Ankle surgery - Automatic

TheProfessional

Hi all,

I have had recent left ankle surgery 7 weeks ago and my cast is off and I am undergoing physio. I am still only partial weight bearing and must use crutches when mobilising.
I know myself I wouldn't be able to drive a manual at this stage due to the clutch  however my surgeon and physio both said driving an automatic shouldn't be a problem. 
Is this something that I need to discuss with my insurers or because the surgeon has given me the go ahead and it's an automatic I can carry on ahead?
Any thoughts?
Ta

neilmcl

As the injury to your your left leg has no bearing on the ability to drive an auto you shouldn't need to inform either your insurer or the DVLA in your case.

sweetsand

Dear OP
As a precaution tell your insurance as its only a few minutes call and will put your mind at rest. I think you only tell the dvla if you cant drive for a few months but do a google check.
As the other poster stated you only need the right foot to control the peddals
ATB

AdrianC

You simply don't use your left foot while driving an auto. It's a non-issue.

sweetsand

Mickey666 said:

Ask the doctor to confirm in writing that you are fit to drive an automatic car.

You'll then have taken professional medical advice that the insurance company would find hard to dispute and you certainly couldn't be accused of being negligent.

IMHO the doc won't do that we have a few docs in the family and often discuss requests. 
IMO, the best route is call the ins co and tell them and I'm 99% certain they will say fine and log
call, end of
A bit about the dvla, i dont think they need to be told but nbest to Google Op
Take care

Grumpy_chap

sweetsand said:
do a google check.

sweetsand said:

 but nbest to Google

How do posts suggesting the OP uses an online search engine help? 
If you don't know the answer and can't add anything constructive, then simply ignore the thread.

FWIW, I can't see any reason the OP cannot ask the Dr for a fit note to cover this.

Mercdriver

It gets his post count up.  
I don't think the OP needs to call or do anything other than get an auto.  The insurance company will adjust their price for the auto when the car insured is changed.  No need to inform DVLA at all.

EndlessStruggle

I have had to switch to an automatic due to a left hip issue and I am unable to work a clutch too. 
I think as long as you are fit to drive by DVLA standards/not driving when drowsy from painkillers/over the limit on certain medication then it shouldn't be a problem as you don't use the left leg at all. 
But is worth a quick ask on the live chat/phone to ease your mind with your insurer.
There are many options for the left leg in an auto i.e a rest or not.
I sometimes use the rest and sometimes not.
Have you thought about what car you want?

shaun_from_Africa

sweetsand said:

IMHO the doc won't do that we have a few docs in the family and often discuss requests. 

What about patient confidentiality?

rs65

sweetsand said:

IMO, the best route is call the ins co and tell them and I'm 99% certain they will say fine and log
call, end of

You only need to tell the insurance company if your policy says you need to

onlyfoolsandparking

sweetsand said:

Mickey666 said:

Ask the doctor to confirm in writing that you are fit to drive an automatic car.

You'll then have taken professional medical advice that the insurance company would find hard to dispute and you certainly couldn't be accused of being negligent.

IMHO the doc won't do that we have a few docs in the family and often discuss requests. 
IMO, the best route is call the ins co and tell them and I'm 99% certain they will say fine and log
call, end of
A bit about the dvla, i dont think they need to be told but nbest to Google Op
Take care

EDIT: Neuralyser deployed, nothing to see here, situation normal.