How Soon After Breaking My Foot Can I Drive?

Not being able to drive is a serious hassle, so it’s understandable that you want to get back behind the wheel as soon as possible. The timeline for resuming driving after breaking your foot varies greatly from person to person and depends on several factors. 

Ultimately, you need to talk to a professional health provider — like the board-certified podiatrists at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas — to determine what’s right for you. They consider your recovery process, discuss your driving requirements, and offer their professional advice when it comes to your foot fracture.

Our team works closely with you, developing a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan to support healing and a safe return to driving as soon as possible. Here are some important factors to think about when determining when you can drive again.

Be respectful of the type of fracture

The severity and type of foot fracture and the need for surgery and rehabilitation affect your timeline for returning to driving. Severe fractures may require longer recovery periods before driving is safe.

Note which foot you fractured

If you fracture your right foot, you'll likely need to wait until the bones heal and the cast or walking boot is removed, which typically takes 6-8 weeks. Once your foot is free, you may still require physical therapy to restore strength and mobility before driving. 

For a left-foot fracture, driving may be possible soon after injury if it doesn't interfere with operating the vehicle. Of course, if you drive a car with manual transmission, you’ll still have limitations.

Evaluate your mental clarity

If you’re in significant pain or you’re taking pain medications, you may not be able to drive. Pain sensations and pain medications can impair reaction time and mental clarity.

Note any nerve damage

Nerve damage associated with the fracture can affect sensation, muscle movement, and driving ability. You may need treatments, therapy, and rest to improve nerve function before you can resume driving.

Consider legal issues

While there are no specific laws against driving with a fractured foot, you must be able to control your vehicle safely. You want to be able to stop quickly if a person runs out in front of your car or another vehicle stops abruptly in front of you. 

Driving with impaired foot function could result in charges of negligent or reckless driving. Check with your insurance provider for any policies regarding driving with a broken foot.

Follow your own healing timetable

Factors such as age, overall health, diet, adherence to the recovery plan, and the extent of rest and activity all influence your healing time. When you fail to follow recovery guidelines, it may delay healing or result in incomplete healing. Incomplete healing affects your ability to drive.

If you have any questions or you would like to discuss how soon you can drive again, please schedule a consultation online or over the phone with a provider at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers for help exercising comfortably with bunions.