Am I allowed to drive??

scottnsharon

Hi all - I have read somewhere that if you are bi-polar then your car insurance would be invalid. Does anyone know if this is true please. Ive had a licence application in the drawer for a while now but since reading this dont know whether Its worth filling it in... Any input gratefully received. Thanks Scott

moose1982

Being bi-polar is not a barrier to driving at all, only a few conditions are. But most are subject to how badly they affect you. I would recommend you give DVLA a call to get their advice because it'll be them who decide.

To give you an example of someone famous who drives and has bi-polar, Stephen Fry. He has a London taxi and is bi-polar.

scottnsharon

Thanks for that Moose - take care

megc_2

I have bipolar and drive for work.
As long as you tell the DVLA when yo apply for your licence and they approve it, you will be ok. They will seek a repoort on your condition form your GP and maybe your psychiatrist as well, to make sure you have not been psychotic recently and are safe to drive.
You need to inform your insurance of the fact that the DVLA is aware and has no probems with you driving. Some companies will ask what your medical condition is; some will just ask if the DVLA has placed restrictions on your licence.

QuackQuackOops

Dont forget to tell Insurance companies know too.

scottnsharon

Thanks all - good luck..

bluelight

I had a mental health problem over 15 years ago and had to tell DVLA once I was completely discharged. The Drivers' Medical Branch at DVLA are, in my experience, very helpful. If you go to directgov.uk, there are links for the medical conditions you need to inform DVLA about which should lead you to the appropriate notification form. Download it, print it off, complete and send off to DVLA Driver's Medical Branch. If you need help filling it in, ring DVLA. Best of luck, mate.

Richie-from-the-Boro

The GOV list is here how to inform them is here and the general page is here.

There have been may posts over the last several years in this forum on this subject. The general rule is that you tell the DLVA and find out the real facts and you inform DVLA if you need to and your insurance company who are underwriting the risk to yourself and others.

One post in the past I clearly recall recoiled from the above suggestion, because she needed the car to take the kids to school and visit her friends. She also admitted to over-frequent self-medicating on top of the other prescribed substances.

Mrs_Ryan

Someone I know is bi-polar and she drives, and OH has psychosis and he drives - the DVLA know and he is on a restricted licence, as do esure, his insurance people and we've never had a single issue. As long as you're up front, you should be fine.

rotoguys

Phew!! I have just had a look at the DVLA website and according to that list, I shouldn't be driving anything - not even a disability scooter!

I do think that they are going over the top with some of the conditions though.

How the ***** am I supposed to get around living about 3 miles from the nearest main road that has three buses a day running. My wife - well forget her, according to that list she is knocking on the Pearly Gates!!

I suppose the writing is on the wall for us and we will be found when the snow and ice has melted.

Richie-from-the-Boro

In that case you will need this URL .. .. when completed and signed you send it here :

Post to :

Drivers Medical Group
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1TU

Additionally depending on the length of time you have been both driving a vehicle and uninsured before informing the relevant authorities / GP / Swansea / Insurers / etc, you may wish to take advice.

If you have just 'developed the medical condition' that disbars you in the last day or so and you inform on yourself immediately the police may take no action.