driving

icd

hi all,newbie here,ive just received notification that iam to receive higher rate of mobility due to recent heart attack and being fitted with a icd.i would like to start driving is there any where i can find out about financial help with driving lessons and financial help to get a car?
many thanks in advance.

somebody_else

icd wrote: »

hi all,newbie here,ive just received notification that iam to receive higher rate of mobility due to recent heart attack and being fitted with a icd.i would like to start driving is there any where i can find out about financial help with driving lessons and financial help to get a car?
many thanks in advance.

Before you do anything else, check with DVLC about whether you're allowed to drive. No-one is permitted to drive within 6 months of a heart attack, there are also other restrictions with regard to certain types of surgical procedure so you need to check that you'll be issued a licence before you go any further.

icd

hi s/e,
i had my heart attack in july so my 6 months will be up when i get round to taking lessons,but i better look into driving with an icd fitted although my surgeon said it shouldnt cause any problems but he did mention im not allowed to drive for 6 months.
many thanks for your time s/e.

dexyblue

You can get a car on Motability if you receive the higher rate of DLA Mobility component. They have a dedicated web site that explains all.

colin13

u can apply to mobility for help with driving lessons i am sure,, they will if u meet the requirments pay for a block booking for u,,ur driving instructor has to let them know details

nanokitten

Yes, you have to ring motability customer service to find out about driving lesson grants as they seem to have taken everything but a brief referance out. http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm?Type=CFIS
When I got my grant a few years back you filled in a form and got two quotes for lessons and I got 52 hours paid for, however I seem to remeber something about a big firm like BSM geting a contract but I don't know about now.

You will also have to fill in some forms for the dvla
which takes them a while (as they may write to your doctor) so I'd get both things rolling as they will take a while to come though and you don't have to take up the grant if when its offered if you cant drive. (though a carer used to be able to get a 50% grant).
infor from the dvla here to downlad: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/medical.aspx
you can also down load the forms to speed things up http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_10010623

here's a guide for heart conditions http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_10031251

heres the form for heart conditions http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_10010623?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=177293&Rendition=Web
also a special one for ICD's (I'd fill in both) http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_10010623?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=177294&Rendition=Web

icd

many thanks all especially nanokitten i shall look into all this great info,great to have people like you all around to help a newly disabled newbie.thanks again.

icd

it seems because i am 40 years young i dont get help with driving lessons as help is only available for 16-24 year olds .

allydowd

The Disabled Drivers Association may be able to advise you:

Mobilise link

nanokitten

icd wrote: »

it seems because i am 40 years young i dont get help with driving lessons as help is only available for 16-24 year olds .

OMG, where did you here that, I'm, sure I was older than that when I got my grant, it'll be a real shame if thats the case.
ICD, glad to be able to help, I was totally at sea when I first got ill and there was b***er all support back then so its been through years of struggling that most of us have learnt. I wish there'd been such a great forum back then.

icd

hi nanokitten,i got that info from the mobility site i also done the "ask mo" part of the site which also said help with driving lessons if you are 16-24 only.sad if this is true with the average cost of a lesson is £20,which would eat up the majority of my disability benefit.im new to all this so still finding my feet with my disability and what you can/can't claim for.