Reapplying for licence after medical revocation
Discussion
Hi, all
I’ve tried Google and the DVLA phone lines are shut, so am wondering if anyone with experience of the process can help with this quick question, please?
The situation;
About a year ago I had to surrender my licence due to a series of seizures. I duly sent off my licence to the DVLA after filling in their medical condition notification forms and subsequently being told that I’d have to surrender my licence for a year.
In the intervening period I’ve been in regular contact with my consultant and he’s said that, now the minimum period specified by the DVLA has elapsed, he’d support my re-application for a driving licence.
I’ve just today received and eagerly filled in the D1 form, but am a little stuck as to what, if any, identity documents I need to send in. The guidance sent barely mentions the “medical” section and what advice there is on the various .gov.uk pages could be interpreted any way you want it to! My previous photocard licence would still have been valid for another year or two from today, so would it just be a re-issuance of that with categories removed, or is this a completely new application requiring photo etc, please?
Any help appreciated, as I’d like to get this off, along with the accompanying medical form as soon as possible.
I’ve tried Google and the DVLA phone lines are shut, so am wondering if anyone with experience of the process can help with this quick question, please?
The situation;
About a year ago I had to surrender my licence due to a series of seizures. I duly sent off my licence to the DVLA after filling in their medical condition notification forms and subsequently being told that I’d have to surrender my licence for a year.
In the intervening period I’ve been in regular contact with my consultant and he’s said that, now the minimum period specified by the DVLA has elapsed, he’d support my re-application for a driving licence.
I’ve just today received and eagerly filled in the D1 form, but am a little stuck as to what, if any, identity documents I need to send in. The guidance sent barely mentions the “medical” section and what advice there is on the various .gov.uk pages could be interpreted any way you want it to! My previous photocard licence would still have been valid for another year or two from today, so would it just be a re-issuance of that with categories removed, or is this a completely new application requiring photo etc, please?
Any help appreciated, as I’d like to get this off, along with the accompanying medical form as soon as possible.
Hi,
Firstly you need to clarify whether your licence was medically revoked by dvla or if it has truly been voluntary surrendered. The terms are often used interchangeably but are worlds apart when it comes to reapplication. Google section 88 cover.
If it was revoked you have to apply and await a final decision by dvla before driving, could be some time! If the licence was surrendered providing you have a valid application in dvla and you can meet the standards and your Dr agrees you can restart while awaiting the final licensing decision (s88)
You state you had a series of seizures so the epilepsy regulations will apply, that is 12 months free of seizures for car driving. This would have to be met.
A valid application will be a D1 form and the appropriate medical declaration form and consent form. This would be a B1 or FEP1 form downloaded off the dvla site. Both would need to be sent in and scanned on before any cover starts under s88.
Aditionally there may need to be photos if the old lic was a paper one or it needs to be updated. A new licence will need to be issued as the C1 categories will be lost and it will be time restricted to 5 years duration at the longest.
Given backlogs there may be a degree pragmatism around the photo requirements if it's more than a year to run
Firstly you need to clarify whether your licence was medically revoked by dvla or if it has truly been voluntary surrendered. The terms are often used interchangeably but are worlds apart when it comes to reapplication. Google section 88 cover.
If it was revoked you have to apply and await a final decision by dvla before driving, could be some time! If the licence was surrendered providing you have a valid application in dvla and you can meet the standards and your Dr agrees you can restart while awaiting the final licensing decision (s88)
You state you had a series of seizures so the epilepsy regulations will apply, that is 12 months free of seizures for car driving. This would have to be met.
A valid application will be a D1 form and the appropriate medical declaration form and consent form. This would be a B1 or FEP1 form downloaded off the dvla site. Both would need to be sent in and scanned on before any cover starts under s88.
Aditionally there may need to be photos if the old lic was a paper one or it needs to be updated. A new licence will need to be issued as the C1 categories will be lost and it will be time restricted to 5 years duration at the longest.
Given backlogs there may be a degree pragmatism around the photo requirements if it's more than a year to run
Edited by Bone Rat on Saturday 11th June 18:01
You can re-apply before the required ‘time-off’. You can drive once the ‘time-off’, has elapsed, as long as
a) you have submitted an application
b) you have completed the ‘time-off’
b) your GP/consultant agrees you are fit to drive.
c) you surrendered your licence, rather than it was revoked.
You DO NOT have to wait for the DVLA to say you can drive.
Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 allows this.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
This was my situation in 2010.
You are lucky, it was a THREE YEAR wait back then, even for sleep-only seizures.
ETA: 12 months seizure-free, or 12 month ‘sleep only’ seizures. (Note it is ‘sleep only’ not ‘nocturnal only’. That is, if you are asleep in the daytime, and have a seizure, then that is classed as a ‘sleep-only’ seizure).
ETA2: if your licence was before 1997, then you will have been able to drive up to 7.5tonne on your car licence. When it comes back, you will be restricted to post 1997 limit of 3.5 tonne (that is, you will lose these ‘grandfather’ rights, unfortunately). Also, if you want to, or did, drive an HGV or coach, then you will need to be seizure-free from ALL seizures for TEN years.
a) you have submitted an application
b) you have completed the ‘time-off’
b) your GP/consultant agrees you are fit to drive.
c) you surrendered your licence, rather than it was revoked.
You DO NOT have to wait for the DVLA to say you can drive.
Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 allows this.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
This was my situation in 2010.
You are lucky, it was a THREE YEAR wait back then, even for sleep-only seizures.
ETA: 12 months seizure-free, or 12 month ‘sleep only’ seizures. (Note it is ‘sleep only’ not ‘nocturnal only’. That is, if you are asleep in the daytime, and have a seizure, then that is classed as a ‘sleep-only’ seizure).
ETA2: if your licence was before 1997, then you will have been able to drive up to 7.5tonne on your car licence. When it comes back, you will be restricted to post 1997 limit of 3.5 tonne (that is, you will lose these ‘grandfather’ rights, unfortunately). Also, if you want to, or did, drive an HGV or coach, then you will need to be seizure-free from ALL seizures for TEN years.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Saturday 11th June 18:21
Edited by Pica-Pica on Saturday 11th June 18:27
Thanks, Bone Rat.
It was revoked, so I understand that I’ll be in for a wait before I’ll know whether I can drive again, hence the desire to get the process underway.
My only question was around the requirement for proof of identity (Section 5 of form D1).
From memory, I believe that the previous photocard expiry date was in 2025. It sounds like I may be able to risk sending without the section 5 filled in? I’m also encouraged into this conclusion by the fact that they don’t accept service of copies of birth certificates etc, but they advertise the submission of this form to the medical team via fax.
It was revoked, so I understand that I’ll be in for a wait before I’ll know whether I can drive again, hence the desire to get the process underway.
My only question was around the requirement for proof of identity (Section 5 of form D1).
From memory, I believe that the previous photocard expiry date was in 2025. It sounds like I may be able to risk sending without the section 5 filled in? I’m also encouraged into this conclusion by the fact that they don’t accept service of copies of birth certificates etc, but they advertise the submission of this form to the medical team via fax.
Duke147 said:
Thanks, Bone Rat.
It was revoked, so I understand that I’ll be in for a wait before I’ll know whether I can drive again, hence the desire to get the process underway.
My only question was around the requirement for proof of identity (Section 5 of form D1).
From memory, I believe that the previous photocard expiry date was in 2025. It sounds like I may be able to risk sending without the section 5 filled in? I’m also encouraged into this conclusion by the fact that they don’t accept service of copies of birth certificates etc, but they advertise the submission of this form to the medical team via fax.
Hi,It was revoked, so I understand that I’ll be in for a wait before I’ll know whether I can drive again, hence the desire to get the process underway.
My only question was around the requirement for proof of identity (Section 5 of form D1).
From memory, I believe that the previous photocard expiry date was in 2025. It sounds like I may be able to risk sending without the section 5 filled in? I’m also encouraged into this conclusion by the fact that they don’t accept service of copies of birth certificates etc, but they advertise the submission of this form to the medical team via fax.
The section 5 of the D1 "your health" just asks you to tick the box for a medical condition, this will result in them sending out a FEP1 form for seizures, so can pre empt that by sending in the downloaded completed form. Each step can add a month so if you can short it, it helps
As to the ID bit in section 6,this is mainly for new applications where there is no previous lic, if you have a passport then inserting the passport number should link that info to your application.
There is a huge backlog there and the way to get it processed quickly is to be a frequent caller /contacter, if you can establish a human contact it helps
Would suggest 'medadviser@dvla.gov.uk' or 'EFTD@dvla.gov.uk',should get put in front of a human
Need to keep pressing as there is no s88 cover
Duke147 said:
Thanks, Bone Rat.
It was revoked, so I understand that I’ll be in for a wait before I’ll know whether I can drive again, hence the desire to get the process underway.
My only question was around the requirement for proof of identity (Section 5 of form D1).
From memory, I believe that the previous photocard expiry date was in 2025. It sounds like I may be able to risk sending without the section 5 filled in? I’m also encouraged into this conclusion by the fact that they don’t accept service of copies of birth certificates etc, but they advertise the submission of this form to the medical team via fax.
My consultant told me to surrender it immediately after a one off seizure because it makes it much easier to get driving again if they can't find anything wrong.I reapplied for my licence last September and still have heard nothing but I can drive under section 88.Were you not told to surrender or is it different because you had more than one seizure?It was revoked, so I understand that I’ll be in for a wait before I’ll know whether I can drive again, hence the desire to get the process underway.
My only question was around the requirement for proof of identity (Section 5 of form D1).
From memory, I believe that the previous photocard expiry date was in 2025. It sounds like I may be able to risk sending without the section 5 filled in? I’m also encouraged into this conclusion by the fact that they don’t accept service of copies of birth certificates etc, but they advertise the submission of this form to the medical team via fax.
General Price said:
My consultant told me to surrender it immediately after a one off seizure because it makes it much easier to get driving again if they can't find anything wrong.I reapplied for my licence last September and still have heard nothing but I can drive under section 88.Were you not told to surrender or is it different because you had more than one seizure?
In my own case it was the reverse. I surrendered mine (no reason, other than good conscience). My GP said ‘that was a bit hasty’. Turns out it was a good thing in my case.Bone Rat said:
Hi,
The section 5 of the D1 "your health" just asks you to tick the box for a medical condition, this will result in them sending out a FEP1 form for seizures, so can pre empt that by sending in the downloaded completed form. Each step can add a month so if you can short it, it helps
As to the ID bit in section 6,this is mainly for new applications where there is no previous lic, if you have a passport then inserting the passport number should link that info to your application.
There is a huge backlog there and the way to get it processed quickly is to be a frequent caller /contacter, if you can establish a human contact it helps
Would suggest 'medadviser@dvla.gov.uk' or 'EFTD@dvla.gov.uk',should get put in front of a human
Need to keep pressing as there is no s88 cover
On my d1 form the “your health” section is 4. 5 is “Your Proof of Identity,” 6 is “Signing a photograph…[another ID section].”The section 5 of the D1 "your health" just asks you to tick the box for a medical condition, this will result in them sending out a FEP1 form for seizures, so can pre empt that by sending in the downloaded completed form. Each step can add a month so if you can short it, it helps
As to the ID bit in section 6,this is mainly for new applications where there is no previous lic, if you have a passport then inserting the passport number should link that info to your application.
There is a huge backlog there and the way to get it processed quickly is to be a frequent caller /contacter, if you can establish a human contact it helps
Would suggest 'medadviser@dvla.gov.uk' or 'EFTD@dvla.gov.uk',should get put in front of a human
Need to keep pressing as there is no s88 cover
I filled out a medical declaration form and was, by return of mail, informed that I should send in my licence. I hadn’t until that point because I get a good 5 minutes, or so, of distinct and unique warning before the seizure comes on. Plenty of time to pull over in a safe location. There wasn’t a section on the declaration form to explain that. That”s by the-by, though. I’ll dig out the original letter and read it again to get the exact wording. I do think, though that it just says to send in my licence and re-apply after a clear year.
Duke147 said:
Bone Rat said:
Hi,
The section 5 of the D1 "your health" just asks you to tick the box for a medical condition, this will result in them sending out a FEP1 form for seizures, so can pre empt that by sending in the downloaded completed form. Each step can add a month so if you can short it, it helps
As to the ID bit in section 6,this is mainly for new applications where there is no previous lic, if you have a passport then inserting the passport number should link that info to your application.
There is a huge backlog there and the way to get it processed quickly is to be a frequent caller /contacter, if you can establish a human contact it helps
Would suggest 'medadviser@dvla.gov.uk' or 'EFTD@dvla.gov.uk',should get put in front of a human
Need to keep pressing as there is no s88 cover
On my d1 form the “your health” section is 4. 5 is “Your Proof of Identity,” 6 is “Signing a photograph…[another ID section].”The section 5 of the D1 "your health" just asks you to tick the box for a medical condition, this will result in them sending out a FEP1 form for seizures, so can pre empt that by sending in the downloaded completed form. Each step can add a month so if you can short it, it helps
As to the ID bit in section 6,this is mainly for new applications where there is no previous lic, if you have a passport then inserting the passport number should link that info to your application.
There is a huge backlog there and the way to get it processed quickly is to be a frequent caller /contacter, if you can establish a human contact it helps
Would suggest 'medadviser@dvla.gov.uk' or 'EFTD@dvla.gov.uk',should get put in front of a human
Need to keep pressing as there is no s88 cover
I filled out a medical declaration form and was, by return of mail, informed that I should send in my licence. I hadn’t until that point because I get a good 5 minutes, or so, of distinct and unique warning before the seizure comes on. Plenty of time to pull over in a safe location. There wasn’t a section on the declaration form to explain that. That”s by the-by, though. I’ll dig out the original letter and read it again to get the exact wording. I do think, though that it just says to send in my licence and re-apply after a clear year.
They way the regulations are written mean that the warning time won't make a difference to the time off the road, you'll need 12 months clear from the time of the last seizure event, it's an area with little or no discretion as the times are set in law unlike most of the other standards.
hope this helps
Agreed. Your ‘warning’ of an impending ‘awake’ seizure won’t be acceptable to the DVLA medics, nor to your own neurologist. That’s the way it is. It’s backed by their experience and knowledge, not just a dreamed up law. I am always reminded of the Glasgow dustcart crash in these circumstances.
The warning you get is an ‘aura’, or a focal onset. There is no guarantee you will always get a warning, you may go straight into a generalised seizure without the focal onset. No neurologist will sign up to that guarantee.
The warning you get is an ‘aura’, or a focal onset. There is no guarantee you will always get a warning, you may go straight into a generalised seizure without the focal onset. No neurologist will sign up to that guarantee.
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