DVLA and mental health

littlerat

Ok I've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, came under being controlled so I didn't need to report it (I did check this)...

However to cut a long story short, I've got to go the doctors on wednesday and tell them about suicidal thoughts. Now as I understand it's basically you need to let the DVLA know if you feel like driving into another car at 100MPH or something, which I'm not going to be doing.

Will I need to inform them on the principle of the thoughts, or is it only if you believe yourself or the doctor believes you to be a danger?

Really don't want to lose my license, I love driving, and I'd never drive if I wasn't 100% up to it either

Anybody been there and care to tell me how it all works?

onetomany

i would just have a word with your doctor hun, also check any meds you are one for side affects, when i had a broken foot i rang my insurance company who said as long as doctor said it was ok i could drive,

harveybobbles

Well my OH sufferes the same as the OP and our GP has never mentioned anything to us about letting the DVLA know.

[Deleted User]

My experience of medical fitness to drive with ocular migaines was as follows:

I first phoned my GP for advice, and he told me to ring the DVLA saying "It's not my job to give medical opinions".

I then rang the DVLA medical centre naively expecting some more helpful advice, and had my licence confiscated on the spot by a kid in the call centre asking "what's a migraine?".

It then took me five months to get my licence back.

Don't expect to get anywhere by complaining, the telephonists have heard it all before, and are under strict instructions not to put you through to the doctors or anyone else in authority. The DVLA don't reply to any correpondence on the matter.

Anihilator

Sorry but the OP should tell the DVLA and quite rightly lose their licence.

They have suicidal thoughts and hence are a danger to themselves and others. A vehicle make this a larger danger.

I am sure the family of anyone who dies when they drive onto a train track or down the motorway the wrong way wont have any problem though as the OP didnt want to lose their licence as they liked driving.

OP do the right thing and tell the DVLA and let them decide.

littlerat

Anihilator wrote: »

Sorry but the OP should tell the DVLA and quite rightly lose their licence.

They have suicidal thoughts and hence are a danger to themselves and others. A vehicle make this a larger danger.

I am sure the family of anyone who dies when they drive onto a train track or down the motorway the wrong way wont have any problem though as the OP didnt want to lose their licence as they liked driving.

OP do the right thing and tell the DVLA and let them decide.

Sorry but this sounds a bit aggressive, I'm much less of a danger than the probably hundreds, maybe thousands of people that experience this, don't get themselves any help or treatment, and continue to drive. At least I'm dealing with it!

Just to clarify, suicidal thoughts are NOT the same as actually being suicidal, I'm not completely unstable (yes I'm aware how that sounds, can't think of better phrasing) - I haven't tried, I'm not going to try, and I'd not do any of the above. And while this probably doesn't make me sound better, if I did end up selfish enough to take my own life, I'd sure as hell not take anybody with me!



I'll talk to my GP though, having looked I gather I can post them a form with my GPs opinion or something so at least they'd be considering it fairly.

mollycat

Hi Littlerat.

Ive worked in mental health for over 25 years.

Short answer to your question is no, you do not have to tell them.

Ignore idiots like Annihalator.

Good Luck.

dmg24

littlerat, you do need to notify the DVLA of the change in your condition. You are correct that they will request medical evidence/ opinion on how it affects you.

The issue with suicidal thoughts is that they can escalate into suicidal tendencies or other destructive thought processes.

Good on you for approaching your GP for help, it is not the easiest thing to admit. I hope you get the help that you need.

Anihilator

littlerat wrote: »

Sorry but this sounds a bit aggressive, I'm much less of a danger than the probably hundreds, maybe thousands of people that experience this, don't get themselves any help or treatment, and continue to drive. At least I'm dealing with it!

Just to clarify, suicidal thoughts are NOT the same as actually being suicidal, I'm not completely unstable (yes I'm aware how that sounds, can't think of better phrasing) - I haven't tried, I'm not going to try, and I'd not do any of the above. And while this probably doesn't make me sound better, if I did end up selfish enough to take my own life, I'd sure as hell not take anybody with me!



I'll talk to my GP though, having looked I gather I can post them a form with my GPs opinion or something so at least they'd be considering it fairly.

Oh !!!!!!

Suicidal thoughts arent the same as being suicidal.

Maybe not according to some book but if you are thinking of suicide you are a danger. It doesnt matter if your slightly less dangerous than someone who isnt dealing with it you are still a danger.

It seems to be a case that now the mentally ill cant even be treated like they should be as it would be non pc and instead we should allow them out and about with a car and hope they dont kill someone else if they try and kill themselves.

Ridicolous.

Anihilator

mollycat wrote: »

Hi Littlerat.

Ive worked in mental health for over 25 years.

Short answer to your question is no, you do not have to tell them.

Ignore idiots like Annihalator.

Good Luck.

Care to give us legal backing for your viewpoint?

If the OP is having medical treatment for this sort of condition it does need to be declared.

The only idiot here is the so called mental health worker giving out advice which is potentially dangerous and illegal.

OP also be aware your insurers are likely to void any claims if you dont tell them.

mollycat

Anihilator wrote: »

Care to give us legal backing for your viewpoint?

Read the relevant DVLA guidelines; im not wasting my time conversing with you.

Pap!