I Lost My Licence on Medical Grounds: A Case Study
If the DVLA has any concerns about your fitness to drive without posing a potential risk of both yourself and other road users, they reserve the right to revoke your licence on medical grounds.
This happened to Debbie, who had her driving licence taken away in June two years ago due to a tumour and was told that she would not get it back for around two years. Based on this, she is hoping to have it back next month but her dealings with the DVLA have given her some doubts as to whether this will actually be the case.
DVLA Concerns
Having suffered from a secondary tumour, the DVLA deemed Debbie to have at least a 20 per cent chance of having a fit behind the wheel, despite Debbie presenting them with information from medical experts that showed that this was not likely to be the case. This has frustrated Debbie, as she fears that it may prevent her from getting her licence back at all.She says, “I have never at any point been on anti-convulsive medication or been warned about the possibility of fitting. This is because the tumour is located in the cerebellum – which medical experts have told me presents a zero risk of fitting”.
Desperate to get her driving licence back, Debbie has offered to have a full medical to prove her Fitness to Drive. She has also had several MRI scans to show that no further tumours have developed since having her driving licence revoked on medical grounds.
Communication Problems
Debbie has had no real contact with the DVLA regarding her case. Communication has been between DVLA and the medical experts that have worked with her throughout her illness. She says, “The DVLA will not discuss my case with me – they will only discuss it with the medical team”.Lifestyle Changes
As a result of losing her driving licence, Debbie has had to make considerable adjustments to her everyday life to cope with the inconvenience of not being able to use her car.She says, “Because of my lack of a driving licence, I have had to severely limit my work opportunities as I now need to be able to travel to and from work by public transport. I am an accountancy contractor and am now on a much reduced income due to the travel restrictions placed on me as a result of losing my driving licence”.
A Waiting Game
The two year period passes in a month's time, and Debbie is hopeful that this will result in her driving licence being returned to her. There is no guarantee of this though, as it will depend on the DVLA deciding that she is fit to drive without posing a threat to other road users. Having previously done everything that she can to prove her driving fitness, she is concerned that she will not get her driving licence back at all. Debbie admits that the stress of not knowing when she will get her driving licence back has led to her being prescribed anti-depressant medication.Update
We're pleased to report that Debbie's driving licence has now been returned to her and she is deemed as being fit and able to drive.
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Comments...
I have had my licence revoked for medical reasons but I would like to insure my car so that other drivers can assist me in emergency and sometimes in my everyday needs. Is this possible?
High Seat - 1 December 2011 @ 7:29 PM
I am currently optimistic about getting my license back after not driving for 10 years. This is a very brief history of why my license was revoked. I was diagnosed with epilepsy about 10 years ago and had pretty much accepted I would not drive again. My girlfriend asked me to revisit the doctors about it and I did. It appears that I have been mis-diagnosed and my condition is quite manageable.The doctor see's no reason why I should not drive and the blackout's I have suffered from have very specific triggers (hot showers being the main one) and it is not possible for have a trigger in the car (unless I hook up a shower!!).The DVLA's guidance is that I may not even need to inform them of this condition (this information is from their website). My concern is that the DVLA will drag out the process and disregard the medical advise. Im hoping that someone reading this may have been through the process already and can share their experiences.For your information the condition that I appear to have is called Reflex Syncope.Looking forward to hearing anyone else's expereinces of this.
Ziggy - 17 November 2011 @ 2:50 PM
A friend of mine had depression and is suffering from threatening letters fromher daughter in law isolating her and threatening her with stopping her driving- she has already mangagedget her driving licence taken away... sadly she is very malicious and my friend is elderly and relies on her car for basic needs . the daughter in law and son live nearby but although have managed to get her licence taken away never offer to take her shopping she is relying on friends..... the letters are abusive and unfortunately she feels isolated.How can she get her driving licence back and prove she is a safe driver- she has never had a conviction or points is well known in the community
becky - 23 July 2011 @ 3:45 PM
6th July 2011
Great news about Debbie, sorry to hear of your condition, i myself have had the same roth of the hand of the DVLA, i had my licence revoked back in 2003 as i suffer from type 1 diabetes and lost my right eye due to retinopthy (diabetic eye disease), i had laser treatment to my left eye yes saved my sight but the doctors never told me that there is a risk of DVLA revoking your licence once laser treatment is completed, i registered as blind but i can see very well with one eye, i drove with one eye for 5 years without no issues, i am able to read a number plate at the legal 20.5 metres but they state that my visual field is defected, this is rubbish, i hav been fighting the DVLA since i lost my licence, i have become financially ruined, had to give up my successful business, i was the only driver in my family, the public transport in our area is non existent, so i am trapped no independance, i have stated that i am willing to have a driving assesment but no joy the DVLA dont listen, as i am diabetic and registered they state that they see this as prohibited to have a licence but i am willing to cease my blind registration but i will lose my disability benefit and other consestions.I do not agree with the DVLA, there are thousands of diabetic getting there licences revoked its not fair and i will fight on until i get my licence back and others.Even though i am fighting a losing battle.I need help regarding this issue but i am like stated financially ruined and unable to afford legal representative.my visaul field test is a score of 71% which i have seen other peoples tests as a pass.I am also looking for a doctor who will support me in my quest.I have lived with one sight since 2003 and adapted extremely well.Even if i had a Is there anyone out there who can give me some real help and support.I understand the law and the safety of myself and other road users.DVLA don,t care that they are discriminating the rights of disabled people but because they are goverment body they are allowed to do this, its not right and it should be stopped full stop.The blind challange has really inspired me, this is on youtube where a person drove a car around daytona race track totally blind and avoiding obstacles cones and ballads and boxes with the aid of computers plus american goverments help there citizens ie disabled drivers keep there locences so should ours.Time will come when cars will drive themselves, i wont be alive but what law will the DVLA bring in then to stop the disabled person drive.Sorry for going on but i feel very angry and strongly about this.Many thanks for your time and hope to hear from anyone.
jenko - 6 July 2011 @ 11:34 PM
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