Are you allowed to drive?

Atomised

I was wondering if any posters don't meet DVLA requirements for a licence?

[Deleted User]

At the age of 38 i developed epilepsy after 2 strokes and had to surrender my licence after 21 years of driving.I dont miss it at all,and the free bus(and local train and tram)pass saves me a fortune

[Deleted User]

Nope, I handed my licence in

I've had epilepsy since I was a child. I had brain surgery, no seizures :j was allowed to learn how to drive. I passed both practical and theory first time and had been driving only a few months when the docs decided to reduce my meds & I had a nocturnal seizure & I've continued to have them since.

So now waiting impatiently for 3 yrs to pass to esablish a pattern of nocturnal only so I can get my licence back. Not likely I'll drive again though, too much stress and what ifs but I'd like my licence just because I earnt it. I dont actually miss driving wasnt driving long enough and I found it stressful and costly. It did help me do my job easier but I'm used to planning round public transport and have access to work in place.

[Deleted User]

Fingers crossed for you. They can give you a temporary licence, when or if I get my licence back it will more than likely be valid for a year or so. They then contact you as it due to run out to find out how your health is.They do this with a someone I know who has epilepsy.

If they so say no remember to apply for your free bus pass if you have not got one already and if you work contact JCP for http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347 access to work

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Employers/advisoryservices/diversity/Dev_015798.xml.html

savetilibleed

I don't meet the requirements for a driving licence. I have had epilepsy since 1976 (nocturnal then) which was fairly quickly got under full control. Still had to hand licence in and wait the three years. I was OK for about 12 years after I regain my licence when I started getting daytime seizures and they haven't stopped. It was real bad back about 5-6 years ago, getting two types of seizures. It is better again now but I don't think I'll ever be free, not being controlled.

I missed driving a lot, more so when my wife was still driving. I'd sit in the passenger seat and seeth! Now we don't have a car at all, I don't mind. :rolleyes:

UKTigerlily

I don't currently have my provisional due to mental illness but if I remain stable for so long could then get it back, it doesn't worry me, I doubt i'd drive anyway!

savetilibleed

Atomised wrote: »

Seething at wifey for being a better driver eh?:rotfl:
Well you know how it is with woman and parking! She isn't good at all. Can't reverse a tiny car into a space to save her life. My sister is excellent though, parks her big car really well - very impressed indeed. She was taught well by her late husband how to park properly.

hayley11

I can't get a license because I can't see well enough. I'd absolutely love to be able to drive though, I would love that freedom.

I was reading a leaflet the other day and it said you qualified for a bus pass if you don't meet the requirements for a driving license, I don't think you have to be registered disabled. That was for Manchester though but as they now have one national pass i'm sure it would be the same all over the country.

savetilibleed

hayley11 wrote: »

I was reading a leaflet the other day and it said you qualified for a bus pass if you don't meet the requirements for a driving license, I don't think you have to be registered disabled. That was for Manchester though but as they now have one national pass i'm sure it would be the same all over the country.

Well I live in a London borough and I just received my renewal form for my Disabled Freedom Pass, which doesn't expire until March 2010. I need to sent three passport type photos, state when my last seizure was, include a prescription, and GP or Consultant details. Seems it takes them all that time until just into Jan 2010 they inform you if you can have your pass again, which BTW is now going to be like a driving licence wit your photo incorporated into the pass. So no need for a separate photocard.

No indeed you do not have to be registered disabled, just not meet DVLA requirements for a driving licence - well that's how it is for Freedom Pass in London. Other councils may have different requirements. I did hear that in some places to have to actually apply for a licence and get refused before a pass is issued!!

[Deleted User]

savetilibleed wrote: »

No indeed you do not have to be registered disabled, just not meet DVLA requirements for a driving licence - well that's how it is for Freedom Pass in London. Other councils may have different requirements. I did hear that in some places to have to actually apply for a licence and get refused before a pass is issued!!

Thats terrible having to pay out for a licence application knowing you'd prob be refused. Having a long wait for the decision and only then applying.

Merseyside state 'you do not have to actually have to be refused for a licence to apply for a bus pass'.
There own doctors make an assessment if they should give you a pass. I assumed all areas where the same. Though Merseyside has had a really good 'free pass' long before the new national pass which lets us use the local trains too.

I do like my pass now it's a small card, it used to fall to bits with overuse lol now it looks like it will last untill it runs out in 2010 (unless I lose it )

soolin

In some areas of London you can also access 'Dial A Ride' as well and although I am fully aware of the problems it is having it has it does mean you can get direct to some places that public transport doesn't reach.

Worth a look if you are in the right areas.