nedlands) is open 24 hours. If you're unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours) for nurse advice.
Find concussion care in Perth
Browse verified concussion providers across Perth — physiotherapists, GPs and neuropsychologists — and use the map to find one close to home. You don't need a referral to see a physiotherapist privately.
Where this information comes from
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport – Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023;57:695–711. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2023-106898
- Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6), from the same conference.
- Australian Institute of Sport. Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement 2024, and the Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport. ausport.gov.au/concussion
- Austroads and the National Transport Commission. Assessing Fitness to Drive (head injury). austroads.gov.au
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Your own health professional's advice comes first, and your sport or school may have its own concussion rules.