I went to see the psychiatrist yesterday and she reviewed my meds and asked about my driving.
She asked me to inform DVLA about my diagnosis and that I am on two anti-psychotics. I rang DVLA this morning and they are sending a medical form in the post to me.
My question is has anybody else here had to inform DVLA and what happened to you with the form and the outcome, I am so scared because my car is my life and I need it to get around because I cant use public transport for the fear of people
I have 'statemented' or something like that so that I can't drive, I am issued a freedom pass (free public transport in london) which is now for people over a certain age (I think 65) and for those who have been either refused their liscense for medical reasons or been told by a doctor this would happen. I hear you say that you can't use public transport, so I realise the freedom pass thing won't help, but if you got DLA, the higher rate for mobility, which you could apply for with this new information if you don't have already, it entitles you to something called erm, taxicard I think, where you just pay £2 for a taxi anywhere. If your antipsychotics makes you tired they may not want you to drive, or if you are a risk on the road (for instance risk to your own safety or hallucinating/dissociating) they would probably not want you driving, but being on medication/diagnosed with a mental illness won't necessarily mean you can't drive.
I do sometimes get upset as is it a world where everyone seems to be able to drive and it sometimes sucks that I can't for the foreseeable future. So if you want to talk, I'm here.
I had to inform the DVLA about my illness and my medications so I can get my provisional. Its been ages and I still don't have it, or have the desicion if I will have it or not! I hate using public transport too, so I know how you feel.
Take a look here and scroll down to the psychiatric disorders section.
They will of course look at your case on an individual basis, but because you are on antipsychotics they will probably recommend you dont drive until you are off of the medication and more stable.
Quote:
Psychotic disorders- Driving must cease pending the outcome of medical enquiry. It is normally a requirement that the person should be well and stable for 3 years (i.e. to have experienced a good level of functional recovery with insight into their illness and to be fully adherent to the agreed treatment plan, including engagement with the medical services) before driving can be resumed.
Quote:
Anti-psychotic drugs, including the depot preparations, can cause motor or extrapyramidal effects as well as sedation or poor concentration, which may, either alone or in combination, be sufficient to impair driving. Careful clinical assessment is required.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I had to fill in a medical form for my diabetes and I also had to state that I was taking ADs. It took forever to get my provisional, and I have to renew my licence every 3 years. I don't think it should be a problem if you are honest with them. I changed my meds at the start of this week, and so now I'm taking anti-psychotics, I called them, and they said that if, after a period of 12 weeks my psych thinks I'm stable and I am not experiencing any adverse effects then I can return to (learner) driving.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Make us all feel wonderful. We'll never forget."
when i was discharged from hospital my doctor told me that i could not drive for three months + as i had been on a section 3. I informed dvla and they said that this wasn't the case. had to fill in forms and case will be reviewed individually. In the meantime as long as my dr said i was medically fit then i was allowed to continue driving. hope this helps and you get things sorted.
I got mine revoked. I was told I had to inform them because I have bipolar disorder. I've never been psychotic but I am on anti-psychotics to help with sleep and anxiety. I was gutted. It said if I am stable for 3 months, I can have it back but I haven't been 'unstable' for ages! I don't drive but I was upset because I felt there was no need and there were being over-cautious.
If I had my licence revoked it would give me a free bus pass. I might actually write to them. I've only got a provisional and I havent had lessons for a year, but I could really do with a bus pass as that's my mode of transport these days.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
i have medical reviews from the dvla,the first time i got my driving licence i got it for a limited period of 3 years,now its reviewed yearly(ive just sent the medical forms off again),
basically on the forms,all you do istick you have mh problems,list your meds,write down any admissions,which people you see,ie gp,cpn,psych,and list their contact details.....um....give them your diagnosis-if you have one.
then send it all off.
it does take a LONG time to get back to you,they write to everyone,then they have to wait for a reply.....then the dvla dr looks at all the information,and decides from there what will happen.you might get a reduced period licence-like i have,or keep the one you have.
BUT you have to be prapared for the fact that your licence could be revoked.it sucks,a lot.mine was revoked 06-07,and it was a nightmare....
but theyre only looking at yours and others interests.if it does get revoked,you can re-apply,its not a life time revoke....
control freak-are you thinking about the now card,because you can still ahve a licence and get a free bus pass,as long as someone writes a upporting letter saying you arent always fit to drive,so could have a licence revoked,you can get a free pass....
