Is It Legal To Drive A Car While On Oxygen?

Managing a respiratory illness shouldn’t mean being stuck at home with oxygen therapy. That’s why portable oxygen concentrators have become so popular. Oxygen therapy patients enjoy the freedom to go about their daily lives while receiving the oxygen they need. These freedoms include driving.

However, the flammability risk of oxygen equipment has always been a concern for safety when driving. Also, failures in equipment for some patients could result in impaired driving and a hazard to themselves and others on the road.

If you have been or are just starting oxygen therapy, it is important to know state laws where you live when it comes to driving with oxygen.

Oxygen therapy is prescribed to patients with a range of respiratory illnesses. Oxygen tanks or oxygen concentrators provide the supplemental oxygen needed to breathe that may not be possible without the aid of these devices.

Common respiratory conditions that may require oxygen therapy include:

• COPD
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Pneumonia
• Cystic fibrosis
• Asthma

Supplemental oxygen is available in different types.

Home oxygen concentrators are stationary devices that convert ambient air into pure oxygen to manage respiratory illnesses. Home units are larger than portable ones and need to be plugged in at all times to operate. They provide many features that may be important to patients and help individuals breathe normally to continue living their daily life.

Like home units, portable oxygen concentrators or POCs convert air into pure oxygen but are designed smaller and lighter in size to accommodate traveling or on-the-go use. They provide oxygen therapy on the go to help oxygen therapy patients travel for work or pleasure, go on camping trips, long car rides, and more. The use of a portable oxygen concentrator allows patients to continue living their active lifestyles. 

Compressed gas cylinders provide pure oxygen in gas form. Gas cylinders eventually become empty and need to be replaced. They are also highly flammable.

Liquid oxygen starts as a liquid in a container and is converted into an inhaled gas for therapy. Like gas, liquid systems eventually need to be replenished. Liquid oxygen systems can be less bulky than gas cylinders and less expensive.

There are some federal regulations for some medical devices in vehicles, equipment for oxygen therapy is accepted for use. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) provisions allow for medical devices for the disabled while driving. Equipment for oxygen therapy is included in these provisions.

However, individual states may have variations in their legislature regarding driving with oxygen therapy. It’s important to check those state-specific laws before driving with your oxygen concentrator. Some states may require a medical card. However, laws can change. Check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles for updates.  

Currently no state laws forbid driving with oxygen therapy. A few states may require some documentation to support your use of oxygen therapy while driving. Most states will, however, need to confirm that you are medically fit to drive if you have health conditions that could be a hazard. If you have never experienced driving impairment from a health condition, then you are free to drive with oxygen therapy.

While you are not restricted legally from driving with oxygen you should still take some safety precautions.  

• Make sure your oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank is secured so that it doesn’t move around during transit.
• Do not smoke in the car with oxygen equipment or expose equipment to open flames.
• Make sure your oxygen equipment has proper ventilation to prevent oxygen buildup or overheating of the equipment.

If you drive frequently with oxygen, you should maintain your equipment properly. Keep your equipment clean and filters changed. Keep your emergency contacts accessible in the event of an accident in which you are unable to communicate.

Your car insurance should not be directly affected by your health condition or your need for oxygen while driving. Only if accidents occur due to that condition would an insurance company take note. You are not required to notify your car insurance company of oxygen use while driving. Premiums and coverage would only be impacted if your health condition resulted in a claim.

However, you must always be aware of the risks of oxygen equipment use while driving. Take the necessary precautions and take extra care while driving knowing that your equipment increases fire hazards in the event of an accident.

The good news is that patients on oxygen therapy are free to drive with their oxygen equipment if they drive safely and ensure the equipment is safely stowed. Speak to your doctor about your health condition and how safe it is for you to drive with oxygen. It is always important to check state laws to ensure they haven’t changed. Otherwise, most patients can pack up their POC and drive.

If you're looking for the best products to manage your respiratory illness, The Oxygen Concentrator Supplies Shop would be happy to help. We offer the best oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, and more on our website to help our customers continue living an active life. If you need assistance or would like to learn more about any of our products, call our expert staff at 888-941-1688 today.