Disclaimer: Human Health is a health tracking platform and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare provider about any questions you have regarding your health or medical conditions.

Driving with POTS can be stressful when symptoms shift from day to day, and it is hard to predict how you will feel once you sit behind the wheel. 

If you are searching for answers about whether you can drive with POTS, the simple explanation is that some people do drive with POTS, but only when their symptoms feel stable and a healthcare professional has confirmed that driving is safe for them. 

In this article, we explore how symptoms may affect driving, the situations where caution is important, and practical tips that some people use to prepare. The goal is to help you understand what to pay attention to so you can make safer, more confident decisions.

Can you drive with POTS?

There is no single rule about whether people with POTS can or cannot drive. 

Research shows that POTS symptoms can affect activities that require both physical and mental focus, including driving, but the impact is different for each person. Because POTS can reduce blood flow to the brain, some people may experience slower reaction times or other cognitive problems. It's important to talk regularly with a healthcare professional about whether or not it's safe to drive with your POTS symptoms.

Because symptoms can change from day to day, some people with POTS may choose to avoid driving during times when dizziness, fatigue, or cognitive fog feel more severe. Tracking symptoms may help you notice patterns and understand when driving feels safer, so you can make informed decisions with your healthcare professional.

How POTS symptoms can affect driving

POTS symptoms can influence both the physical and cognitive abilities needed for safe driving. Some people experience a mix of cognitive changes, fatigue, and symptoms related to reduced blood flow - like dizziness and light-headedness - that may make driving feel more challenging. Being aware of these patterns can help guide safer decisions.

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By understanding how these symptoms manifest, individuals can plan driving around times when symptoms are more manageable and discuss safety concerns with a healthcare professional.

Risks of driving with POTS

Driving may feel more challenging for some people with POTS because certain symptoms can affect attention, awareness, and reaction time. Understanding these risks can help people make safer choices and discuss concerns with a healthcare professional.

Dizziness and light-headedness

Some people with POTS may experience dizziness or light-headedness, which can make it harder to maintain focus and control while driving.

Confusion or changes in awareness

Episodes of confusion may affect quick decision-making, which is essential for reacting to traffic or unexpected situations.

Impact on road safety

POTS symptoms like a fast heart rate and reduced blood flow to the brain can slow your reaction time and make it harder to think clearly. These issues may affect driving safety, so it’s important to discuss your situation with a healthcare professional.

Legal and insurance considerations

People may also consider how driving with symptoms that affect alertness or stability could influence legal responsibilities or insurance if an accident occurs. 

Considering these factors can support safer, more informed decisions.

Safety tips for people driving with POTS

Driving with POTS can feel difficult at times, and some people find that planning ahead helps them feel more prepared. The tips below reflect strategies you could use after being cleared to drive by your medical team. We’ve also included a few quotes from POTS community groups  on Reddit. 

Use supportive garments if recommended

Compression garments can help some people with POTS feel more steady when driving. They work by preventing blood from pooling in the legs, helping your body maintain better blood flow to the brain. This can reduce dizziness and support clearer thinking while you’re on the road.

“Compression socks or leggings. If you can, doing some sitting leg exercises to get the blood pumping, like heel raises or seated clams.”

Stay hydrated and bring fluids

Drinking enough fluids before and during a drive can help your body keep better blood flow and support a more stable heart rate. This may reduce dizziness, lightheadedness, and slow thinking while you’re on the road. It can help to drink water before you leave and keep a bottle within easy reach so you can stay hydrated on longer trips.

“Hydrate!! Even more than you think you need to.”

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Avoid large meals beforehand

Avoiding large meals before driving is one approach some people may use to reduce symptom flare-ups. Lighter snacks before travel may also help you feel more comfortable during the drive. 

Choose calmer driving routes

Choosing back roads instead of highways may help reduce stress or give you more control over your pace, or use quieter routes that let you stop more easily if you need a moment to regroup. 

Do not drive when symptoms feel severe

You may wish to avoid driving when symptoms are severe and consider alternate transportation. Being mindful of how symptoms change throughout the day may help guide decisions about when to drive. 

“If I have an adrenaline dump while driving, I try my best to safely pull over and wait for it to reside and if it doesn't reside in an appropriate amount of time I will ask someone else to drive if they are in the car or I will call for a ride. I am not going to be putting others at risk because of my health concerns.”

Take breaks and use supportive strategies

Taking regular breaks during a drive can help you manage symptoms by giving your body time to reset. Supportive breathing techniques may also help you stay calm and steady if you start to feel lightheaded or overwhelmed.

Some people also carry a POTS “to-go” bag. This is a small kit with items that help manage symptoms, such as water, electrolyte packets, snacks, salt tablets (if recommended), cooling wipes, or any medications your doctor has approved. Having these supplies ready can make driving feel safer and more predictable.

Track symptoms to spot patterns

Tracking symptoms may help people notice patterns or triggers that affect how they feel while driving. Logging these details over time can support discussions with a healthcare professional about driving readiness. 

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When to avoid driving with POTS

There are times when people with POTS may need to avoid driving, especially if symptoms feel unpredictable or difficult to control. Clinical guidance suggests that driving should be paused when symptoms are unstable or a specialist has not confirmed that driving is safe. 

Some resources also note that when symptoms worsen, become severe, or make it hard to stay alert, choosing an alternate mode of transportation may be safer. Taking regular breaks, resting in a reclined position, and being a passenger instead of a driver are approaches some people use when symptoms fluctuate. 

Planning ahead and speaking with a healthcare professional can support safer decisions about when to drive.

Record all your symptoms and changes inside the Human Health app

Tracking how your symptoms shift throughout the day can make decisions about driving feel clearer and less overwhelming. When you log dizziness, fatigue, or moments when driving feels harder, you may start to notice patterns that can support conversations with a healthcare professional. 

The Human Health app gives you a simple place to record these changes and understand what affects your driving confidence over time.

References

Williams SA. The Impact of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) on Occupational Performance. Open Journal of International Health Policy. 2022. https://repository.ulm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=ojihp

Mitchell GD, et al. Postural tachycardia syndrome is associated with significant symptoms that impact on quality of life. BMJ Open. 2014;4(6):e004127. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/6/e004127

Eftekhari H. Review of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a predominantly female condition. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing. 2019. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjca.2019.0090

Awareness4POTSies Organization. Driving With POTS. 2024. https://www.awarenessforpotsies.org/driving-with-pots

Cornerstone Physiotherapy Team. Travelling with POTS: Tips for Trips by Car or Plane. 2025. https://cornerstonephysio.com/resources/tips-for-travelling-with-pots/

Heart Rhythm Society. 2015 Heart Rhythm Society Expert Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, and Vasovagal Syncope. 2015. https://www.hrsonline.org/resource/2015-heart-rhythm-society-expert-consensus-statement-diagnosis-and-treatment-postural-tachycardia

Lau D.H. et al. Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Performance in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2020. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.017861

Government of the United Kingdom. Neurological disorders: assessing fitness to drive. GOV.UK. Published 11 March 2016; Last updated 7 November 2025. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neurological-disorders-assessing-fitness-to-drive

r/POTS, Reddit, accessed via comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/POTS/comments/17epmdi/comment/k64tddy/.

Disclaimer: Human Health is a health tracking platform and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information on this site is intended to support, not replace, conversations with qualified healthcare professionals.

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