The Doctor has told my mum she can no longer drive
Discussion
Sure someone has been through this and can help out
My mum has a heart condition (AF) for the last 15 years but recently when she gets an attack (Couple times per month) her HR drops and she can get dizzy and faint for a few seconds (Whilst sat in her chair), its been worse since about 2021 but what with Covid she has fallen through the cracks .
Last week it became so bad she needed a ambulance ride but after calling them in the 2+ hour wait her attack ended so her heart was pretty much back to normal
Basically she needs a review of her medication since the drugs she is on to lower her HR are lowering it too much or potentially a pacemaker
Docs says due to fainting she cant drive, hopefully this will be a temporary situation resolved either by new drugs and/or surgery
Apart from being 76 she is in good health and normally very active , like most she loves her car (Polo GTI) and loves to drive, this has devastated her.
So what's the best way to deal with it , I can drive the car on my policy but she will need to tell her insurer and presumably lose cover, so perhaps its best for me to put the car in my name and insure/tax it myself ?. Adding another owner won't be a problem
Also her driving licence is up for renewal in July and this is unlikely going to be sorted by then so it is just a case of a normal renewal when she gets the all clear?
My mum has a heart condition (AF) for the last 15 years but recently when she gets an attack (Couple times per month) her HR drops and she can get dizzy and faint for a few seconds (Whilst sat in her chair), its been worse since about 2021 but what with Covid she has fallen through the cracks .
Last week it became so bad she needed a ambulance ride but after calling them in the 2+ hour wait her attack ended so her heart was pretty much back to normal
Basically she needs a review of her medication since the drugs she is on to lower her HR are lowering it too much or potentially a pacemaker
Docs says due to fainting she cant drive, hopefully this will be a temporary situation resolved either by new drugs and/or surgery
Apart from being 76 she is in good health and normally very active , like most she loves her car (Polo GTI) and loves to drive, this has devastated her.
So what's the best way to deal with it , I can drive the car on my policy but she will need to tell her insurer and presumably lose cover, so perhaps its best for me to put the car in my name and insure/tax it myself ?. Adding another owner won't be a problem
Also her driving licence is up for renewal in July and this is unlikely going to be sorted by then so it is just a case of a normal renewal when she gets the all clear?
A relative of mine had a very serious accident with undiagnosed AF. They passed out at the wheel and collided with another car at speed. Please don’t disregard the risk.
Following the accident, their driving licence was suspended. Once they’d had an operation to correct the condition, it was eventually returned, but it was a while before the consultants all agreed.
Following the accident, their driving licence was suspended. Once they’d had an operation to correct the condition, it was eventually returned, but it was a while before the consultants all agreed.
essayer said:
A relative of mine had a very serious accident with undiagnosed AF. They passed out at the wheel and collided with another car at speed. Please don’t disregard the risk.
Following the accident, their driving licence was suspended. Once they’d had an operation to correct the condition, it was eventually returned, but it was a while before the consultants all agreed.
She was diagnosed with AF nearly 20 years ago, when she was working full time, Nobody is disregarding anything Following the accident, their driving licence was suspended. Once they’d had an operation to correct the condition, it was eventually returned, but it was a while before the consultants all agreed.
Firstly I hope your Mum soon improves with revised medication -my Father suffered from AF for many years but luckily not to the point of fainting.
I'm not sure that by maybe phoning the insurance company she is with and the request to simply add you as a named driver whilst being honest and saying " obviously " until she is cleared by the Doctors to drive she wont be ,isn't a bad place to start ?
I certainly wouldn't try on line assuming that's what you originally tried to do ?
Then depending on what they actually say to that you could move forward - it might well be that just cancelling her policy and taking out one in your name might be easier although I don't believe the V5 has also to be in your name in order to do so.
It might also be worthwhile in putting her on your " new " policy then as a named driver ?
Best of luck either way.
I'm not sure that by maybe phoning the insurance company she is with and the request to simply add you as a named driver whilst being honest and saying " obviously " until she is cleared by the Doctors to drive she wont be ,isn't a bad place to start ?
I certainly wouldn't try on line assuming that's what you originally tried to do ?
Then depending on what they actually say to that you could move forward - it might well be that just cancelling her policy and taking out one in your name might be easier although I don't believe the V5 has also to be in your name in order to do so.
It might also be worthwhile in putting her on your " new " policy then as a named driver ?
Best of luck either way.
I suspect the most important point here isn't the insurer; I expect you can inform them AND plausibly keep insurance pending further medical investigation/treatment.
Equally I expect an insurer would be helpful in adding another driver (even if it is just so that the car can be moved if obstructing something, taken to MOT/garage, etc);
The most important issue is whether you need to inform the DVLA;
AFAIK self informing them means right to drive is (usually) then on self-assessment (i.e. to get the licence back you should just need to send them the right form, and can drive from when the form is sent on the assumption your assessment is valid), whereas if they remove the licence then you potentially have to wait for them to reactivate it...
Equally I expect an insurer would be helpful in adding another driver (even if it is just so that the car can be moved if obstructing something, taken to MOT/garage, etc);
The most important issue is whether you need to inform the DVLA;
AFAIK self informing them means right to drive is (usually) then on self-assessment (i.e. to get the licence back you should just need to send them the right form, and can drive from when the form is sent on the assumption your assessment is valid), whereas if they remove the licence then you potentially have to wait for them to reactivate it...
qwerty360 said:
The most important issue is whether you need to inform the DVLA;
AFAIK self informing them means right to drive is (usually) then on self-assessment (i.e. to get the licence back you should just need to send them the right form, and can drive from when the form is sent on the assumption your assessment is valid), whereas if they remove the licence then you potentially have to wait for them to reactivate it...
No its not , this is entirely clear AFAIK self informing them means right to drive is (usually) then on self-assessment (i.e. to get the licence back you should just need to send them the right form, and can drive from when the form is sent on the assumption your assessment is valid), whereas if they remove the licence then you potentially have to wait for them to reactivate it...
[quote=qwerty360
The most important issue is whether you need to inform the DVLA;
AFAIK self informing them means right to drive is (usually) then on self-assessment (i.e. to get the licence back you should just need to send them the right form, and can drive from when the form is sent on the assumption your assessment is valid), whereas if they remove the licence then you potentially have to wait for them to reactivate it...
[/quote]
You can only go the self informing route for certain investigations or conditions if the Doctor allows you to continue driving which in this case unfortunately doesn't appear to be the case.
The most important issue is whether you need to inform the DVLA;
AFAIK self informing them means right to drive is (usually) then on self-assessment (i.e. to get the licence back you should just need to send them the right form, and can drive from when the form is sent on the assumption your assessment is valid), whereas if they remove the licence then you potentially have to wait for them to reactivate it...
[/quote]
You can only go the self informing route for certain investigations or conditions if the Doctor allows you to continue driving which in this case unfortunately doesn't appear to be the case.
qwerty360 said:
Equally I expect an insurer would be helpful in adding another driver (even if it is just so that the car can be moved if obstructing something, taken to MOT/garage, etc)
I suspect most insurers will identify that the main driver is now not the Mum though and that will change the risk profile for the insurance. If the OP is not going to drive the car any more than they would have then you might find some insurers aren't bothered that there's a change in main driver that way, but if the OP is going to drive the Mum instead then I think most would be interested in that change in main driver.I had a heart attack in 2009 and somehow my licence was suspended with immediate effect.
No idea who told the DVLA, maybe it's automatic.
Anyway getting it back wasn't so easy until I stumped up the cash to see the consultant privately to be:
a) Reassured about my condition and that at 46, slim and fit, there was no reason to treat me as a 95 year old.
b) He sorted my licence out with the DVLA that afternoon.
No idea who told the DVLA, maybe it's automatic.
Anyway getting it back wasn't so easy until I stumped up the cash to see the consultant privately to be:
a) Reassured about my condition and that at 46, slim and fit, there was no reason to treat me as a 95 year old.
b) He sorted my licence out with the DVLA that afternoon.
I am a recently retired GP, and this is a common situation. Her insurer and the DVLA will be very used to dealing with this.
The AF should be manageable and in itself is not a contraindication to driving. However, associated symptoms that can affect consciousness are very much a contraindication to driving. So I think her doctor's advice is appropriate and sensible at the moment.
Your mum should advise insurer and DVLA. Have a chat with her insurer about you using the car with your mum as registered keeper. That shouldn't be an issue at all. I'm registered keeper of my son's car, but he is named as main driver, so we aren't fronting the insurance (it is a multi-car policy).
The DVLA will send a request for a report to your mum's GP, these are standard forms. They have different ones, so one for mental health issues, drink and drugs, neurological diseases, etc. Questions will include what symptoms your mum gets, date of last episode, are symptoms now controlled, treatment, etc. Depending on your GP, this may take a few weeks to get done - there are only so many hours in the day and other work is likely to take precedent.
They might well suspend your mum's licence, and then she reapplies once her AF is sorted out. That requires a further questionnaire being sent to doctors treating your mum (well, the same questionnaire a second time IIRC). Reapplying can be a lengthy process, I'm afraid. I am sure many people advised not to drive take the advice but never tell the DVLA and resume once their condition is sorted out. It is well known some drivers ignore the advice and keep driving - usually those suffering with dementia.
This all sounds heavy handed, but I once looked after a driver who briefly lost consciousness at the wheel and drifted into oncoming traffic killing a motorcyclist. Nice bloke, and devastated. Vowed never to get behind the wheel again.
The AF should be manageable and in itself is not a contraindication to driving. However, associated symptoms that can affect consciousness are very much a contraindication to driving. So I think her doctor's advice is appropriate and sensible at the moment.
Your mum should advise insurer and DVLA. Have a chat with her insurer about you using the car with your mum as registered keeper. That shouldn't be an issue at all. I'm registered keeper of my son's car, but he is named as main driver, so we aren't fronting the insurance (it is a multi-car policy).
The DVLA will send a request for a report to your mum's GP, these are standard forms. They have different ones, so one for mental health issues, drink and drugs, neurological diseases, etc. Questions will include what symptoms your mum gets, date of last episode, are symptoms now controlled, treatment, etc. Depending on your GP, this may take a few weeks to get done - there are only so many hours in the day and other work is likely to take precedent.
They might well suspend your mum's licence, and then she reapplies once her AF is sorted out. That requires a further questionnaire being sent to doctors treating your mum (well, the same questionnaire a second time IIRC). Reapplying can be a lengthy process, I'm afraid. I am sure many people advised not to drive take the advice but never tell the DVLA and resume once their condition is sorted out. It is well known some drivers ignore the advice and keep driving - usually those suffering with dementia.
This all sounds heavy handed, but I once looked after a driver who briefly lost consciousness at the wheel and drifted into oncoming traffic killing a motorcyclist. Nice bloke, and devastated. Vowed never to get behind the wheel again.
My step father had some recent episodes of minor fitting and was given a 6 month medical ban. He contacted his insurance company who kept the policy live to retain the fully comp cover even though he wasnt driving. He just wanted to be sure the vehicle was covered as its parked in a communial car park.
What did the doctor say exactly?
Was she told she would no longer be able to drive at all, or that she should not drive for a given period while being diagnosed and having medication reviewed?
When I had a TIA, I was told not to drive for a month until I'd been properly checked out.
Workmate's wife had a pacemaker fitted due to low heart rate, she was told not to drive for a couple of weeks, but is now fine.
Was she told she would no longer be able to drive at all, or that she should not drive for a given period while being diagnosed and having medication reviewed?
When I had a TIA, I was told not to drive for a month until I'd been properly checked out.
Workmate's wife had a pacemaker fitted due to low heart rate, she was told not to drive for a couple of weeks, but is now fine.
Ive had this myself , a few years ago i had a bad car crash, it left me with epilepsy ( i suffered quiet a bad head injury).
I imediatly stopped driving as my doctors said to and surrendered my licence.
A few years after ( after many siezures and broken bones, my poor nose has been broken over 15 times, and lost count of the number of ribs, and alot worse) they finaly got my meds right, and i no longer surrer from siezures.
My doctor told me that i could re apply for my licence, but after changing my life to suit not driving, I moved to the centre of town so good transport, plus walking gets me around ok, plus early part retirement, i work from home alot, the internet has made things easy, i can do data work on a race car from my sofa.
Plus the face that driving really, looking back, enjoyable anymore, either on a motorway scared of getting done speeding everywhere, or stuck in traffic, on our lovely potholed roads, so i decided i dont really need to drive anymore, plus it saves me the not small cost of having a motorbike and car to run.
Plus in the back of my mind there is always the chance i may have another siezure, so to me not worth the risk, if i passed out at 70 on the motorway, i could cause carnage, i couldnt live with that risk.
So i dont drive.
I have found it much less of a dissadvantage that i thought i would, and a bonus, i am fitter now, as i walk almost everywhere, and i get to see things you miss in a car.
Im 52 now, and as my username might sugest, i work in motorsport, have done for decades, luckily i was able to semiretire early, but not doing so wasnt an option due to my injuries, so not my choice. but in reality its given me a new life i wouldnt have before.
So her choice, but think carefuly as not driving isnt the thing it once was
I imediatly stopped driving as my doctors said to and surrendered my licence.
A few years after ( after many siezures and broken bones, my poor nose has been broken over 15 times, and lost count of the number of ribs, and alot worse) they finaly got my meds right, and i no longer surrer from siezures.
My doctor told me that i could re apply for my licence, but after changing my life to suit not driving, I moved to the centre of town so good transport, plus walking gets me around ok, plus early part retirement, i work from home alot, the internet has made things easy, i can do data work on a race car from my sofa.
Plus the face that driving really, looking back, enjoyable anymore, either on a motorway scared of getting done speeding everywhere, or stuck in traffic, on our lovely potholed roads, so i decided i dont really need to drive anymore, plus it saves me the not small cost of having a motorbike and car to run.
Plus in the back of my mind there is always the chance i may have another siezure, so to me not worth the risk, if i passed out at 70 on the motorway, i could cause carnage, i couldnt live with that risk.
So i dont drive.
I have found it much less of a dissadvantage that i thought i would, and a bonus, i am fitter now, as i walk almost everywhere, and i get to see things you miss in a car.
Im 52 now, and as my username might sugest, i work in motorsport, have done for decades, luckily i was able to semiretire early, but not doing so wasnt an option due to my injuries, so not my choice. but in reality its given me a new life i wouldnt have before.
So her choice, but think carefuly as not driving isnt the thing it once was
As others have said, you should be able to keep the policy active.
I had to surrender my licence for a year for health reasons. I contacted my insurer to explain and ask their advice and they just made a note and kept the policy active. My OH was a named driver on my policy, but I don't think that made any difference.
I had to surrender my licence for a year for health reasons. I contacted my insurer to explain and ask their advice and they just made a note and kept the policy active. My OH was a named driver on my policy, but I don't think that made any difference.
InitialDave said:
What did the doctor say exactly?
Was she told she would no longer be able to drive at all, or that she should not drive for a given period while being diagnosed and having medication reviewed?
When I had a TIA, I was told not to drive for a month until I'd been properly checked out.
Workmate's wife had a pacemaker fitted due to low heart rate, she was told not to drive for a couple of weeks, but is now fine.
Just to clarify this is a consultant cardiologist not a GPWas she told she would no longer be able to drive at all, or that she should not drive for a given period while being diagnosed and having medication reviewed?
When I had a TIA, I was told not to drive for a month until I'd been properly checked out.
Workmate's wife had a pacemaker fitted due to low heart rate, she was told not to drive for a couple of weeks, but is now fine.
Was told that whilst the (NEW) fainting symptoms persist she should not drive, no doubt , very clear. With any luck this will be temporary a change in medication* could sort it but further info is required before full prognosis . She would not normally drive when in AF not that there was ever a medical reason not do but she is careful.
She loves her car and doesn't want to sell it and doesn't want to leave it unused in the car park at her house where it many get knocked etc
- She is on two medications (antiarrhythmics) whose function is to slow the heart rate , the issue is that its dropping below 40bpm hence the fainting
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