Notifying the DVLA / car insurance ?

[Englishgremlin1]

agree that DVLA are no good for advice, I am still driving from my chair and I got advice from a regional driving centre where they sorted out what adaptions I need. I was told to include what effects your driving (eyesisht, ability to control pedals etc.. and have to drive an automatic, and in my case left hand break and accelerate.

If your situation is not as severe and the consultant/GP thinks you are safe to drive, and you feel safe as well, then tell then nothing and do not complicate your life! I would ask you GP ( if they are fully human) and get advice from them first.

[BendyBoff]

When I spoke to the DVLA they didn't seem too bothered about HMS/EDS and neither did the insurance company!

[Bo1970]

EDS isn't listed under the notifiable medical condition but Marfan is
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... /DG_185675

[sheppeyescapee]

Fitness to drive - I have been pondering learning to drive but I have many concerns about it, mostly because I don't think I would be a safe driver, I can barely cross the road safely at times. My biggest worries are the blackouts, fainting, absences, dizziness, vertigo, I even manage to blackout while sitting down! is there an amount of time I would need to be able to go without these happening? They happen all the time. Thinking it probably wouldn't be safe at the moment until I can get these under control. I don't think I go a day without one of these things happening. People keep on at me about learning to drive and I was just wondering theoretically wether that was possible all things considered, probably wouldn't do it in the end.

[Rosie]

Hi all

sheppey - if you are fainting or blacking out everyday, it is unlikely that you would be considered safe to drive. I ssem to remember that you are not allowed to drive in the UK within ayear of an epileptic fit, so I shuld think it would be something similar. The other question is, would you consider yourself safe to drive? You know your body best, so you can decide for yourself if you think you can be in charge of a very heavy lethal weapon

Rosie

[Stone]

A friend has epilepsy, and like Rosie says, if you have a fit you have to give up your licence for a year. I seem to recall you have to have it under control and no fits for 3 years before you can take the test in the first place though?

If you're unpredictably blacking out and being absent then you would definitely not be safe to drive. Insurance companies are slippery at the best of times - were you to have an accident then they would probably use it as an excuse not to pay out and you could be left with terrifying bills - not to mention how badly you could injure yourself! I would wait until you are a bit better controlled, and make sure you involve your GP so you couldn't later be accused of hiding your symptoms from the DVLA. Bit of a ridiculous situation that you would have to cover yourself like that but I know what insurance companies are like firsthand...

I can't remember if you have a blue badge but if you don't it would definitely be worth applying even without being able to drive yourself - just makes it a bit easier for anyone who might need to taxi you around

Stone

[sheppeyescapee]

Thanks Stone and Rosie, I thought that might be the case. Yeah we do have a blue badge and it is really helpful when am being driven around

[Stone]

More to the point, my friend had another fit (apparently forgot to take his pills, then had a long night watching films and slept in past the next dose...) and has had his licence taken away again. It's really messed him up - not only has he lost his independence but he's had to turn down job offers etc because he can't drive to them. It's probably better not to have it in the first place if there's the risk of it being taken away again since it's much harder to deal with when you know what you're missing...

[jill1909]

mod edit - quote of previous post removed as not needed

That's terrible to hear. I had a similar thing happen to my brother. It's tough watching them go through this. Luckily I have been able to drive him when he needs me to.

Jill