So so annoyed and need advice.

[James130185]

So let me start off by saying that i am a Type 1 diabetic and have been for the last 5 years or so, I'm also a bus driver, or WAS a bus driver.

Recently i had a medical with my GP, where the doctor asked for my blood meter and started saying he couldn't see relevance to testing, I told him that i had had a lot of time off recently through one thing or another and so that there would be a lot of occasions where there wouldn't be as many records on my meter because of that, just for the record my time off has been due to holidays, general days off in particular and also the recent passing of my mother in the last couple of months.

I received a letter from the DVLA stating that not only were they taking my group 2 license but also my car license because the doctor had ticked a box saying that I full stop don't test to driving when in truth this is completely false, I have lost a lot recently, so to lose my car and bus license as well as my job so close after losing my mother has caused a lot of damage to not only me but my family too.

When i was first diagnosed and placed onto insulin, they took my bus license from me because i couldn't provide 3 months worth of readings, which i understood because i had only just been diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic, but importantly i kept my car license, this was at a time when i was very ill and the consultant saying i was a very short time away from being admitted to hospital, my bloods were all over the place, simply because i wasn't getting the insulin that i needed.

My question is this, how am i meant to get a license back that they can no longer assess my relevance to driving on when i am not driving anything?

I also need to add that the diabetes specialist is more than happy with my readings and where i am now, yet this GP, rather than asking for work records as proof of what i was saying was true with time off etc, wrote me off straight away?

I am sure i am not the first or the last person that this has happened to but i am at a loss of what to do and need any advice i can get.

 

[Leadinglights]

So let me start off by saying that i am a Type 1 diabetic and have been for the last 5 years or so, I'm also a bus driver, or WAS a bus driver.

Recently i had a medical with my GP, where the doctor asked for my blood meter and started saying he couldn't see relevance to testing, I told him that i had had a lot of time off recently through one thing or another and so that there would be a lot of occasions where there wouldn't be as many records on my meter because of that, just for the record my time off has been due to holidays, general days off in particular and also the recent passing of my mother in the last couple of months.

I received a letter from the DVLA stating that not only were they taking my group 2 license but also my car license because the doctor had ticked a box saying that I full stop don't test to driving when in truth this is completely false, I have lost a lot recently, so to lose my car and bus license as well as my job so close after losing my mother has caused a lot of damage to not only me but my family too.

When i was first diagnosed and placed onto insulin, they took my bus license from me because i couldn't provide 3 months worth of readings, which i understood because i had only just been diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic, but importantly i kept my car license, this was at a time when i was very ill and the consultant saying i was a very short time away from being admitted to hospital, my bloods were all over the place, simply because i wasn't getting the insulin that i needed.

My question is this, how am i meant to get a license back that they can no longer assess my relevance to driving on when i am not driving anything?

I also need to add that the diabetes specialist is more than happy with my readings and where i am now, yet this GP, rather than asking for work records as proof of what i was saying was true with time off etc, wrote me off straight away?

I am sure i am not the first or the last person that this has happened to but i am at a loss of what to do and need any advice i can get.

Just a suggestion but it might be worth phoning the Diabetes UK help line as I recall somebody saying they had helped with driving licence issues.

 

[James130185]

Just a suggestion but it might be worth phoning the Diabetes UK help line as I recall somebody saying they had helped with driving licence issues.

I'm willing to take any advice or put in the right direction that people can place me, because the damage that has been done from this is way more than simply losing a license.

 

[Windy]

Are you in a union at work? If so, have a word with your rep and see if they can ask your job to make "reasonable adjustments" to keep you employed. It would mean the union and the employers making a plan to put you in a different job until you can get your licence sorted. As a diabetic, you're covered by equality legislation, and your employer shouldn't lay you off because you can't legally drive at the moment, they're meant to find you office duties (or whatever is appropriate). Citizens advice may also be able to offer advice about your job.

I second Leadinglights suggestion about phoning the Diabetes UK helpline.

It sounds to me like your GP has dropped the ball badly on this. Can you escalate to your consultant and get them to contact the DVLA?
It'd help if you get your work records of when you were and weren't driving, ie when you were on holiday, on leave etc.
I'm sorry for the hassle you're going through, I hope you get it sorted soon, Sarah

 

[SB2015]

Whatever happens it would be useful for you to have records of you testing before every meal, which I guess you do anyway in order to calculate your bolus dose each time. iwouod also recommend phoning the Diabetes UK helpline as they have an advocacy team.

Can you match your BG records with your work schedules ? If you are using a Libre sensor and have given your hospital team access to these they will also have the evidence. Great if you have your records form the time around this driving issue.

I know that sensor readings are now accepted for driving a car, as well as Bg results from a meter. I am not sure about the rules for driving buses. We’re you told that you need not still do Bg readings before you drive each time?

I hope that you can sort this out.

 

[James130185]

So as regards employment, I have had to accept a job within the workplace that will keep me going temporarily, but it is a big drop in wages, and also one that means i will practically never see my family.

I simply can not understand how when i was seriously ill back in 2018 they let me keep the car license at the very least, yet when i am in control of it now they take both away from me? I have never had a hypo requiring assistance, my hba1c is all good, I have 3 months worth of readings and relevant to driving, but this GP seemed very much hung up on when i didn't have readings relevant to my hours of work a day, and was picking random days out and expecting me to know whether i was working or not, never ever have i been asked for work patterns.

Again my other worry now that i am unable to drive anything is how am i meant to get my license back to at least drive a car when i can't test relevant to driving when i no longer drive? Will they just assess me on my medical history and whether my current readings are acceptable or not?

 

[Docb]

You could e-mail your MP with the details of your case and ask them to intervene. The more pressure you put on the system the more likely you are to get some action.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

You need to go back and talk to the GP and ask for an explanation in writing as to why he wrote what he did. He either ticked the box in error which does happen or he has made a false declaration.

Not sure but I think holding a bus licence you have to test twice a day even when not driving on that day.

Copy the DVLA in the letter you have written and forward the reply from your GP to the DVLA as well.

 

[James130185]

So i have spoken again to the DVLA this morning who have said that if i simply want to get my car license back then it's a case of D1 form and a VDIAB1 form and getting a supporting document from the GP to say that i am safe to drive as there's not many other ways around it.

What she didn't say looking at the D1 form is that am i having to apply for a provisional license again with it been revoked? As it doesn't show as applying for a full license again on there unless i am not reading it properly?

I am so frustrated at how your life can change so much and for the worst over a condition that i am fully in control of but that seems not to matter at all to the doctors, I can only imagine what this would do to someone that may be potentially mentally unstable.

 

[Ian68]

So i have spoken again to the DVLA this morning who have said that if i simply want to get my car license back then it's a case of D1 form and a VDIAB1 form and getting a supporting document from the GP to say that i am safe to drive as there's not many other ways around it.

What she didn't say looking at the D1 form is that am i having to apply for a provisional license again with it been revoked? As it doesn't show as applying for a full license again on there unless i am not reading it properly?

I am so frustrated at how your life can change so much and for the worst over a condition that i am fully in control of but that seems not to matter at all to the doctors, I can only imagine what this would do to someone that may be potentially mentally unstable.

At the bottom of section 3 is the Renew section, I presume you just tick the medical conditon box

 

[James130185]

At the bottom of section 3 is the Renew section, I presume you just tick the medical conditon box

Hmm yes, that could be right, I know how the DVLA are very critical on things and don't want to get it wrong.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Fingers crossed you can get it sorted @James130185

And that things don’t get snarled up in DVLA delays.

At the very least a face-to-face with the GP with copies of evidence that you were not working / driving on those days might help and put your mind at rest. And yes - do ask the helpline about getting support from the advocacy team.

Though I think as Sue says, for commercial categories the records are meant to be continuous, even on days when not driving?

 

[James130185]

Fingers crossed you can get it sorted @James130185

And that things don’t get snarled up in DVLA delays.

At the very least a face-to-face with the GP with copies of evidence that you were not working / driving on those days might help and put your mind at rest. And yes - do ask the helpline about getting support from the advocacy team.

Though I think as Sue says, for commercial categories the records are meant to be continuous, even on days when not driving?

Rules stipulate to test no more than 2 hours before driving, and every 2 hours whilst driving, and a minimum of twice a day on none driving days, which even on none driving days i will usually have around 4 tests on my meter, never ever have i been asked for work records, and to be wrote off as simple as that has cost me a lot, not only financially, but mentally, and at a cost to my family too.

 

[rebrascora]

and to be wrote off as simple as that has cost me a lot, not only financially, but mentally, and at a cost to my family too.

And no doubt at some cost to your company too having to find a new driver and a role for you within the organization until it can be sorted out. This decision has created considerable disruption for many people and really needs to be challenged.

I can totally understand your frustration and really it should be a consultant who makes such decisions rather than a GP who has such a limited understanding of Type 1 diabetes management. I hope you are able to get the matter sorted promptly, but I fear it will take some time. Please keep us updated with your (hopefully) progress.

 

[James130185]

And no doubt at some cost to your company too having to find a new driver and a role for you within the organization until it can be sorted out. This decision has created considerable disruption for many people and really needs to be challenged.

I can totally understand your frustration and really it should be a consultant who makes such decisions rather than a GP who has such a limited understanding of Type 1 diabetes management. I hope you are able to get the matter sorted promptly, but I fear it will take some time. Please keep us updated with your (hopefully) progress.

This is the thing, I have ALWAYS seen a consultant after the GP, the GP has usually just given a once over on me and that's about it, but i never once had my blood pressure took, a simple check of my eyes reading a chart on the wall, or any other check for that matter, and this was supposed to be a medical that the DVLA was paying for, he never told me to stop driving because the readings were there and all within range, even my diabetes centre that i go to are happy with me, but because he was so hung up on specific days and not as many readings compared to working days he wouldn't sign his name to it, and to have my car license taken away as well is a real kick in the teeth, especially when in 2018 as a newly diagnosed patient, they took the bus license away which is understood considering i couldn't provide readings on a meter for something i was only just diagnosed for, but they were quite happy for me to keep my car license even though at the time i was very ill??

The entire system needs a overhaul.