When can I drive again after a pacemaker or ICD?

There is usually a driving pause after implant, typically shorter after a pacemaker and longer after an ICD, and a further pause after any ICD shock or blackout. The exact rules depend on your situation, device and licence type. Do not drive until your cardiologist and the traffic authority have cleared you.

Do the driving rules in Singapore match other countries?

Not necessarily. Driving rules differ from country to country and by licence type. Do not assume a rule from elsewhere applies here. Ask your cardiologist about your situation and check the current requirements with the Singapore Traffic Police, and do not drive until properly cleared.

What if my ICD shocks me while driving?

Pull over and stop safely as soon as you can rather than continuing. A further period without driving is usually required after a shock, and you should be reassessed before driving again. Report the shock to your device team. If you feel unwell after a shock, or get more than one, call 995.

Driving & Travel with a Pacemaker or ICD

Q: Can I fly with a pacemaker or ICD?

Yes. The device is not affected by being on an aircraft. If your implant was very recent, discuss timing with your team. At the airport, tell security you have a cardiac device, show your card, walk through at a normal pace or request a hand search, and a wand should not be held over the device.

Q: How should I prepare to travel?

Carry your device identification card and a list of your medicines, keep your latest device details with you, arrange travel insurance that declares your heart condition and device, and find out how to reach cardiology care at your destination. Your team can advise on timing.

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 28 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Two questions come up quickly after getting a pacemaker or ICD: when can I drive again, and can I still travel. Both have clear, manageable answers, but driving rules in particular are specific to your situation and your country, so the golden rule is to be guided by your cardiologist and the local authority rather than by anything you read in general. This guide explains the principles and how to prepare for travel.

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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

This is general information and does not replace your team’s advice or the law. Do not drive until your cardiologist and the traffic authority have cleared you, especially after an ICD implant or a shock. If an ICD shocks you and you feel unwell, or you get more than one shock, call 995. Carry your device identification card when you travel.

Driving restrictions exist

There is usually a period after a pacemaker or ICD implant during which you should not drive, to make sure you are stable and the device is working well. Restrictions are typically shorter after a pacemaker and longer after an ICD, and a further period without driving is usually required after an ICD delivers a shock or after any faint or blackout. The reason is safety, both yours and other road users’, in case of a sudden change in your heart rhythm at the wheel.

Why the rules vary

Driving rules depend on several things: the type of device, the reason for an ICD (whether it was fitted after a dangerous rhythm or to prevent one), whether you have had a shock or a blackout, and the type of licence, since rules for professional or vocational drivers of buses and lorries are much stricter than for a private car. Because of all this, there is no single answer that fits everyone, and the rules also differ from country to country.

In Singapore: ask your cardiologist and the authority

For a Singapore reader, the important message is practical: do not assume a rule you have read about from another country applies here, and do not drive until you have been properly cleared. Ask your cardiologist about your specific situation, and check the current requirements with the Singapore Traffic Police, as vocational and private licences differ. Your cardiology team will tell you when it is safe to resume, and you should follow that advice and the law precisely. This protects you, your passengers and everyone else on the road, and driving before you are cleared can also affect your insurance. It is frustrating to wait, but the restriction is temporary for most people and exists for good reason.

Driving after a shock

If your ICD delivers a shock, a further period without driving is usually required, and you should be reassessed before driving again, because a shock means the device has treated a dangerous rhythm. If you feel a warning that a shock may be coming, or you receive one while driving, pull over and stop safely as soon as you can rather than continuing. Report any shock to your device team, and do not resume driving until you have been advised it is safe.

Flying

Having a pacemaker or ICD does not stop you flying, and the device is not affected by being on an aircraft. If your implant was very recent, discuss the timing of a flight with your team. At the airport, tell security you have a cardiac device and show your device identification card, following the same approach as the security section of our interference guide: walk through at a normal pace, or request a hand search, and a wand should not be held over the device.

Preparing for a trip

A little preparation makes travel easy. Carry your device identification card and a written list of your medicines, and keep your latest device details with you. Arrange travel insurance that declares your heart condition and your device, or it may not be valid, and find out in advance how you would reach cardiology care at your destination if you needed it. With these in place, people with cardiac devices travel widely and confidently, from short trips to long-haul holidays. A little planning before you go means you can relax once you are there and simply enjoy the trip like anyone else, whether it is a short weekend getaway nearby or a longer journey to the other side of the world. Keeping your device identification card and a written note of your device details in your hand luggage is a simple habit that is well worth building. In Singapore, your cardiology team can advise on timing and on any device details to carry, and 995 is the emergency number here.

Sources

NHS – Pacemaker implantation: nhs.uk
GOV.UK – Pacemakers and driving (UK example): gov.uk
GOV.UK – Defibrillators (ICD) and driving (UK example): gov.uk
Arrhythmia Alliance – Patient resources: heartrhythmalliance.org

General information only. This guide supports, but does not replace, the advice of your cardiology team, who fit and program your device and tailor your care. Always carry your device identification card, and tell any doctor, dentist, surgeon or radiographer that you have a cardiac device before any procedure or scan. Never assume an MRI is safe. Call 995 if an ICD delivers a shock and you feel unwell (chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness or fainting), if you receive more than one shock in a short time, or if someone with a device collapses: start CPR and call 995, as it is safe to touch them. Do not drive until your cardiologist and the traffic authority have cleared you. If you are struggling emotionally, you are not alone: the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771.

Driving, Travel & Your Cardiac Device (Singapore)