RE: PH Blog: life without a licence
Discussion
Sorry to hear this Dan, wishing you the best on your road to recovery!
Spent some time tinkering with the mx5 - who cares if you don't finish it in the day, not like you'll need it in the morning
Sim racing is fun too, but so is exercise. Turn a slight negative and inconvenience into something that will benefit yourself in the long term! Put a positive spin on it!
Spent some time tinkering with the mx5 - who cares if you don't finish it in the day, not like you'll need it in the morning
Sim racing is fun too, but so is exercise. Turn a slight negative and inconvenience into something that will benefit yourself in the long term! Put a positive spin on it!
I am currently just under 1 month into a 6 month car free period. I had a seizure on the way to work and after 2 days in hospital was required to send my license to the DVLA, though I did so voluntarily as this means I can start driving before once the 6 months is up and my license will just be re issued. If I had filled in the medical forms it would be until the investigation was over, which would probably take longer than the 6 month ban.
At first all I could think about was how much of a nightmare it would be but it's surprising how fast you find out ways to cope. Between the bus, parents and friends there's not a huge amount I've not been able to do. Yes it sucks to be sat back in the back like the kids but I'm getting used to it slowly.
I still may have to have my consultancy but it's likely I'll be having brain surgery early next year which may change the return date but I am looking forward to getting my independence back, not my life, I refuse to let that go.
At first all I could think about was how much of a nightmare it would be but it's surprising how fast you find out ways to cope. Between the bus, parents and friends there's not a huge amount I've not been able to do. Yes it sucks to be sat back in the back like the kids but I'm getting used to it slowly.
I still may have to have my consultancy but it's likely I'll be having brain surgery early next year which may change the return date but I am looking forward to getting my independence back, not my life, I refuse to let that go.
Only time I have not driven for a number of months was when I was 21. I went to Israel to stay on a Kibutz, did that for a month, toured Egypt for a month and back to Israel for another month an a half. Used every kind of public transport, plane, train, cab, bus, boat, back of a pick-up truck, horses and donkey.
When I got back to my parents place I was skint so could not afford to tax and insure my car so continued to use public transport. It wasn't too bad, I don't need a car for work and the pub was a short bus ride away and as I was going for a pint I wouldn't have taken the car anyway. I was nice to eventually get back behind the wheel though
When I got back to my parents place I was skint so could not afford to tax and insure my car so continued to use public transport. It wasn't too bad, I don't need a car for work and the pub was a short bus ride away and as I was going for a pint I wouldn't have taken the car anyway. I was nice to eventually get back behind the wheel though
I feel your pain. Being a type 1 diabetic means I have to jump through plenty of hoops to get my licence renewed every 3 years (some do it anually) and allthough those hoops sometimes seem silly or stupid the thought of not driving is ten times worse.
I hope yuo are back behind the wheel soon and that whatever health problems you face get sorted.
I hope yuo are back behind the wheel soon and that whatever health problems you face get sorted.
The most annoying thing for me the second time I voluntarily suspended my licence was that I'd not long bought a very good condition 20 year old Mk2 Golf GTI for a bit of fun and to have a second car to play with...couldn't bear to see it sitting there on the driveway taunting me, so sold it 6 months later :-(
Edited by phope on Monday 5th November 14:56
I've not been able to drive for some time now. The days of a Lotus giving me grief, an Alfa giving me worse problems and a fight with the wife for the keys to the Audi have faded into the past.
I STILL don't like it. In fact it's by far the worst thing about losing my eysight. Especially if I end up in a badly driven car. I bite my tongue and try and think of something else. Like not having to worry about alcohol and a licence... There are compensations
Sorry I cannot help, at least it's not a perminent sentence.
Ty
I STILL don't like it. In fact it's by far the worst thing about losing my eysight. Especially if I end up in a badly driven car. I bite my tongue and try and think of something else. Like not having to worry about alcohol and a licence... There are compensations
Sorry I cannot help, at least it's not a perminent sentence.
Ty
Alright Dan- had to do 18 months recently after an epileptic fit- I love cars, and like you it wasn't just about losing the independence but losing the hobby as well. The first 3 months were the worst as I kept walking outside with the keys and then realising I couldn't get in and drive....The best thing to do is to look at all the positives from the experience:
1. You weren't banned (i.e. speeding etc). If this had happened you'd be blaming yourself and not the doctor lol
2. You don't have to give people lifts anymore (I forgot how annoying it is to pick up drunken family members!)
3. You'll probably be saving a shed load a cash (save it all up and blow it on something nice after the 12 months!)
Oh and don't count the days- it makes it worse
All the best
P4ROT
1. You weren't banned (i.e. speeding etc). If this had happened you'd be blaming yourself and not the doctor lol
2. You don't have to give people lifts anymore (I forgot how annoying it is to pick up drunken family members!)
3. You'll probably be saving a shed load a cash (save it all up and blow it on something nice after the 12 months!)
Oh and don't count the days- it makes it worse
All the best
P4ROT
I am a type 1 diabetic, so go through the three yearly check ups with the DVLA.
Then in 2007 i had a few fits which were diagnosed as epilepsy. I was off the road for almost 18 months, delays in getting the medical forms sorted, was a pain. Get the forms in a few months before you are due back on the road. The elation and relief when that licence returns is undescribable.
I looked at various things to replace driving, but unfortunately found they all required a license (track days, go karting etc.). So i found my solice in my mountain bike to get my kicks.
Luckily my employers were great. I used to travel fairly extensively around the world and they just sorted out taxis and other transport for me.
Touch wood i no longer take any medication (for the epilepsy) and have been fit free for six years. Just one of those things. Surprised how many others on here have had similar things.
Best of luck, and hope your health recovers soon......
Mike
Then in 2007 i had a few fits which were diagnosed as epilepsy. I was off the road for almost 18 months, delays in getting the medical forms sorted, was a pain. Get the forms in a few months before you are due back on the road. The elation and relief when that licence returns is undescribable.
I looked at various things to replace driving, but unfortunately found they all required a license (track days, go karting etc.). So i found my solice in my mountain bike to get my kicks.
Luckily my employers were great. I used to travel fairly extensively around the world and they just sorted out taxis and other transport for me.
Touch wood i no longer take any medication (for the epilepsy) and have been fit free for six years. Just one of those things. Surprised how many others on here have had similar things.
Best of luck, and hope your health recovers soon......
Mike
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