Advised to withdraw my appeal at hearing?

krisskross

charmaine wrote: »

Tomorrow morning I will ring DVLA and my GP and Pyschiatrist to find out what should be done. So thank you to all who commented. What I ask is if anyone can suggest what I should do now in terms of the DLA.?

Is there still the possibility that you could lose your current award even though you withdrew the appeal?

charmaine

well as far as I know thats it all over now. I still keep my existing award as before.

Richie-from-the-Boro

charmaine wrote: »

Tomorrow morning I will ring DVLA and my GP and Pyschiatrist to find out what should be done. So thank you to all who commented. What I ask is if anyone can suggest what I should do now in terms of the DLA.?

You've just narrowly escaped having your driving licence suspended for a fixed or indefinite period, and in addition having your current levels of DLA reduced or cancelled and you want to know before the ink is dry on your tribunal notes whether you should pick the same fight with the same powerful people ?

sizzler1893

As you can see I've never posted before but I have some relevant info here.

I'm on a 3 year medical licence which was renewed only last month for another 3 years.

I have type 1 Diabetes and RSD, a Chronic Neuropathic pain Syndrome. I have been on various opiate based drugs for years.

At the moment I use Fentynal Patches and oramorph (among other things). These were all declared to the DVLA on my Medical forms and as I said they have granted me another 3 year Licence.

I should also of said whenever there is a change of dose or a new med added I wont drive for the first few days so I can see how I'm affected if at all. Personally I think this is sensible for every driver on meds

The phrase on most Drugs is 'This may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol'

I think the key thing here is the word 'may', in my case it takes very high doses of meds to make me even in slightest drowsy. Even when I have GAs it takes a double dose of sedatives to knock me out.

Yes it is up to a licence holder to find out what the DVLA think about their medication but In 15 years I've never had any problems with the terms and conditions of my licence.

Sueinbirmingham

There are specific provisions relating to driving when you have bipolar disorder. It depends on factors such as how frequently you cycle and how long it is since your last episode. The specific details are laid out on the DVLA website.

I don't think anyone mentioned this, so apologies if they did, but if you don't notify DVLA when you have a condition that may affect your ability to drive or that may affect whether you would be permitted by the DVLA to continue to hold a driving licence, your insurance will be invalid. Now, if you run someone over, they used to be able to claim against the MIB, though I don't know what the position is these days (I'm a bit out of date on that bit), but if you get hurt, you won't be able to claim on the insurance you thought you had. You may then also find yourself being prosecuted, even if it wasn't you that caused the accident, for driving without valid insurance.

So even if you're unsure about whether to tell the DVLA, make sure you tell your insurer, and if they say you should tell the DVLA, do it.

zaksmum

On my painkillers carton it says "May cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate heavy machinery". They don't cause drowsiness in me so wouldn't affect any abilities I have to drive or do anything else.

I wouldn't see any reason to advise DLVA!

Sorry...DVLA!

sleepless_saver

The directgov website has a whole list of medical conditions, and for each says whether or not you need to notify DVLA. Bipolar disorder is one of those where you do need to complete the form provided and notify DVLA>

The OP's GP really should have mentioned this to her.

Just off to check if any of my conditions are notifiable....

saving_pennies

I'm not sure doctors always know when to tell DVLA. I think they do with conditions that stop you driving but in my experience they don't with other conditions for example my GP treated me for yeas before we both discovered I had to inform DVLA that I had OCD. The DVLA were helpful and when I called I went through my medical conditions and the only one I had to disclose was OCD and they sent a form to be completed by my GP. Interestingly they didn't need to investigate whether my chronic fatigue syndrome had an impact on my driving!! Both me and my GP didn't follow this logic. Obviously I only drive when I am well enough and other people give me lifts if it is a long journey.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Bipolar ref for zaksmum

Driving licences

All licence holders and applicants for a licence are required by law to notify the DVLA (DVLNI in Northern Ireland) if they have a medical condition that could affect their fitness to drive. So you should first check whether your medical condition prevents you from holding a driving licence. Advice about driving and medical conditions (for example, epilepsy, diabetes and heart complaints) can be found on the web sites of the DVLA and DVLNI . Useful advice is also given about driving after surgery and for people with physical disabilities.

Car insurance & Medicals

Car insurers will wish to know about medical conditions likely to affect safe driving, and will ask appropriate questions when you take out or renew your motor car insurance.
Many insurers adopt the stance that, provided any medical condition or other disability has been notified to the appropriate licensing authority, and a driving licence has been issued, then they will treat the application no differently from someone without such a condition (all other things being equal).

It is a condition of all car insurance policies that the insured drivers hold the appropriate driving licence.
You must answer truthfully any questions about medical conditions when you take out or renew your motor insurance.
This is important because, if you fail to provide truthful answers, you may find that your claim will not be paid, especially if you have an accident that is attributable to your medical condition.

If you are any doubt about your medical condition and the implications for your motor insurance cover, do discuss the matter with your insurer. Similarly, have a word with your doctor if you have any queries about your medical conditions or have been prescribed drugs or other treatment that could affect your driving ability.

Insurers are required by law to justify their stance if they wish to treat people with medical conditions or other disabilities differently from other people. For example, they may use actuarial data, medical research information or a report from your doctor.

zaksmum

Why are you giving me the Bipolar ref., Richie?