Suspended Licence on Medical Grounds
Discussion
Sorry, I'm not sure this is the right forum, I'll try to keep it brief.
I take anti-depressants, every now and then I have an assessment, that was today. I was 100% open and honest, because that's the right thing to do and I wanted to get some NHS support because I've been spending a fortune of money I can't really afford on private care.
They're worried the combination of history of suicidal thoughts and risk-taking behaviour makes me potentially a danger to myself and others on the road and they’re going to write to the DVLA to inform them, which will likely mean a suspension until I’m properly evaluated.
Anyone know anyone who’s had this before – will I have to tell my insurance co as/when they let me have it back? That doesn’t sound like a good route to cheap premiums…
I take anti-depressants, every now and then I have an assessment, that was today. I was 100% open and honest, because that's the right thing to do and I wanted to get some NHS support because I've been spending a fortune of money I can't really afford on private care.
They're worried the combination of history of suicidal thoughts and risk-taking behaviour makes me potentially a danger to myself and others on the road and they’re going to write to the DVLA to inform them, which will likely mean a suspension until I’m properly evaluated.
Anyone know anyone who’s had this before – will I have to tell my insurance co as/when they let me have it back? That doesn’t sound like a good route to cheap premiums…
If its a DVLA Medical condition, you're supposed to tell them.
I'd cancel your policy, and re-insure the car on a laid up/non driving policy where they don't tend to ask these questions. Insure it properly again when you are no longer suffering suicidal thoughts and cleared by the doctor.
I'd cancel your policy, and re-insure the car on a laid up/non driving policy where they don't tend to ask these questions. Insure it properly again when you are no longer suffering suicidal thoughts and cleared by the doctor.
Sorry to read this.
I’m not sure I would be cancelling any car policy just yet as until the evaluation happens you don’t actually know what the DVLA will say or indeed do.
I would however speak to my Insurer sooner rather than later.
I think I would also be contacting the DVLA myself rather than them receive a letter from someone else.
Thankfully I haven’t been in your position but some years ago I had a particularly nasty virus which meant I had to write to the DVLA ( at my Consultants request ) , complete a lengthy form and then wait for them to write back with their verdict.
I spoke to my Insurer who said noted but until the DVLA has made their ruling I needed to do nothing else.
Thankfully in my case they said they were happy for me to continue driving but it was a very nervous 3 months before I got their letter.
Best of luck.
I’m not sure I would be cancelling any car policy just yet as until the evaluation happens you don’t actually know what the DVLA will say or indeed do.
I would however speak to my Insurer sooner rather than later.
I think I would also be contacting the DVLA myself rather than them receive a letter from someone else.
Thankfully I haven’t been in your position but some years ago I had a particularly nasty virus which meant I had to write to the DVLA ( at my Consultants request ) , complete a lengthy form and then wait for them to write back with their verdict.
I spoke to my Insurer who said noted but until the DVLA has made their ruling I needed to do nothing else.
Thankfully in my case they said they were happy for me to continue driving but it was a very nervous 3 months before I got their letter.
Best of luck.
Thanks Guys,
I’m still in a bit of a state of shock. I haven’t had suicidal thoughts for nearly 2 years. They never took issue with driving before now. Not that it matters I suppose, but I’ve got a clean licence, no convictions for driving or anything else. I just needed a prescription renewed and some how I’ve talked myself into a driving ban.
That said, I spoke to the insurers, they said as long as I adhere to the suspension there’s no additional costs when I get my license back.
3 months, jeez. I was hoping to resolve all this in weeks.
I’m still in a bit of a state of shock. I haven’t had suicidal thoughts for nearly 2 years. They never took issue with driving before now. Not that it matters I suppose, but I’ve got a clean licence, no convictions for driving or anything else. I just needed a prescription renewed and some how I’ve talked myself into a driving ban.
That said, I spoke to the insurers, they said as long as I adhere to the suspension there’s no additional costs when I get my license back.
3 months, jeez. I was hoping to resolve all this in weeks.
t.I had to stop driving due to a non fault car crash resulting in a head injury leading to epilepsy. Its taken a few years, but now im on the right meds, and the siezures have stopped, good job as was getting tired of breaking bones. They have told me i can now drive again, but ive decided not too, i moved into the centre of a town etc, basicly totaly changed my life to make not driving less of a problem, but im never going to drive again, as althou the docs say im ok, i couldnt live with it if i passed out on a motorway at speed and killed people, and that is a risk im not prepaired to take, and with these things there is no way anyone can say for sure.
Its actualy alot less of a thing than people would think, im mid 50s and ws only driving for need not fun, lets face it the roads today arent fun, i worked in motorsport all my life, so cars have always been a big part of life, but i can work remotly now, i recently engineered a car in japan from my sofa at home.
And the money i save is mad.
Its actualy alot less of a thing than people would think, im mid 50s and ws only driving for need not fun, lets face it the roads today arent fun, i worked in motorsport all my life, so cars have always been a big part of life, but i can work remotly now, i recently engineered a car in japan from my sofa at home.
And the money i save is mad.
richhead said:
I had to stop driving due to a non fault car crash resulting in a head injury leading to epilepsy. Its taken a few years, but now im on the right meds, and the siezures have stopped, good job as was getting tired of breaking bones. They have told me i can now drive again, but ive decided not too, i moved into the centre of a town etc, basicly totaly changed my life to make not driving less of a problem, but im never going to drive again, as althou the docs say im ok, i couldnt live with it if i passed out on a motorway at speed and killed people, and that is a risk im not prepaired to take, and with these things there is no way anyone can say for sure.
Its actualy alot less of a thing than people would think, im mid 50s and ws only driving for need not fun, lets face it the roads today arent fun, i worked in motorsport all my life, so cars have always been a big part of life, but i can work remotly now, i recently engineered a car in japan from my sofa at home.
And the money i save is mad.
Noble of you, especially large sacrfice given your background. Its actualy alot less of a thing than people would think, im mid 50s and ws only driving for need not fun, lets face it the roads today arent fun, i worked in motorsport all my life, so cars have always been a big part of life, but i can work remotly now, i recently engineered a car in japan from my sofa at home.
And the money i save is mad.
Glad you are still able to fulfil your love of motoring in other ways, sofa engineering sounds great!
Pebbles167 said:
richhead said:
I had to stop driving due to a non fault car crash resulting in a head injury leading to epilepsy. Its taken a few years, but now im on the right meds, and the siezures have stopped, good job as was getting tired of breaking bones. They have told me i can now drive again, but ive decided not too, i moved into the centre of a town etc, basicly totaly changed my life to make not driving less of a problem, but im never going to drive again, as althou the docs say im ok, i couldnt live with it if i passed out on a motorway at speed and killed people, and that is a risk im not prepaired to take, and with these things there is no way anyone can say for sure.
Its actualy alot less of a thing than people would think, im mid 50s and ws only driving for need not fun, lets face it the roads today arent fun, i worked in motorsport all my life, so cars have always been a big part of life, but i can work remotly now, i recently engineered a car in japan from my sofa at home.
And the money i save is mad.
Noble of you, especially large sacrfice given your background. Its actualy alot less of a thing than people would think, im mid 50s and ws only driving for need not fun, lets face it the roads today arent fun, i worked in motorsport all my life, so cars have always been a big part of life, but i can work remotly now, i recently engineered a car in japan from my sofa at home.
And the money i save is mad.
Glad you are still able to fulfil your love of motoring in other ways, sofa engineering sounds great!
Many of us, particularly since COVID, do far fewer miles now than we did say 10 years ago.
I have worked from home for 31 years now, but my clients, since COVID, are far more attuned to Zoom/Teams meetings and emailing stuff, rather than face to face meeting all the time. I mainly work for a compoany of 30 staff in 3 countries, but we have totally embraced Teams. I have only visited the office, 90 miles away, 3 times in the last 12 months.
The costs of car ownership are man-mathsed by many of us because convenience is seen as paramount, but I have long thought that I am not far away from selling the car and just having a taxi firm on monthly account and speed dial.
Like the guy above, the only change I would make is to move into the town I live near - I am 3 miles away but in the countryside, neighbours moo rather than play loud music, but every trip is a car journey. A flat in town, half way between the supermarket and the pub, and within 800 yards of the train station, has a certain appeal. I just need to decide which train station. And which supermarket. And which pub.
I have worked from home for 31 years now, but my clients, since COVID, are far more attuned to Zoom/Teams meetings and emailing stuff, rather than face to face meeting all the time. I mainly work for a compoany of 30 staff in 3 countries, but we have totally embraced Teams. I have only visited the office, 90 miles away, 3 times in the last 12 months.
The costs of car ownership are man-mathsed by many of us because convenience is seen as paramount, but I have long thought that I am not far away from selling the car and just having a taxi firm on monthly account and speed dial.
Like the guy above, the only change I would make is to move into the town I live near - I am 3 miles away but in the countryside, neighbours moo rather than play loud music, but every trip is a car journey. A flat in town, half way between the supermarket and the pub, and within 800 yards of the train station, has a certain appeal. I just need to decide which train station. And which supermarket. And which pub.
Not sure how comparable it is, but when I had eye surgery a few years ago, my consultant didn't notify the DVLA but did tell me I should take a break from driving (not being able to see the car, let alone drive it I thought it was a given!), and because I wasn't driving the car, I didn't notify my insurance. Once everything was settled down and I was mended, I had to get signed off as fit to drive by my GP and notified the DVLA and insurer (who weren't bothered as I'd been signed fit with no restrictions). Haven't noticed any jumps in premiums since as a consequence either.
Chris
Chris
Wanting to explore better anti-depressants and therapy to turn life around shouldn't result in revoking license.
Sounds like an overreaction resulting from misinterpreting something you said or presumed something like anti-depressants aren't helping at all and getting suicidal thoughts now.
I would be livid with them.
Sounds like an overreaction resulting from misinterpreting something you said or presumed something like anti-depressants aren't helping at all and getting suicidal thoughts now.
I would be livid with them.
the absence of suicidal ideation for a number of years should mean that you're good to go. there is a secondary consideration in the regulations to do with medication and impairment but cant see how that would be an issue now.
risk taking behaviours ? - recently?, what form does it take? etc.
going by the regulations (not guidelines) DVLA should have been notified when you first presented. it is the driver's responsibility to do so. if the driver doesn't, despite being so advised, then the clinician must.
suicidal thoughts = MUST NOT drive. i believe, but would need to check, that this would be for review after 3 months but licence would usually be re-granted after six months if symptoms are controlled and no medicinal impairment
risk taking behaviours ? - recently?, what form does it take? etc.
going by the regulations (not guidelines) DVLA should have been notified when you first presented. it is the driver's responsibility to do so. if the driver doesn't, despite being so advised, then the clinician must.
suicidal thoughts = MUST NOT drive. i believe, but would need to check, that this would be for review after 3 months but licence would usually be re-granted after six months if symptoms are controlled and no medicinal impairment
Edited by paulmakin on Saturday 14th October 23:31
Edited by paulmakin on Saturday 14th October 23:33
Hope you're doing ok OP.
It's a tough situation and I hope you find yourself in a better place, with your licence restored, soon.
It's a tough situation and I hope you find yourself in a better place, with your licence restored, soon.
paulmakin said:
......
going by the regulations (not guidelines) DVLA should have been notified when you first presented. it is the driver's responsibility to do so. if the driver doesn't, despite being so advised, then the clinician must.
suicidal thoughts = MUST NOT drive. i believe, but would need to check, that this would be for review after 3 months but licence would usually be re-granted after six months if symptoms are controlled and no medicinal impairment
I had no idea this was the case and if true I find it quite shocking. What if the patient's livelihood is dependent on driving? They go for help and suddenly lose their job/business, making their life considerably worse?going by the regulations (not guidelines) DVLA should have been notified when you first presented. it is the driver's responsibility to do so. if the driver doesn't, despite being so advised, then the clinician must.
suicidal thoughts = MUST NOT drive. i believe, but would need to check, that this would be for review after 3 months but licence would usually be re-granted after six months if symptoms are controlled and no medicinal impairment
I have had depression and was on A/D for several years, driving was never mentioned.
I had a “do not drive” for 7 weeks and now have 1 notifiable conditions (not depression though), and one where I have to self assess if the condition is affecting my driving.
Insurers can not penalise you for the condition once you are cleared to drive, when I was stopped my specialist wrote to DVLA, and when I was cleared DVLA were notified, although I was told I could drive immediately and didn’t need to wait for confirmation from DVLA. On insurance quote forms I just use the “DVLA informed, no restrictions” option.
I didn’t do anything to my policy when I couldn’t drive, as there were named drivers who could. But I did inform my insurers who were ok about it and just said “thanks, no need to let us know when you can drive again as long as you are cleared”
Obv if the Dr has told you not to drive, and then you do and cause an incident you would probably be on a sticky wicket with driving against advice of Dr.
Hope you manage to resolve your problems soon
I had a “do not drive” for 7 weeks and now have 1 notifiable conditions (not depression though), and one where I have to self assess if the condition is affecting my driving.
Insurers can not penalise you for the condition once you are cleared to drive, when I was stopped my specialist wrote to DVLA, and when I was cleared DVLA were notified, although I was told I could drive immediately and didn’t need to wait for confirmation from DVLA. On insurance quote forms I just use the “DVLA informed, no restrictions” option.
I didn’t do anything to my policy when I couldn’t drive, as there were named drivers who could. But I did inform my insurers who were ok about it and just said “thanks, no need to let us know when you can drive again as long as you are cleared”
Obv if the Dr has told you not to drive, and then you do and cause an incident you would probably be on a sticky wicket with driving against advice of Dr.
Hope you manage to resolve your problems soon
DVLA guidelines can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/psychiatric-disorders-...
Severe depression would suggest a minimum of 3 months withdrawal of license until condition is stabilised
Severe depression would suggest a minimum of 3 months withdrawal of license until condition is stabilised
I think I shot myself in the foot in hindsight, it was a bit of a blur, but I've had some time to think. The problem is sometimes I exaggerate / use Hyperbole when I'm anxious, people who know me, know what I'm like, it's also part of my sense of humour to rant a bit. They asked me about my hobbies, and what I do when I'm down - Mountain Biking, which I've done for nearly 20 years and I'm a bit of wimp and driving. They asked if I ever speed, and yeah I do, no more than any other PHer I'd say, but I was 'on one' so I said "oh yeah, I'm flying down the road at 150mph" which I think she took literally, then she asked if I felt guilty about and sometimes if I've been a bit more naughty than usual I regret it afterwards "yeah, it's a bit anti-social and I've got kids so I feel bad about it" meaning if I had an accident I'd feel bad for anyone else I hit and because I have parental responsibility - she looked shock and concluded I'd been driving at 150mph with my 9 year old in the car which, just for the sake of saying it, HAS NEVER HAPPENED.
I managed to explain I have never driven poorly with my kids onboard, but I think the whole 150mph thing stuck. I feel like a complete idiot.
Suicidal thoughts, they asked me if I had any and I said "not any more" they enquired and I mentioned I'd agreed a 'backstop' with my (private) Counsellor that if I ever found myself thinking it was better to end my life, rather than doing so, I'd just pack my bike and some clothes and head to the Alps / Spain (depending on the season) and take some time to sort myself out. It would obviously cause some worry from my family, but it was better than the alternative, but I had not thought in those terms for 2 years, this also didn't sit well with them.
My Wife is coming with me next time I must speak to someone like that, I went in expecting some mental health help, and really it felt like an Integration.
I managed to explain I have never driven poorly with my kids onboard, but I think the whole 150mph thing stuck. I feel like a complete idiot.
Suicidal thoughts, they asked me if I had any and I said "not any more" they enquired and I mentioned I'd agreed a 'backstop' with my (private) Counsellor that if I ever found myself thinking it was better to end my life, rather than doing so, I'd just pack my bike and some clothes and head to the Alps / Spain (depending on the season) and take some time to sort myself out. It would obviously cause some worry from my family, but it was better than the alternative, but I had not thought in those terms for 2 years, this also didn't sit well with them.
My Wife is coming with me next time I must speak to someone like that, I went in expecting some mental health help, and really it felt like an Integration.
I suspect once you've said stuff like that they'd be mad not to record it and assume you meant it, as if they apply any judgement and dismiss as hyperbole, it could come back to bite them later.
Best saying least possible, then. Lesson learned for next time I guess, but thanks for sharing so at least others won't get stuck in a similar way.
Best saying least possible, then. Lesson learned for next time I guess, but thanks for sharing so at least others won't get stuck in a similar way.
I have to renew my licence every 3 years on medical grounds, I complete the paperwork, send it back and a few weeks later a new licence turns up in the post after the DVLA have checked with the hospital that I am healthy enough to carry on driving. It's been like this since I started driving 25 years ago, they did shorten it to 1 year licence once as I had some iffy blood results.
When I lost my Dad and job in the same week I took anti depressants for a while, nothing was mentioned about driving or contacting the DVLA and I was in a bad way. Came through it and am mostly back to normal now.
I know the DVLA have been getting tighter on medical licence renewals as a couple of people I know with the same condition have had issues getting theirs renewed and the paperwork to renew used to be 2 pages and it's now 10.
When I lost my Dad and job in the same week I took anti depressants for a while, nothing was mentioned about driving or contacting the DVLA and I was in a bad way. Came through it and am mostly back to normal now.
I know the DVLA have been getting tighter on medical licence renewals as a couple of people I know with the same condition have had issues getting theirs renewed and the paperwork to renew used to be 2 pages and it's now 10.
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