Can Pregnant Women Take the Driving Test?
2 Answers
Pregnant women can take the driving test, but they need to bear the risks themselves. Driving schools will not oppose pregnant women practicing driving, but they will recommend waiting until after giving birth to start training. Especially during the early stages of pregnancy, the baby is not very stable. Doctors also do not advise pregnant women to practice driving during the early and late stages of pregnancy, as these are both sensitive periods. Excessive fatigue can easily lead to early miscarriage or premature birth in the late stages. Below are some relevant details: 1. During the early stages of pregnancy, if a woman's body is relatively weak, learning to drive can cause emotional tension, leading to lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, which increases the risk of threatened miscarriage. 2. During the mid-to-late stages of pregnancy, due to significant weight gain, learning to drive is not conducive to the health of the mother or the growth and development of the fetus. Therefore, if a woman wants to learn to drive, it is best to do so after the pregnancy period has ended.
I was over six months pregnant when I took my driver's license test, and the whole process went smoothly, though I was initially a bit worried about my physical condition. When I enrolled in the driving school, the instructor just asked for my pregnancy certificate and let me proceed. The test center didn’t impose any extra restrictions either. The examiner, seeing my baby bump, allowed me to take a short break before starting the second part of the test, which was really considerate. The key is that the second trimester is the safest period—I had already passed the early pregnancy symptoms and had more energy. In the first trimester, it’s easy to feel nauseous or drowsy, which might cause dizziness while driving, and in the third trimester, the belly is too big to sit comfortably, affecting steering and braking. During the test, I asked the instructor to adjust the seat and backrest, making sure the seatbelt wasn’t too tight to avoid discomfort for the baby. Overall, I think it’s manageable as long as your doctor confirms there’s no risk of high blood pressure or premature birth. Passing the test also means gaining more freedom! Just remember to choose less crowded times, like early morning or evening, and avoid peak hours.
