How soon can I drive after surgery?

After a general anaesthetic, your coordination and judgement are temporarily affected, so you must not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery, or sign legal documents for at least 24 hours. There’s no fixed rule for when you can safely start driving again, as it depends on how well you recover. You must be able to perform an emergency stop, sit comfortably in the driving position, and move without pain or restriction. Most people need to avoid driving for at least a week, and often closer to 10 days. Your consultant will be able to advise you on when you can safely return to driving.