Licence removed on medical grounds

AdrianC

Marvel1 said:

unforeseen said:

AdrianC said:

ashpan said:

its pretty bad that shes having to wait so long, she cant even remember her license number as she had to send it in when they revoked it so we cant even complain as they need the number - the words 'head, brick and wall' come to mind!

At 87, could this be age-related cognitive impairment of some form? Is it for the best that she's not driving?

Because she can't remember her licence number? I doubt it.
I don't remember mine because it is very rarely that I need to use it, however I remember things like bank account numbers, my old service number (even though I left the forces 16 years ago) because they are in regular use or have been used so much it gets imprinted on your mind

This, it's  not that I can't it remember it, it's more I don't know what it is in the first place to memorize it.

Am I the only person who keeps a digital photo of important docs like passport and DL with my other backed-up important data...?

Ibrahim5

I just memorize the numbers.

JohnM5206

Grumpy_chap said:

I suspect that trying to rescind the cancellation will be very difficult.  There simply in unlikely to be a process for that.

Would it be simpler now to just apply to get the licence back again, once the OP's Mum meets the medical standards for driving?
https://www.gov.uk/reapply-driving-licence-medical-condition/when-you-can-start-driving-again

It is a long time since I dealt with the paperwork which accompanied the notice of withdrawal of licences but I do recall there used to be information which advised how to appeal to, I think magistrates court, against the withdrawal of a licence. This could be totally wrong 10 years+ on, but was there something in the withdrawal notification from DVLA?

Mojisola

ashpan said:

in some ways we really don't want her to drive again but its a double edged sword - loosing her independence is having an impact on her mental health - motivation, socialising etc but driving may not be the best thing for her in terms of her age, judgement, decision making etc.

Given her age, realistically how many more years would she be fit to drive?  Whether you help her put in place ways of regaining her independence now or in the near future, it will have to be done - don't leave her stuck at home while hoping that the DVLA will reinstate her licence.

Check out local buses (not an option in many parts of the country), find the best taxi firm for older passengers, see if there are local services like Dial-a-Ride and hospital transport.

Dad used to go to an AgeUK social group which provided transport there and back - company and transport in one go.

user1977

Ibrahim5 said:

I just memorize the numbers.

For your driving licence number it's only the last 3 (or 4) characters you need to remember anyway, the rest is just made from your name and date of birth.

Disjoint

Not much help for the OP in this thread! "She must not be fit to drive if she doesn't remember her license number"?! I don't know my license number either, and just asked my wife (we are mid thirties), don't think most people know it either. My FIL in the same circumstance so I came on moneysavingexpert to get an answer.

My FIL is 76 very fit and golfs all the time - he is too honest for his own good and said on the form that he has sleep apnea which basically is when he drinks too much in the evening he wakes up gasping for air every so often. It's not a medical condition, it's just too much wine or the equivalent of me waking up with a bad headache... It happens in his sleep and has nothing to do with his driving ability. The jobsworth at the DVLA suspended his license as a result. It has absolutely destroyed him so I want to help him out.

Thank you to the user who suggested reapplying for a driving license. I'll get him on the case NOW as most of you seem to be saying DVLA now takes years. I put the link again here for everyone to see:

https://www.gov.uk/reapply-driving-licence-medical-condition/when-you-can-start-driving-again

To OP, best of luck for your mother - I know how important a car can be at that age.

unforeseen

he has sleep apnea which basically is when he drinks too much in the evening he wakes up gasping for air every so often. It's not a medical condition

Sleep apnea IS a medical condition. Alcohol may exacerbate it but it doesn't cause it.
He should see a doctor and get a referral to a sleep clinic, especially if he has a habit of falling asleep during the day. 

DVLA will suspend the licence until the sleep clinic/respiratory dept can confirm that the sleep apnea is under control and the AHI is in the normal range.
Been there, done that, got my licence back. I use  CPAP machine now and that is what is used to get the evidence that it is under control. 

Disjoint

unforeseen said:

he has sleep apnea which basically is when he drinks too much in the evening he wakes up gasping for air every so often. It's not a medical condition

Sleep apnea IS a medical condition. Alcohol may exacerbate it but it doesn't cause it.
He should see a doctor and get a referral to a sleep clinic, especially if he has a habit of falling asleep during the day. 

DVLA will suspend the licence until the sleep clinic/respiratory dept can confirm that the sleep apnea is under control and the AHI is in the normal range.
Been there, done that, got my licence back. I use  CPAP machine now and that is what is used to get the evidence that it is under control. 

Wow - thank you for the fast answer. And I thought it was just him having had too much. Sending him that info right away. (Sorry OP for hijiking the post, just didn't want to create a new one given topic so similar)

Brie

I agree with the others that maybe it is time for some to hang up their car keys and look at alternatives.

If a mobility scooter is an option it's best to get one sooner rather than later.  And it should be reasonably easy to get on with particularly if the elderly individual already knows how to drive.  We tried to get MiL to use one about 4 years back when she was already 90.  It was a complete waste of time and money.  She had no idea about accelerating or using brakes - things that are probably second nature to you or me.  She would get moving, start whizzing along, get scared and swerve off the pavement onto the road. 

Even with one of us beside her it was impossible.  In retrospect it was obvious that it wouldn't work as she had never driven a car and hadn't even been on a bicycle in about 7 decades.

ashpan

Disjoint said:

Not much help for the OP in this thread! "She must not be fit to drive if she doesn't remember her license number"?! I don't know my license number either, and just asked my wife (we are mid thirties), don't think most people know it either. My FIL in the same circumstance so I came on moneysavingexpert to get an answer.

My FIL is 76 very fit and golfs all the time - he is too honest for his own good and said on the form that he has sleep apnea which basically is when he drinks too much in the evening he wakes up gasping for air every so often. It's not a medical condition, it's just too much wine or the equivalent of me waking up with a bad headache... It happens in his sleep and has nothing to do with his driving ability. The jobsworth at the DVLA suspended his license as a result. It has absolutely destroyed him so I want to help him out.

Thank you to the user who suggested reapplying for a driving license. I'll get him on the case NOW as most of you seem to be saying DVLA now takes years. I put the link again here for everyone to see:

https://www.gov.uk/reapply-driving-licence-medical-condition/when-you-can-start-driving-again

To OP, best of luck for your mother - I know how important a car can be at that age.

thank you so much- i think were just going to re-apply, shes sent all the docs in ages ago
on another note, on the website it says you may be able to continue driving under certain circumstances one of which is if a doc says your fit to drive (which he has) but it then says you cant drive if you have had your license removed due to medical reasons......... go figure, anyways its going to be 12 months in august since she last saw the doc about her atrial fibrillation so she should be ok - having said that shes as honest as your FIL so maybe not!!!!!