RE: PH Blog: life without a licence
Monday 5th November 2012
Every now and then, when you have one of those serious chats about the joys of driving, someone will likely raise their eyebrows and wheel out that old 'driving's a privilege not a right of course...' line. And it'll likely go in one ear and then out the other.
None of this nonsense for a year...It's clearly a huge practical inconvenience but, of course, to the likes of us driving is about more than just transport. I still get an almost childlike glee from making a car go, stop and corner that's not diminished one bit in the near two decades I've been doing it and the thought I'm not allowed to do it for another year is gutting to say the least.
PH Blog: life without a licence
Nothing like being told you can't do something to make you realise how much you love it
Until, like me, you suddenly face a doctor telling you you're not allowed to drive for a year. Which, given my line of work, does suck somewhat. But it's One Of Those Things there's no argument or discussion with. Mr Loophole could give you a fighting chance against the courts. But even he'd be powerless against the docs.
None of this nonsense for a year...
What does this mean for PH though? Absolutely nothing! I might not be able to drive cars for a bit but I can sure as hell talk, write and think about them as much as I ever did and the team will shortly be back up to full strength (more on this soon) so between us there's no shortage of driving talent around. And I've already had some interesting offers of ways I can keep my hand in that I'll be following up in due course. For whatever reason I'm guessing I'll not be the only person on here who's had to face an involuntary period on the subs bench and I'll be sharing my experiences as a non-driving car nut on occasion here. But I'd be interested to hear how others have coped.
Answers below much appreciated...
Dan
Discussion
I had exactly the same thing in 2007. It's very annoying to start with and makes you feel like a teenager asking to be driven everywhere.
I was lucky in that my wife, friends and colleagues showed a lot of generosity in driving me about the place so I didn't have too much trouble getting around.
You'll be surprised at how quickly the year will pass.
It feels quite strange when you start driving again for a couple of weeks though!
I was lucky in that my wife, friends and colleagues showed a lot of generosity in driving me about the place so I didn't have too much trouble getting around.
You'll be surprised at how quickly the year will pass.
It feels quite strange when you start driving again for a couple of weeks though!
P.S. Although it's along way off, make sure when the time comes that you get the paperwork in progress as early as possible with the DVLA to re-apply as it can take a long time. Subsequent medical renewals are much easier if that will affect you.
Also be aware that most insurers require you (as the policy holder) to have a licence so any policies you have may become invalid. I had to look around a lot but Peter Best were very helpful for me.
Also be aware that most insurers require you (as the policy holder) to have a licence so any policies you have may become invalid. I had to look around a lot but Peter Best were very helpful for me.
I had a month of it about 25 years ago. My wife took great pleasure showing me how it felt to be a passenger with a driver driving the way I did.......zooming up to the back of the stationary car in front and slamming the brakes on. It made me change my driving style completely.
The month seemed to last for ever, and it did feel weird driving again for a few days. Bit like when you come out of hospital having been in a small private room for a week - your own lounge at home feels enormous for a few days
The month seemed to last for ever, and it did feel weird driving again for a few days. Bit like when you come out of hospital having been in a small private room for a week - your own lounge at home feels enormous for a few days
I also had to have a year away from the steering wheel. It certainly made me get out on the bike more and plan my journeys (lifts), but strangely after a month or so it was not the big problem I thought it would be.
The wife was a star (and friends as well) but it seemed like no time at all before I was completing that licence application.
Chin up and I hope that whatever has caused this is resolved.
The wife was a star (and friends as well) but it seemed like no time at all before I was completing that licence application.
Chin up and I hope that whatever has caused this is resolved.
Same thing has happened to me. Doctor says I can't drive as I'm under treatment because I recently had a couple of blackouts.
Its amazing how much of your life it changes. Everything has to be planned well in advance. I live in a small village with a crap bus service, so the only way to get around is by cadging a lift with family and friends. Getting the simplest things done is a major effort. I'm even letting my hair grow long as I'm finding it difficult to get to the barbers.
Worst of all, I know most people are secretly thinking that I've been done for Drink Driving.
Its amazing how much of your life it changes. Everything has to be planned well in advance. I live in a small village with a crap bus service, so the only way to get around is by cadging a lift with family and friends. Getting the simplest things done is a major effort. I'm even letting my hair grow long as I'm finding it difficult to get to the barbers.
Worst of all, I know most people are secretly thinking that I've been done for Drink Driving.
Ugh. i think you have everyone here's sympathies I'm sure. Life is bull-excrement at times isn't it? 
I've had two periods in my life car-less.
I moved to London, and on the strength of advice from others there and the obvious impracticalities of owning a car in the city vs. abundant public travel, sold up and ploughed the money into a season ticket. It's true that you don't need a car in London, but after only a few months I started to become conscious of how much of life still went on outside the M25. Family and friends who lived beyond the beaten track of rail or bus required planning and preparation to get to. And moving anything larger than you could carry with two hands became a major task in its own right. I crumbled after about 9 months and started looking, ending up buying a replacement car within a year. (Same make & model even - Toyota Celica GT4. Oh so practical for the city commute... :-p)
Second was when I spent a year working in Houston, Texas. Very weird experience because the entire culture and all mobility is centered around car use out there. Again, I made do - with lifts from friends and hire cars for weekends, plus I took my life into my hands and cycled. In that case I knew that I was only there for a fixed period and it didn't really make sense to get a car, but I keenly felt the loss again. It's like losing a limb in a way, or any other faculty that becomes so common-place and ordinary that you barely even register its presence until it's gone. :'(
I actually have two cars these days, perhaps as a sub-conscious insurance against car-less-ness.
I've had two periods in my life car-less.
I moved to London, and on the strength of advice from others there and the obvious impracticalities of owning a car in the city vs. abundant public travel, sold up and ploughed the money into a season ticket. It's true that you don't need a car in London, but after only a few months I started to become conscious of how much of life still went on outside the M25. Family and friends who lived beyond the beaten track of rail or bus required planning and preparation to get to. And moving anything larger than you could carry with two hands became a major task in its own right. I crumbled after about 9 months and started looking, ending up buying a replacement car within a year. (Same make & model even - Toyota Celica GT4. Oh so practical for the city commute... :-p)
Second was when I spent a year working in Houston, Texas. Very weird experience because the entire culture and all mobility is centered around car use out there. Again, I made do - with lifts from friends and hire cars for weekends, plus I took my life into my hands and cycled. In that case I knew that I was only there for a fixed period and it didn't really make sense to get a car, but I keenly felt the loss again. It's like losing a limb in a way, or any other faculty that becomes so common-place and ordinary that you barely even register its presence until it's gone. :'(
I actually have two cars these days, perhaps as a sub-conscious insurance against car-less-ness.
Geoff101 said:
P.S. Although it's along way off, make sure when the time comes that you get the paperwork in progress as early as possible with the DVLA to re-apply as it can take a long time. Subsequent medical renewals are much easier if that will affect you.
Definitely this. I seem to remember that you can start the re-application process 3 months before the 1 year anniversary. I did (sent by recorded post) yet the DVLA, unsurprisingly, were very slow it took approx 5 months to actually get my licence back!
On your coping question, you do get use to it to a degree and with the help of friends my year went fairly quick. It did make me realise how lucky I was to have a licence when i got it back though!
12 months off driving sounds like a good excuse to get the spanners out and do some modifications to the car. Mines is off the road for the winter and I've set myself the task of poly bushing it plus various other niggly things that are too much hassle on a daily driver. Hope all is well and all that.
Dan Trent said:
Heartening stuff and good tip on getting the application process started early - it'd be gutting to see that date pass and be waiting on the DVLA to process it!
And it'll not be a year before I drive something again but more on this in due course...
Technically you're covered to drive whilst your application is in progress but as they theoretically could refuse it, I had a hard time convincing my insurance company of this and had to fax all sorts of things to them.And it'll not be a year before I drive something again but more on this in due course...
Last year I was forced to voluntarily surrender my driving license due to having an epileptic fit whilst getting ready for work. At first I thought it would be the end of the world, but a year sure can fly by quickly.
I work for a BMW Dealership who were great about it all, it hindered my job role, but was still able to get on with my primary job role. I could still drive in our car park (which is massive) so it kept me in the loop of parking and general driving.
I got my driving license back on Friday and it's such an immense feeling to be back on the road.
My advise would be keep trying to drive on private land (where they wont sue you if you do damage!) where you can, anything is better than nothing. (Donuts in a P/E S2000 with the roof down is always great fun!)
And I concur, get your application in early, you can do it 3 months in advance!
I work for a BMW Dealership who were great about it all, it hindered my job role, but was still able to get on with my primary job role. I could still drive in our car park (which is massive) so it kept me in the loop of parking and general driving.
I got my driving license back on Friday and it's such an immense feeling to be back on the road.
My advise would be keep trying to drive on private land (where they wont sue you if you do damage!) where you can, anything is better than nothing. (Donuts in a P/E S2000 with the roof down is always great fun!)
And I concur, get your application in early, you can do it 3 months in advance!
Sorry to read this Dan.
A good friend of mine was faced with a similar possibility earlier this year - when we stopped to think about the inconvenience it was depressing, however his line of work required him to drive and to be fair, you (and I to some degree) could carry on working without a licence.
Fingers crossed you're terrorising everyone with the MX5 again soon.
A good friend of mine was faced with a similar possibility earlier this year - when we stopped to think about the inconvenience it was depressing, however his line of work required him to drive and to be fair, you (and I to some degree) could carry on working without a licence.
Fingers crossed you're terrorising everyone with the MX5 again soon.
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