Can you drive with a moon boot in Australia?

Injuries can often be a major disruption to your life – sometimes preventing you from conducting your daily activities and having independence.

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As anyone unlucky enough to have broken a bone will know, a cast or moon boot can prevent you from showering, walking, swimming and even driving.

But what do Australia's road rules say about getting behind the wheel with a moon boot or cast on your leg or foot? Here's what you need to know.

No state or territory in Australia has a specific road rule preventing drivers from getting behind the wheel while wearing a moon boot, but they all employ the same rule about maintaining proper control of a motor vehicle – which could come into play if you're involved in a car accident.

Regulation 297 of the Australian Road Rules states, "A driver must not drive a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle".

If it's found a moon boot or cast prevented you from maintaining control of your car's accelerator, brakes or steering, you could face substantial penalties.

As well as consulting a medical professional about your fitness to drive, common sense should prevail – particularly for people driving a car with a manual transmission.

"Casts on your legs or feet can stop you from safely using the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals," the NSW Government advises.

"If you have a cast on your arm or hand, you may still be able to drive. However, you must be able to operate all vehicle controls and have a hand on the steering wheel at all times.

"It may not be possible for you to drive a manual vehicle with a cast. You need to be able to safely change gears while keeping one hand on the steering wheel."

This one's easy: Ask your doctor.

No matter where in Australia you live, your ability to safely drive with a cast or moon boot on a fractured leg, foot, arm or hand is a matter for your medical professional to decide.

"If you have a cast for a fractured leg, arm, hand or another injury, talk to your doctor about whether you can drive," the NSW Government's official website advises.

Victoria's road authorities have a similar stance, explaining, "If you have a temporary disability (such as a broken arm or leg), you may be able to keep driving, but it’s important to make sure you’re able to drive safely. Speak to your doctor to find out if it’s safe for you to drive". 

Because a broken limb is a temporary condition, your driver's licence will not be impacted, nor do you have to inform your state or territory's road authority (unless it becomes a permanent condition).

However, you should consider your doctor's advice legally binding and ensure you have the right documentation to support their stance in case you are pulled over by police or involved in an accident.

Healthcare professionals will typically assess your condition against the Assessing Fitness to Drive standards observed by the Commonwealth, state and territory Transport Ministers.

According to these standards, "The treating health professional should provide suitable advice to such patients about driving safely including recommended periods of abstinence from driving, particularly for commercial vehicle drivers.

"Such advice should consider the likely impact of the patient’s condition and their specific circumstances on the driving task as well as their specific driving requirements."

In summary: If your doctor says you can drive with a moon boot, you can drive – just make sure you get a doctor's certificate officially stating that. If your doctor says you can't drive with a moon boot, don't drive.