Driving license

[CoventryTrev]

I will be on insulin from next Friday. I know I have to let DVLA know but does anyone know if I will be able to drive while they process my medical licence? How long does it normally take DVLA to process the change?

 

[Robin]

I will be on insulin from next Friday. I know I have to let DVLA know but does anyone know if I will be able to drive while they process my medical licence? How long does it normally take DVLA to process the change?

You can carry on driving a car or motorbike while they process the application. (provided a doctor hasn’t told you to stop).
If you drive a lorry, bus etc, you must stop driving, and tell them.

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting

www.gov.uk

 

[CoventryTrev]

You can carry on driving a car or motorbike while they process the application. (provided a doctor hasn’t told you to stop).
If you drive a lorry, bus etc, you must stop driving, and tell them.

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting

www.gov.uk

Thank you Robin

 

[helli]

You can carry on driving a car or motorbike while they process the application. (provided a doctor hasn’t told you to stop).

The law has changed.
You can continue to drive IF a doctor HAS told you you CAN drive.
The absence of a denial is not an eligibility to drive.

 

[Robin]

The law has changed.
You can continue to drive IF a doctor HAS told you you CAN drive.
The absence of a denial is not an eligibility to drive.

I've missed that, where is it published? The current guidelines leaflet doesn’t seem to have been updated, it still puts the onus on the applicant to decide, consulting their doctor if necessary.
I have a new medical condition that I have
told the DVLA about on my recent application. Can I drive?
As soon as the DVLA receives your correct and complete application for a new licence and as
long as you meet all the Section 88 criteria, you may drive. It is important that you are satisfied that the medical condition you have declared on your application does not stop you from driving.
If you are unsure, check with your doctor or healthcare professional before you make a decision. You can also look up your condition in the ‘Assessing fitness to drive’ guide, which you can find at www.gov.uk/dvla/fitnesstodrive
to see whether you meet the medical standards
for driving. As this guide is intended for healthcare professionals, it can be complicated. Your doctor
or healthcare professional should be able to help you if necessary.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1072051/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I've missed that, where is it published? The current guidelines leaflet doesn’t seem to have been updated, it still puts the onus on the applicant to decide, consulting their doctor if necessary.

People can drive under rule 88 as long as GP or consultant has said it is ok to do so. Obviously if they say no it's noted on your medical records as is an approval so if a no given then do not drive.
I had to contact my GP regarding my license as it ran out December last year, it took the DVLA 7 mths to renew it.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I will be on insulin from next Friday. I know I have to let DVLA know but does anyone know if I will be able to drive while they process my medical licence? How long does it normally take DVLA to process the change?

You should be able to do the application on line so will get a new licence within a couple of weeks. Just be very careful how you fill in the forms regarding hypos as some people become confused by the questions.

 

[abdnlad]

I have been waiting since last November 21. I have contacted the complaints medical department, my local MP. The problem is DVLA are saying they are waiting to here back from my G.P, and my G.P has never had any correspondence with them. I did get letter back Feb22 saying my licence will be two to three weeks.
If anybody can help please advise

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I have been waiting since last November 21. I have contacted the complaints medical department, my local MP. The problem is DVLA are saying they are waiting to here back from my G.P, and my G.P has never had any correspondence with them. I did get letter back Feb22 saying my licence will be two to three weeks.
If anybody can help please advise

This is the email address I had ,ComplaintsTeam@dvla.gov.uk try them it takes them weeks to reply and if no licence or reply just send them another email as a gentle reminder.

Have you checked on line to see if your licence has been issued and the plastic copy is not lost in the post?

 

[spiritfree]

I will be on insulin from next Friday. I know I have to let DVLA know but does anyone know if I will be able to drive while they process my medical licence? How long does it normally take DVLA to process the change?

I have been waiting for my driving licence to be renewed, as it is a 3 year licence. I sent it off at beginning of November 2021 and still haven't got it back, seven months waiting. I phoned them and they just said it was being prossed. The DVLA told me that you coud still drive, if your doctor says you are fit to drive. The DVLA said if Dr approves you can drive under section 88 of the road traffic act 1988. Hope this helps you.

 

[abdnlad]

Thank everyone for your help I will make an appointment A.S.A.P, why the DVLA just could not have told me this in the first place

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Thank everyone for your help I will make an appointment A.S.A.P, why the DVLA just could not have told me this in the first place

If you mean the rule 88 then the info is on your renewal form 🙂 I just rang GP and asked for approval, which was granted and note added to medical records.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I've missed that, where is it published? The current guidelines leaflet doesn’t seem to have been updated, it still puts the onus on the applicant to decide, consulting their doctor if necessary.
I have a new medical condition that I have
told the DVLA about on my recent application. Can I drive?
As soon as the DVLA receives your correct and complete application for a new licence and as
long as you meet all the Section 88 criteria, you may drive. It is important that you are satisfied that the medical condition you have declared on your application does not stop you from driving.
If you are unsure, check with your doctor or healthcare professional before you make a decision. You can also look up your condition in the ‘Assessing fitness to drive’ guide, which you can find at www.gov.uk/dvla/fitnesstodrive
to see whether you meet the medical standards
for driving. As this guide is intended for healthcare professionals, it can be complicated. Your doctor
or healthcare professional should be able to help you if necessary.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1072051/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

I am not sure it was a legal change, but I know that the Information Team at Diabetes UK have pressed the DVLA for clarification given the backlog and current length of delays that have been experienced by many forum members.

Full details are set out below but a key piece of information was that a doctor must have confirmed that the individual is fit to drive. So, active confirmation is needed – it is not sufficient that a doctor/optician etc. has not said you cannot drive or has remained silent on this issue.

The DVLA have confirmed, via email, that:

where the driver has submitted a licence renewal application but a new licence has not been issued by the renewal date, the driver can in certain circumstances continue to drive by virtue of the provisions of Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla

To do this the driver must satisfy themselves that they meet the following criteria:

· A doctor or optician has not advised you not to drive

· If you have an existing medical condition your doctor must have told you that you are fit to drive. If your doctor is unsure about how a medical condition affects driving, they should refer to ‘Assessing fitness to drive – a guide for medical professionals’ at www.gov.uk/dvla/fitnesstodrive

· You have held a valid driving licence and only drive vehicles you have applied for on your current application and were entitled to drive on your previous licence.

· If you hold a Group 2 (bus or lorry) licence, your entitlement has not been suspended, revoked or refused by a traffic commissioner.

· You meet any conditions that were specified on your previous licence that still apply.

· DVLA has received your correct and complete application within the last 12 months.

· Your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons.

· You are not currently disqualified from driving by a court.

· You were not disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013 (a high risk offender is a driver convicted of a serious drink driving offence).

 

[Robin]

I am not sure it was a legal change, but I know that the Information Team at Diabetes UK have pressed the DVLA for clarification given the backlog and current length of delays that have been experienced by many forum members.

Full details are set out below but a key piece of information was that a doctor must have confirmed that the individual is fit to drive. So, active confirmation is needed – it is not sufficient that a doctor/optician etc. has not said you cannot drive or has remained silent on this issue.

The DVLA have confirmed, via email, that:

where the driver has submitted a licence renewal application but a new licence has not been issued by the renewal date, the driver can in certain circumstances continue to drive by virtue of the provisions of Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla

To do this the driver must satisfy themselves that they meet the following criteria:

· A doctor or optician has not advised you not to drive

· If you have an existing medical condition your doctor must have told you that you are fit to drive. If your doctor is unsure about how a medical condition affects driving, they should refer to ‘Assessing fitness to drive – a guide for medical professionals’ at www.gov.uk/dvla/fitnesstodrive

· You have held a valid driving licence and only drive vehicles you have applied for on your current application and were entitled to drive on your previous licence.

· If you hold a Group 2 (bus or lorry) licence, your entitlement has not been suspended, revoked or refused by a traffic commissioner.

· You meet any conditions that were specified on your previous licence that still apply.

· DVLA has received your correct and complete application within the last 12 months.

· Your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons.

· You are not currently disqualified from driving by a court.

· You were not disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013 (a high risk offender is a driver convicted of a serious drink driving offence).

Ah, thank you for the clarification, It seems that the DVLA have reinterpreted the existing rules, rather than there being a change in the wording of the current advice. As usual with the DVLA, everything is as clear as mud!

 

[abdnlad]

Ahh,
My licence was revoked because I was on to high a medication and my blood sugar was dropping low if I sometimes missed my breakfast. But that was in November, my medication was lowered by diabetic specialist in hospital, I had my bloods checked since lowering and between 6 to 10 peek. But what annoys me is since November the DVLA have not even checked with my G.P or my diabetic nurse, so where is there proof to revoke my licence?

 

[trophywench]

@abdnlad - you say they revoked your licence last November and say why they did that - who notified them you were all over the place, or did you either have an accident or get stopped by the police?. When did you advise them things have changed for the better and provided all the medical evidence of that you have, to them?

 

[abdnlad]

Yes I was stopped by police but no drink or drugs were found so let me go on ambulance to hospital this is where I saw the specialists. But now medical evidence was given on on the police say so.
I have complained how they come to this evidence but still they have never contacted my G.P for how my medication was causing my low blood sugar and now its changed

 

[abdnlad]

One more thing, I have never been told I should not drive by my G.P or nurse. I think maybe the problem is I did not tell DVLA about my diabetes, (I know I hear you all) but I am newly diagnosed and usually very well controlled if I had breakfast.

 

[Robin]

One more thing, I have never been told I should not drive by my G.P or nurse. I think maybe the problem is I did not tell DVLA about my diabetes, (I know I hear you all) but I am newly diagnosed and usually very well controlled if I had breakfast.

Were you on insulin? You only have a duty to tell the DVLA as a matter of course if you are on insulin. If you weren’t on insulin, then you have to tell them if you do suffer from hypoglycaemic episodes, so if you’d had them before if you’d skipped breakfast, then yes, you should have told them. But if this was the first one, I don’t see how you could know you were going to have one.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795538/inf188x2-information-for-drivers-with-diabetes-treated-by-non-insulin.pdf

 

[abdnlad]

I was on 2x Janumet 1G + 50mg at the time but reduced to 1 x Janumet 1G +50mg combined tablets , I have 1 more episode before 3 years ago before diagnosed, I had rice meal for my dinner and no breakfast, I was buzzing around getting ready to go on holiday, once at airport they would not let me on aircraft until I had been checked over, the hospital checked my bloods and very low blood sugar, nothing would raise it until I ate a sandwich and then I was fine. It was my first time ever checking my blood. I did not link the two together until last November