Honesty not the best policy?

[stabberwocky]

I've recently had number of hypos, some of which I have not felt until really quite low eg low 2s However I have always been able to treat them myself without requiring third party assitance.

I was honest with my doctor about the hypoglycaemia, and he said I needed to stop driving and not to run my sugars so low. I was fine with all that. But he also said I'd need to tell the DVLA.

Now I've done some research and discovered that this will basically mean a 12 month mandatory ban. I'm happy to stop drving for a while, but not to get a 12 month licence revoke. So I thought I'd just try and improve things and see how they went before saying anything to them.

Its been a few weeks now and I've been running my sugars higher, and not had any bad hypos (below 3).

Question is, do I still have to tell the DVLA? I don't think the medical issue is still current. If it was a permanent, or long term change to my condition I would but at the moment, I don't have hypo unawareness as it has markedly improved. (Hypo unawareness defined as going below 3 without realising).

 

[ypauly]

I don't have any meaningful advice but just think it is a shame that the system is set up in such a way that we feel we can't be honest without suffing for that honesty.

I feel your pain I really do as the hoops I am currently having to jump through for DVLA would drive most people nuts, it's a good job I am already slightly bonkers. lol

 

[Atora]

Unfortunately you now have no Insurance. Speak to your GP.

 

[ypauly]

Unfortunately you now have no Insurance. Speak to your GP.

That's not true, it may only pay out for third parties should the condition be discovered but it will still be there and in place.



It would be exactly the same if they went out and got drunk, the third party cover would remain in place regardless of the condition of the driver, the insurance company would legally have to serve notice to remove that cover, it is what it exists for.

 

[margie]

I think that a Dr can contact the DVLA if they have advised someone not to drive and then discover that they are. I don't know what the GP actually said to you.

You asked whether a Dr could discover that you had not told the DVLA - well they could put 2 & 2 together - as they would expect to have a record of a request from the DVLA asking about your condition.

Not sure about the insurance - I would be concerned that they would consider this a material fact which would invalidate the policy. I don't thinks its the same as getting drunk unless that could be proved to be more than a one off occaision.

You could think about surrendering your license. If you surrender it then when you are back to normal you can reapply - not for wait whatever period of time was given with a revoke. It should not affect premiums whereas a revoke might.

I surrendered by license last year when I developed a change in hypo awareness and would do the same again.

Please remember that you are legally obliged to report a change in your health to the DVLA and could be fined if you do not do so.

 

[Atora]

You have no insurance as you are not driving to the conditions of your licence, which requires DVLA to be notified of ALL notifiable conditions.

 

[ypauly]

You have no insurance as you are not driving to the conditions of your licence, which requires DVLA to be notified of ALL notifiable conditions.

That would not nullify insurance.

 

[ypauly]

I think that a Dr can contact the DVLA if they have advised someone not to drive and then discover that they are. I don't know what the GP actually said to you.

You asked whether a Dr could discover that you had not told the DVLA - well they could put 2 & 2 together - as they would expect to have a record of a request from the DVLA asking about your condition.

Not sure about the insurance - I would be concerned that they would consider this a material fact which would invalidate the policy. I don't thinks its the same as getting drunk unless that could be proved to be more than a one off occaision.

You could think about surrendering your license. If you surrender it then when you are back to normal you can reapply - not for wait whatever period of time was given with a revoke. It should not affect premiums whereas a revoke might.

I surrendered by license last year when I developed a change in hypo awareness and would do the same again.

Please remember that you are legally obliged to report a change in your health to the DVLA and could be fined if you do not do so.

I think the doctor will be contacted by DVLA at renewal time I know mine was. And if the doctor fills in the form truthfully I think the licence is gone for a very long time.

 

[Atora]

Really? So your insurance covers you driving with no licence?

If you are told to stop driving for medical reasons, if you tell DVLA or not your licence is suspended.

If you tell DVLA they MAY revoke your licence, or they MAY put in restrictions. If you drive otherwise to the licence conditions you have NO insurance.

 

[ypauly]

Really? So your insurance covers you driving with no licence?

If you are told to stop driving for medical reasons, if you tell DVLA or not your licence is suspended.

If you tell DVLA they MAY revoke your licence, or they MAY put in restrictions. If you drive otherwise to the licence conditions you have NO insurance.

I have asked the question on a law forum I occasionally visit because I read on there previously that the third party aspect of insurance cover would remain in tact in the same way that if you are driving while drunk or on drugs or even with a dodgy MOT.

I eagerly await the response either way it's not a good idea to drive without a valid
licence.

 

[margie]

I think the doctor will be contacted by DVLA at renewal time I know mine was. And if the doctor fills in the form truthfully I think the licence is gone for a very long time.

If you speak to the DVLA -about a change in condition they send you a form which is in reality the renewal form - asking for permission to speak to your Dr.

 

[ypauly]

If you speak to the DVLA -about a change in condition they send you a form which is in reality the renewal form - asking for permission to speak to your Dr.

They didn't ask my permission, they told me I had to arrange an appointment and take certain documents with me. When I arrived in the surgery the doctor had a copy of the letter they sent me a copy of a report from the consultant and a new form to fill in.

On the letter they sent me they also said they would pay for the appointment, the first time I had ever heard this done.

 

[rossi_mac]

I really don't like lying but whenever asked about hypos I am captain vague I don't deny having hypos but say as little as possible, they seem to quiz me as if they have a box that has to be filled in saying when patients last hypo was. I would fear having licence removed, but would probably feel differently if I was having lots of lows, but would perhaps be tempted to not drive until I was better if I could, playing by the law should be done but playing safely more important so I agree telling the truth is not always the best policy but no real experience myself, as I always tell the truth😉 and that is the truth your honour.

 

[ypauly]

I have only had one reply so far to the insurance question and that was as I thought. Third party cover would remain in place although the insurance company would almost certainly try to recover costs from you.


Second reply is the exact opposit lol.


Both replys mention an insurance industry expert that uses the forum and to wait for his reply.

 

[trophywench]

I could be him.

The basis of the insurance contract (any, not just motor) is that of Uberrima fides - 'utmost good faith'.

If you do not tell insurers something which you should have told them (known in the trade as a Material Fact) or have told an untruth in order to get your cover, then the insurer is at liberty to withdraw cover ab initio - ie from inception.

At that point - assuming you have had an accident which is how all this came to light - then a body called the Motor Insurer's Bureau would step in and indemnify the Third Party's injuries, but not any damage they may suffer. They would have to sue you personally for that and they would win. And costs would be awarded against you.

IMHO - and it's only an opinion not legal advice -

You would be far better off telling the truth; letting them tell you that your licence is or is going to be withdrawn and then appeal because the appeal process takes a ittle while to happen (local magistrates court) and by then you would no longer be having disabling hypos, would you? So you will by then be able to produce the medical evidence that this was just a glitch and now it's over and done with, so I should think the magistrates would then be able to find you had a good case for your licence to be un-revoked sooner than 12 months.

 

[stabberwocky]

deleted.....

 

[stabberwocky]

If you speak to the DVLA -about a change in condition they send you a form which is in reality the renewal form - asking for permission to speak to your Dr.

Yes indeed - at which point I will speak to my GP and get him on side!

 

[trophywench]

Well if the police were reading this PUBLIC forum and were interested enough, they could quite easily find out exactly who you are, couldn't they?

 

[Darren w]

Well I'm self employed and without my licence , I have no business .. So I keep driving , I think we are the responsible drivers on the road as we carry test kits never drive if our blood is under 5 and react resposably ... I'm fighting my revoke but will not stop driving in the mean time . I have kids to feed

 

[Darren w]

What makes me laught is the dio specialist asked me on Thursday last week if I'd had a beer or two , ,,,,, I was chewing a gum ! He said I can smell alcohol as I drink ! ( doctor speaking) I was eating a chew coz I just smoked a fag ! What a prat .