Informing DVLA that a family member is unfit to drive.

[sagarich]

Long story short.

My Grandad is no longer fit to drive, however he's being stubborn and refusing to inform the DVLA to surrender his licence.

Anyone had any experience of alerting the DVLA on behalf of an elderly relative?

What's the normal protocol? Inform them and they carry out an investigation?

Thanks in advance.

[PositronicRay]

Suggest you talk to his doctor.

[softtop]

PositronicRay said:

Suggest you talk to his doctor.

Agree

do this as he (gramps) is probably making regular visits given whatever condition he has.

[ChasW]

Take the car, or keys, away. Somehow withdrawal of the licence itself is more symbolic and harder to take. Had to discourage both my parents from driving. With my Mum I bought the car off her and that forced the issue.

[knight]

Going through this with my dad, we have written to the DVLA informing them of his medical condition and are just waiting for a reply. In the meantime I have taken his keys away but he still keeps asking me to help him get into his car. I'm wondering if I should hide his car so he hopefully will forget about it!

[KelWedge]

I had the same problem with my Dad 18 months ago, he just kept going out and mostly hitting the gate post trying. A flat battery after I put the lights on! Stopped him.
He is now in a care home, and can't even talk or speak, sad but at least he is safe and so is everyone else.

[Grandfondo]

PositronicRay said:

Suggest you talk to his doctor.

If our experience is anything to go by that would be a waste of time!

[sagarich]

Thanks for all the responses, in the first instance I will ask my folks to speak to his doctor and go from there.

[sagarich]

KelWedge said:

A flat battery after I put the lights on! Stopped him.

This is what I've done, a temporary fix but not ideal.

[sagarich]

Grandfondo said:

PositronicRay said:

Suggest you talk to his doctor.

If our experience is anything to go by that would be a waste of time!

If you didn't get far with the GP, what route did you take?

[nunpuncher]

Had this with my father in law recently. He was so gone in the mind he would walk into the cupboard thinking it was the toilet. And this was in his own home.

We spoke to his GP who did an assessment then told him he was fine to drive. Unfkingbelievable!

Thankfully his licence has since expired and we simply didn't renew it.

[Bone Rat]

Hi, Would suggest you fax or send a letter to the medical department (Drivers Medical Group) at DVLA.

In non emotional language outline your concerns & that you do not feel he is fit to drive. State you do not wish your details to be disclosed; the GP name & the relative's driver number would probably speed things along. You do not need your GP to do this, in fact you may find them reluctant to do it because of confidentiality issues.