What's wrong with me?!
Discussion
rovermorris999 said:
A good attitude Ross. I have a feeling you'll do well in life. Best of luck with the DVLA.
Many thanks, I hope I do alright 
Didn't hear back from the MP today. I'll send them another email tomorrow late afternoon if I don't hear anything by then. I'm not getting my hopes up; seems absurd that they're so rigid on this that even Vas can't convince them that 6.5 weeks of waiting won't suddenly make me more road-worthy than I am now.
Done 
Mentioned conversation I'd had with Vas RE his chat with DVLA. Also mentioned how I'm having to cycle 20 miles each way to work and back, and that it's not as safe now it's getting darker and colder etc. It's also having an impact on my income as I can't treat patients with home visits etc etc. Also said I hope they can use your case as an example of the DVLA actually listening to what the professionals (ie consultants!) say rather than some totally irrelevant guidelines, and that they seemingly have 2 sets of guidelines!
Will see if I get a reply tomorrow!
Cheers.
Mentioned conversation I'd had with Vas RE his chat with DVLA. Also mentioned how I'm having to cycle 20 miles each way to work and back, and that it's not as safe now it's getting darker and colder etc. It's also having an impact on my income as I can't treat patients with home visits etc etc. Also said I hope they can use your case as an example of the DVLA actually listening to what the professionals (ie consultants!) say rather than some totally irrelevant guidelines, and that they seemingly have 2 sets of guidelines!
Will see if I get a reply tomorrow!
Cheers.
crikey said:
Tell your MP that. They tried that trick with me and my MP stepped in with a "that's hardly urgent" call and I got a response within 24 hours.
Unfortunately I've already emailed the MP again saying thanks to her for continuing to help me. If I don't hear back by Thursday evening I'll send another email Friday I reckon, or possibly later Thursday afternoon. I actually got an email from the MP this afternoon just giving me a copy of the letter she got the other day from the DVLA saying I have been cleared to drive from December 1st but I still must wait. She did say this letter is effectively "out of date" in the sense that she's since sent in the information you sent to us as well as those other guidelines I put up here the other day RE infratentorial tumours.
I used that as an excuse to email back asking of she could further press them prior to Tuesday, and that they aren't giving a valid reason as to why I can't drive, and that this 12 months is a guideline rather than a rule and they should listen to the actual professionals (ie Vas!) who say I'm fit to drive.
The amount of red tape here is mental. I am genuinely interested in seeing about getting this overturned in parliament to try to help others in the future.
I used that as an excuse to email back asking of she could further press them prior to Tuesday, and that they aren't giving a valid reason as to why I can't drive, and that this 12 months is a guideline rather than a rule and they should listen to the actual professionals (ie Vas!) who say I'm fit to drive.
The amount of red tape here is mental. I am genuinely interested in seeing about getting this overturned in parliament to try to help others in the future.
MrsMiggins said:
DVLA must operate similarly to use by dates on food. "Use by 20th October" means that up to 11:59:59 on 20th Oct you'll be safe; use at 00:00:01 on 21st October and that's instant death and destruction.
It all makes perfect sense.
It's daft isn't it. Still, we shall see if I hear anything tomorrow. To be honest.... It's 6 weeks today until I can DEFINITELY drive. It's not that long in the grand scheme of things but if I can get it back earlier then why not! It all makes perfect sense.
I had a look at the guidelines the DVLA are quoting and they certainly aren't exactly clear cut.
I had a grade II ependymoma which was a benign infratentorial tumour.
If you look here
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
On page 22 for grade II infratentorial tumours it states "as for supratentorial tumour".
So scroll up to page 21 and under benign supratentorial tumours (e.g. grade I meningioma" it states 6 months off driving. Yet it states for grade II meningioma that there is 1 year off driving.
However....it is very specific about grade II meningioma, it does not say "grade II (e.g. meningioma)" it simply says "grade II meningioma" which I didn't have. I had a benign infratentorial tumour, and under benign supratentorial tumours it says 6 months off driving. How would you interpret that?
Then.... you read here
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-medical-guidel...
and it quite clearly states drive upon recovery for benign infratentorial tumours.
Do you think it's worth phoning them? The MP is aware of this and is making contact...should I just leave it with them?
Many thanks
I had a grade II ependymoma which was a benign infratentorial tumour.
If you look here
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
On page 22 for grade II infratentorial tumours it states "as for supratentorial tumour".
So scroll up to page 21 and under benign supratentorial tumours (e.g. grade I meningioma" it states 6 months off driving. Yet it states for grade II meningioma that there is 1 year off driving.
However....it is very specific about grade II meningioma, it does not say "grade II (e.g. meningioma)" it simply says "grade II meningioma" which I didn't have. I had a benign infratentorial tumour, and under benign supratentorial tumours it says 6 months off driving. How would you interpret that?
Then.... you read here
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-medical-guidel...
and it quite clearly states drive upon recovery for benign infratentorial tumours.
Do you think it's worth phoning them? The MP is aware of this and is making contact...should I just leave it with them?
Many thanks
Mine was a "benign infratentorial tumour" but they still gave me 12 months saying it was due to the surgery, not the type of tumour. The main thing they were worried about was fitting caused by opening the middle fossa. After 7 months of no residual effects, and with the backing of my consultant, and pressure applied by my MP the DVLA let me drive with 3 months still left on my "ban".
It's definitely worth playing on the above with your MP, and definitely worth contacting her and the DVLA repeatedly during the day. You have absolutely nothing to lose, at worst your MP will find you annoying and want rid of the hassle so will press for a result in your favour. The DVLA will stick to their guns without her hassling them, even then they might, but they didn't with me.
It's definitely worth playing on the above with your MP, and definitely worth contacting her and the DVLA repeatedly during the day. You have absolutely nothing to lose, at worst your MP will find you annoying and want rid of the hassle so will press for a result in your favour. The DVLA will stick to their guns without her hassling them, even then they might, but they didn't with me.
I called them and spoke to just about the least helpful person ever. I mentioned about the other guidelines and they ignored it saying the guidelines state 12 months and if I want to argue I have to get my surgeon to discuss with the Dr's why I'm fit to drive now. I told them that had happened and they said my surgeon can try again if I want. They then said if I want to upturn it I should complain to the Secretary of State.
Absolute jobsworth! Let's hope the MP has some luck, but I'm very doubtful. They enquired about your case as of Friday, crikey, and haven't heard back RE that yet.... Apparently it may be next Tuesday but I've asked to see if the MP can press them to bring that forward.
My 745i is taunting me every time I walk past it on the driveway!
Absolute jobsworth! Let's hope the MP has some luck, but I'm very doubtful. They enquired about your case as of Friday, crikey, and haven't heard back RE that yet.... Apparently it may be next Tuesday but I've asked to see if the MP can press them to bring that forward.
My 745i is taunting me every time I walk past it on the driveway!
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