Notifying DVLA of blackout

helpful_hound

Last month I had an unexplained momentary blackout while at work. I didn’t collapse or faint, and it wasn’t associated with any seizure or convulsions. I did what I believed to be the sensible thing and spoke to my doctor who did some basic checks and a ECG which all seemed OK but he referred me to Neurology for further checks.

The neurologist arranged an MRI scan as presently it appears to be an unexplained blackout. However she did say that I must inform DVLA and that it would be DVLA’s decision if I would loose my license and long it would be removed for.

On reading up on DVLA’s website they seem to indicate that I should notify them if I have been told that I cannot drive by my doctor. It also says that a better process may be to surrender my licence voluntarily, which may make it easier to reapply “when told you are safe to drive”. What is unclear to me is if I surrender my licence at what point can I reapply, seeing that I haven’t actually been told that I can’t drive (even though I understand that there is bound to be a period of time I am disqualified from driving due my my blackout). Will surrendering my licence make it less costly for future car insurance rather than if my licence was revoked by DVLA? And if I surrender my licence voluntarily at what point do I reapply?

Thanks for any guidance on this!

Car_54

You can re-apply as soon as your doctor says so.

helpful_hound

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987404#Comment_81987404

Thanks, but the problem is my doctor hasn’t said I can’t, she (consultant neurologist) said DVLA will decide and for how long.

So if I voluntarily surrendered my licence instead at what point do I go to my doctor and ask them if I can drive again?

itsthelittlethings

Notify DVLA ASAP (before driving again) and ask if you can drive.

helpful_hound

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987481#Comment_81987481

On DVLA website it says that if I voluntarily surrender my licence instead it will be easier to reapply (and searching online indicates it will also affect my insurance renewals less). Is that not a better option?

MattMattMattUK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987532#Comment_81987532

If you voluntarily surrender, then reapply when safe to drive, you can drive under Section 88 whilst the DVLA consider your application. If they revoke your license then you have to wait for the full application to go through again, current wait time for that is anywhere from 8 to 14 weeks, although it can take longer (many months, even longer than a year) if they need to review complex medical information or contact doctors and/or consultants for verification.

If I were you I would surrender fairly quickly, not drive (because I would not want to drive whilst at risk of blacking out) and push to get the investigations concluded as quickly as possible.

helpful_hound

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987570#Comment_81987570

Thanks @MattMattMattUK that’s exactly what I was thinking, however what isn’t clear is how long do I need to leave it before re-applying to get my licence? If, for example, if the MRI scan comes back clear and the consultant deems there is identifiable cause to the blackout at how long do I leave it before re-applying to get my licence? Seeing that I haven’t been officially told I cannot drive and if I voluntarily surrender my licence there seems no clear information on who can tell me at what point I can reapply to start driving again?

helpful_hound

For the record I am not driving any more, I completely agree that it would be reckless to drive until these investigations are concluded. My query really is specifically how to go through the process of surrendering my licence instead of having it revoked, and how (or more specifically when) I can subsequently reapply.

MattMattMattUK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987605#Comment_81987605

If the consultant says no identifiable cause, you ask them if was a likely one off transient effect and if they would deem you safe to drive. They will either say yes, no and refer you for further investigation, or suggest a recommended wait period (probably 3/6 months). The DVLA recommends six months without recurrence if no cause is found, if a cause is found and treated four weeks from the treatment being effective (so may exclude the titration phase). Equally they may attribute it to other factors (lack of sleep, dehydration etc.) in which case you might be cleared to drive straight away.

Was it a simple feint (syncope), e.g. you were standing and felt light headed, then blacked out, you stood up to quickly and blacked out, or something different?

helpful_hound

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987631#Comment_81987631

I was sitting at work (office job), and somehow seemed to loose consciousness of what happened for a few moments. I ‘regained consciousness’ scrolling through my phone, still sitting in the same position but had no recollection of what I was looking at on my phone, or even taking my phone out of my pocket. I couldn't remember what notes I had been typing on my computer until a few minutes later. There was no advance warning and no one seen what happened. I couldn’t be definite how long it lasted for but I would guess only a moment or perhaps even just a few seconds.

itsthelittlethings

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987532#Comment_81987532

If you notify the DVLA and ask what to do i think they will give you the option to surrender your licence. I am not sure. I would ring them rather than asking here.