Question: I was planning to begin driving lessons this month but I just found out I’m six weeks pregnant. Is it safe for pregnant women to drive, or should I wait until after my baby is born?
Answer:
Congratulations! Pregnancy comes with a long list of dos and don’ts, so it’s natural that you wonder whether you can drive when you’re expecting. Generally, it’s considered safe for pregnant women to drive through the third trimester as long as they can comfortably operate the vehicle.
But even if it’s safe to drive when you’re pregnant, you may want to take a few precautions before you hit the road:
Talk to your doctor
Every pregnancy is different, and talking to your doctor about what’s safe for you is important. In some cases, your doctor may advise that it’s not safe for you to drive due to specific medical conditions, like a history of seizures or high blood pressure. It’s also important to be aware of potential risks, such as fatigue and decreased reaction time, which may affect your driving ability.
NEED TO KNOW: Your doctor may recommend you avoid long-distance travel during your third trimester. If you need medical care, you’ll be close to your medical team, support system, and preferred hospital.
Wear your seatbelt low across your waist
Keep yourself and your unborn baby safe by wearing a seat belt every time you ride in a car, whether you’re the driver or passenger.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that if you’re pregnant, you should wear the shoulder belt of your seatbelt across the center of your chest, away from your neck. The lap belt should sit across your hips—don’t wear it across your belly.
NEED TO KNOW: Do not turn off the airbags in your vehicle—if you get into an accident, the seat belt and airbags will work together to keep you safe.
Adjust your seat for safety
You may find it challenging to find the right position behind the wheel as your belly grows. According to the NHTSA, these tips will help keep you comfortable and safe while you’re driving:
- Position your seat so you’re upright and comfortable.
- Avoid reclining your seat too far—it will create a gap between your shoulder and the seat belt, and you may not be fully protected in an accident.
- Don’t let your belly touch the steering wheel. You may need to push the seat back or adjust the steering wheel. Just make sure you can still reach the steering wheel and pedals.
If your belly comes within ten inches of the steering wheel, it may not be safe for you to continue driving during your pregnancy.
Get medical help after any accident
Even in the case of a minor fender bender where you don’t think you were injured, it’s important to call your doctor or visit the nearest hospital for a check-up. If there are any accident-related complications, it’s best to catch them early—and if everything’s fine, you’ll likely have better peace of mind knowing so.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Giselle Gomez is an editor with over a decade of experience editing content across personal finance, education, travel, and sports. In editing for Jerry, Giselle’s focus is on making sure content is consumer and SEO-friendly and helping readers understand all things car ownership. In prior roles, she worked as a content strategist, syndication editor, and writer. Her work is featured in AP, NerdWallet.com, BestColleges.com, and more. Giselle holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University.
