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Recovering After Lower Limb Amputation

Driving a Vehicle

Having a limb amputation may affect your ability to drive. In Alberta, it is your legal responsibility to inform Alberta Transportation, Driver Fitness and Monitoring of any changes to your health that could affect your ability to drive.

Things to think about

  • You may need special equipment or vehicle adaptations such as a left foot accelerator pedal or hand controls before you can drive.
  • It’s not always safe to drive with a prosthesis.
  • If you have numbness or tingling in your foot or leg, it may not be safe to drive with that limb.
  • You may need to complete a road test and lessons to learn how to drive safely after a limb amputation.

Contact Alberta Transportation

Contact Alberta Transportation’s Driver Fitness and Monitoring to report a change in health status by visiting an Alberta Registry location or by calling Alberta Transportation toll free: 310-0000. Once you have let Alberta Transportation know of a change in your health status, you will be contacted by mail and asked to give medical documents about your heath.

This may include a Medical Examination for Motor Vehicle Operators form that your doctor needs to complete. This form is available online, at your doctor’s office or at any Alberta Registry office. Your doctor may charge a fee to complete the form.

When Alberta Transportation has the information they need, they will send you a letter to let you know if you can start driving again or if you need to do a road test to check your ability to drive. If you need a road test, you can schedule one at an Alberta Registry office.

More information about Driver Fitness and Monitoring can be found at Driver Fitness Monitoring.

Driver assessments

Alberta Transportation or your physician may also ask you to have a test to check your ability to drive (called a functional or comprehensive driving assessment). These assessments are done by an occupational therapist, driving rehabilitation specialist, or an independent assessment agency. There may be a fee for this assessment. The assessment will give you information about your ability to drive and suggestions for vehicle adaptations that will help you drive safely.

Note: If you need a left foot accelerator pedal or hand controls in your vehicle, these changes must be done before you take a road test.

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