DVLA said i cant drive
 

I written to dvla in decembe. I have already passed my theory, had over 50hours of lessons, and have my driving test in a few weeks time.

DVLA have written back to me saying i cant drive as my mental state is unstable and i still have psychosis. i need to send both parts of license back.

i am just pathetic, and dissapointed.

sorry :sad:

aww hun, bet that was a big kick in the teeth?! have they said how long it is for?

you aint pathetic, and cantotally understand why you are disappointed after all the hard work you put it and to come so close to doing your test.
i think your theory test remains valid for 2 yrs.

maybe speak to your dr to see how long this ban lasts and if there is anything he/she can do to help this.

*huge hugs* xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

*Hugs* There is nothing more annoying! I can't drive either. I took a a load of lessons myself, and then my driving instructor only told me at the end that he wouldn't put me through the test because of my double vision & anxiety attacks.... I had to send my licence back to the DVLA as well....

In Wales, they provide a free bus pass scheme for those who are disabled or unable to drive due to a medical condition, don't know if anything similar runs in your area but it may be worth looking into.
K x

*hugs*

This is exactly why I'm too scared to tell my doctor about the voice I'm hearing...

I'm too scared to ask for lessons for this reason. I got my provisional before official diagnoses etc but i dont think i'm allowed. Its gutting isnt it?

Sorry to hear that.

I can understand how much of a disappointment that must be for you, perhaps in the near future your symptoms will get better and you will be able to continue with your lessons. Take care.

I'm really sorry to hear that.

hey everyone thanks xx


they say i will need to be symptom free for 3 month, which i think is impossible!!!

but yeah .. im going to try to get a bus pass to help with bus faires etc xxx

First of all Ami you are far from being pathetic, it is an absolute disgrace that it has taken them 5 months to respond to your letter and you've had to pay all that money for theory tests and driving licenses!

Secondly your bound to be hugely disappointed, but be disappointed with the people who should have replied to you much sooner rather than leaving it til the last gasp to tell you this! Ok fair enough they have to make sure for your sake and others that you're safe to drive, but thats not the way to go about it!

Finally none of this is your fault as i know ur apt to blame urself, it doesen't reflect badly on you whatsoever, a medical condition has caused this and is no more your fault than it would be if say a vision problem was stopping you from driving!

Am glad that you're looking into the bus pass option though i think that that is very wise!

Take Care for now,

Craig

I think if you go on your local council website there should be something there about free bus passes, sorry to hear whats happened.

I hadn't realised that being mentally ill would affect my elegibilty to learn to drive. Its probably just as well i'm skint and can't afford it right now. Is that 3 months symptom free whilst on meds or without meds?

it says you need to be complient with meds, but some meds make me drowsy.

the meds im on now are okay, not as much sedation as others!

Thanks for everyones replies, im going to look on my councils website xx

I contacted the DVLA when I was first thinking of learning to drive. They said I would have to apply for a provisional and in that process list my meds et al.. they said if I was not able to drive they would refund the money (so worth bearing that in mind). They also stated quite clearly that drowsiness at al could cause exemption from ability to drive, and that any medical condition needs to have been stablilised for at least 3 months (with letter from dr et al to prove that) before you would be able to drive.

I am not able to drive, as I have a complex list of medicine and disabilities (not all mh related).

It is annoying though - especially if you have already put in time, effort and money. I was lucky in a way, as I checked first and decided not to take it any further as I felt I would not be able to.

I know it sucks, but remember that the lessons you have had will not be in vain. You will still pretty much know how to frive when you can get back to it, and only need a couple of lessons to get back up to test standard. I know how it feels though, I always have to give up driving when my depression gets bad because I lose all concentration and I'd be dangerous otherwise, so as yet I'm still to pass my test as I havne't been well enough for long enough to do it. But you and I will both get there. :)

Thanks,, im writing a letter to them to see if they will reconsider but in the mean time im going to get a consessionary bus pass xxx

Fine, as my post was deleted, I'll just say a bus pass is better than death by dangerous driving.

Are the two main points of my concern. IMHO driving with a psychosis is exactly the same as driving when drunk. You shouldn't do either.

i know, i understand their concern, it was just i had worked hard and paid lots of money. i was just dissapointed x

i know how u feel,took me nearly 2 years to pass my theroy and practical, passed last jan but in april they told me i cudnt drive because of my regular OD'ing and alcohol misuse...i was totally gutted,still am,its awful coz i lost my freedom and travel to and from work!!

driving whilst drunk is not good...i no tht from experience...but i dnt suffer from psychosis so dnt no wot its like!!

*hugs*

I know how annoying it is. I was driving for a few months and for many reasons got very dependent on driving. I then developed epilepsy, lost my licesne, didn't get a refund for 5 months of insurance, lost a lot of money from my car and basically things were really bad. I have to be a yr free of seizures before my license is renewed. I am now waiting for it to come back so I can drive again. It is annoying. I was really upset for weeks and then again when I had a fit out of the blue 7 months later but it is for the safety of both you and everyone else so I would stick with it even though it is horrible.

And yeh, you definately qualify for a free bus pass. If you go to your local social service department of your council they will give you a form. Then this may need to be signed by the doctor or the doctor may need to write a letter depending where you go to and then take this to your local transport place and they should sort it out for you. They are now valid across the whole of the UK on buses.