Driving

Cyclamen

I stopped driving when i first became ill.. I chose to do this and sold my car.

I contacted DVLA to see if i had to give my license back.. they wrote back saying thanks for letting us know but your license isn't affected.

I have fluctuating symptoms.. some days i feel pretty good.. others i'm bedridden, but I am slowly stabilising and working on strength etc.

I would absolutely love to be able to drive 10 minutes and park up in a layby just to see fields, enjoy green space or even go to the park. The freedom and the 'doing something that was normal', we'd still use taxi's for hospital trips and anytime i am likely to be out for more than an hour or symptoms flare etc. I have a great carer who takes detours when she brings me back from appointments so i can see the fields.. but we dont have the time to just stop and enjoy them.

BUT... and i use capitals because it's a big but i want to see someone who can discuss this with me.. tell me if i'm ok.. see if i still have suitable reaction times, etc etc . Can anyone tell me where to look?

I looked at motability but that is expensive.. my insurance (and i will declare things) is about £6 a week, i'd save for MOT, have family who can do repairs, servicing.. very low mileage etc.. so it wouldnt be financially sensible. From there website they only do assesments after you start applying for a motability car.. so no help for me there.

I had thought of just getting a refresher lesson to see if I can drive but want to see soemone trained in disability etc.

I've exhausted my google options as i just don't know what to search for.. any ideas please? I've found pages from altzheimers and brain injury charities (not my illnesses) saying that there patients may still be eligible to drive.. but no idea how to find someone to tell me.

I am very aware that cars are dangerous things, and I want to talk to an expert who has far more knowledge about disability and driving than i do.. just to see if its something I can work towards.

I don't hold out hopes for motorway trips to visit family but popping to the shop , taking dog to park etc.

I'd be looking at as lower engine cc as i can get, and something we can get my 'wheels' in the boot of.. but hubby does the lifting. He can't drive and due to his disability he isn't up to it so that isn't an option.

sueturnersmith

Try these people:http://qef.org.uk/our-services/mobility-services/

They were very good when my daughter needed to get her licence back after illness. They may also know of other places if this one is not near you.

sunnyone

So long as you get HRM you can have a driving assessment free of charge at your regional Mobility Center.

They then produce a report which you send to Swansea, I also send a copy to my insurers.

Cyclamen

Thanks Sue.. they are a bit too far for me to get too..

Thanks Sunnyone.. iread on the website that you could only get a free assesment if you were intending to use your DLA for a motability car.. have i got confused?

sunnyone

Cyclamen wrote: »

Thanks Sue.. they are a bit too far for me to get too..

Hi Sunnyone.. iread on the website that you could only get a free assesment if you were intending to use your DLA for a motability car.. have i got confused?

I payed for my first assessment because I didnt know I could have one free of charge, my second was free and I wasnt intending to get a motabilty car on either occassion, I just contacted the center and booked my appointment then took my proof of HRM with me to the center.

My last assessment was just over three years ago when I was assessed for a WAV, I dont think things will have changed but I would ring the center for confirmation.

Myusernamehasgone

We are a driving school and do assessments for the Sheffield hospitals especially after people have had strokes. If you get in touch with your local hospital they should have a list of schools who work with them, although it isn't a free service

Cyclamen

Cheers Sunnyone .. I will try phoning them.. just feel a bits illy asking but i guess they are used to it.

Thanks 'my username'.. i initially thought of a driving instructor but didnt want to just get behind a wheel again without talking things through.. didn't cross my mind that there might be driving schools used to all this.

I am expecting to pay.. its just a case of finding someone who knows enough about disability and driving who can answer my questiosn an dtell me if it might be possible or if it's no chance.

sunnyone

I wouldnt use a normal driving school, the regional mobility center has private roads/track to use and has specialists who understand a wide range of disabilities, they also have access to multipul vehicles and adaptions to try and find what is best for you (though you may need a follow up appointment so that they can arrange the suggested vehicle/adaptions)

I used the RAC to relearn to drive using hand controls and they were useless, they charged me a fortune for a "specialist" driving instructor who was ignorant to the issues concerning disabled drivers and I would still be unable to drive if I hadnt ditched them and bought my own car, I found a much better instructor who got me through my test in @10 lessons using my car. A driving instructor can use any carbut they must display their instrutors badge on that car.

My husband had an assessment after his stroke and his reaction times was one of my great concerns, it was so reassuring to have it in writing that they are within accepted limits. My husband needs no adaptions but he did need a bit of advice on what style of car was best for him now, they are not their to sell cars but the advice on car styles was invaluable to us and it made it much easier for him to drive comfortably.

Cyclamen

Thanks again Sunnyone.. sorry to hear about your husband but that is just the sort of info i want to get on myself.

I can tell if i'm not strong enough one day, but reaction times are not something I know how to assess.

I just stopped driving as this was only temporary an di was going to get better.. 5 years later i havent so looking into my options.

I have found a regional driving center an dwill phone them..they are quite far away though so chances are my symptoms will havekicke doff before i get there

The more i think about this the more i wonder if i'm grasping at straws .. but maybe being told by an expert 'nope you cant drive' will be enough to stop me wanting to.. then again they might say i am find to drive short distances on good days.

thanks for info

TOBRUK

Cyclamen wrote: »

Thanks Sue.. they are a bit too far for me to get too..

Thanks Sunnyone.. iread on the website that you could only get a free assesment if you were intending to use your DLA for a motability car.. have i got confused?

Hi Cyclamen,
You can get a free assessment with The mobility and Driving Assessment Service IF you are in receipt of HIGH mobility DLA, otherwise it is £80 (in Wales) for an assessment. It is a charity and has centres in a few areas. All you need to do is [FONT=&quot]contact Motability on 0300 456 4566 to request an assessment[/FONT] - you do not have to take up a motability car.

I have an assessment next week in Cardiff. It has been a while since I had an assessment but my car needs replacing and so it gives me an opportunity to drive other cars to see what I would like next - as you can't go and test drive any vehicle when you need an adaption on the car!

The assessment takes about 2 hours where they do different tests and then tell you what you need in terms of any adaptions etc. It is well worth it, they are very friendly and will answer any of your concerns. After they assess you, if you need any adaptions they will take you out to drive one of their vehicles with the adaption on the car - great.

Cyclamen

Thank you

I will give both motability and the regional center a call.

I honestly thought motability was just for hiring cars/scooters.

Spoke to my husband yesterday.. who i expected to kindly point out this is a crazy idea but he is being really supportive and has even said that if it goes ahead he would look at learning to drive, if they say it's safe for him as well.

So many options.. part of me needs to go slow .. but part is in a rush as i have 9 years no claims that reaches 5 yrs old in september and without it i am not sure i can afford insurance.

This is hopefully going to be on my 'thursday to-do list' so if i find anything out i will report back