Page 3 | How quickly do the DVLA act on concerns about unfit drivers?

redstaff · 2026-07-24T03:20:07+00:00

I reported my MIL to the DVLA, she is not medically fit to drive. How long does the process start? I reported her 4 days ago. She was in hospital with respiratory failure on Saturday hooked up to a breathing thing but has now been discharged. She has a lot of medical conditions and is barely mobile. She slurs when she talks and is on some pretty powerful meds (Gabepentin, Epilum and high dose anti depressants plus a load more - at least 9 prescriptions id say). She does not have epilepsy, she takes the meds for migraines. She can barely get out of her chair at home nor step in her ensuite shower (because the 10cm step is too high) but she’s talking about driving again next week!! I’m just wondering how quickly the DVLA act on these things? I’m really worried that she’s going to seriously injure or kill someone? *Her neighbour also said MIL shouldn’t be driving and has reported to the DVLA as well.

CormorantWings · 24/07/2026 11:24

Weeks in my case.

VestibuleWeaver · 24/07/2026 11:22

redstaff · 24/07/2026 10:40

I’m really losing hope that the DVLA report will make a difference.

We cannot take her keys - unfortunately she lives in squalor and unsanitary conditions and likely has her keys stuffed down her pissy soaked continence pads.

I am truly relying on external help here! And just hope and pray that the DVLA or GP services intervene.

So let the tyres down. Disconnect the battery. Attach a steering wheel lock. This isn’t rocket science.

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 11:18

Aposterhasnoname · 24/07/2026 11:13

Well if you cant get hold of her keys, perhaps the tyres could go flat, all four of them.

This is probably our best bet!!

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Aposterhasnoname · 24/07/2026 11:13

Well if you cant get hold of her keys, perhaps the tyres could go flat, all four of them.

Moveoverdarlin · 24/07/2026 11:09

In my experience they take absolutely ages. We had it recently with my FIL. My DH rang the DVLA, the GP wrote to them too, but it was months before they officially revoked his license.

I remember they asked my DH to write a letter to them, we were baffled as we had numerous phone calls, you can log complaints online but due to our lack of printer, he had to hand write a long letter to the DVLA out lining his medical history - it was a faff.

redboxer321 · 24/07/2026 11:08

GreenFootstool · 24/07/2026 11:05

Took a year and three reports from two people to get my neighbour tested and flunked. She still lies that she passed but no longer drives.

Wouldn't it be a shame if MILs car keys went missing at home while she was recuperating....

That's the timescale we are headed to too. Whole system is a shambles to be honest. You can't rely on the DVLA, you have to act yourself if you can.

GreenFootstool · 24/07/2026 11:05

Took a year and three reports from two people to get my neighbour tested and flunked. She still lies that she passed but no longer drives.

Wouldn't it be a shame if MILs car keys went missing at home while she was recuperating....

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 11:05

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 24/07/2026 11:02

I think she needs social services as it doesn’t sound like she can care for herself.

I do agree with this. With her latest hospital stint I told the hospital she wasn’t safe to discharge. The hospital offered her a -

Home Assessment with OT
Care support package
Pendant thing for her falls
NIV breathing mask for sleep apnea which will help with her drowsiness
SALT team assessment
Dental referral

She declined them all.

I have contacted adult SS and environmental health. She will refuse everything.

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redboxer321 · 24/07/2026 11:04

I haven't been proactive in my case because as I said, there's no car to drive, and I suspect that the person who I reported has been very slow at sending things back which is part of the reason it's been so long but I think it takes an age whatever you do.

Also, don't think the DVLA can take your word for it. You might be doing it for the wrong reasons so they have to check with GP and then make a decision.
I think you have to do something with the car or keys.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 24/07/2026 11:02

I think she needs social services as it doesn’t sound like she can care for herself.

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 11:01

PropertyD · 24/07/2026 10:58

At 25 stone that will need a few people to help prise someone out of a car.

She clearly has been offered support and refuses. What to do what she wants to do and sod everyone else.

That’s exactly how it is. It’s a ‘sod everyone else’ attitude. Completely lacks any accountability. And whenever we say she shouldn’t be driving she flips out.

Her weight is mostly carried in her legs from the water retention (they’re huge)- she told us she weighs 25 stone. Tbh I’d maybe put her more at 20-21!stone. I saw her weigh herself at 18 stone and she has gained weight since then. This probably isn’t relevant but thought id mention it 🫠

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bilbodog · 24/07/2026 11:00

I realise it is difficult but when my DF had dementia 30 years ago we took his car keys away and then took the car away. He thought the car was in the garage initially but as it didnt come back he got used to it not being there.

can you pretend it needs to go to the garage? Maybe cause a pretend oil leak or something?

PropertyD · 24/07/2026 10:58

At 25 stone that will need a few people to help prise someone out of a car.

She clearly has been offered support and refuses. What to do what she wants to do and sod everyone else.

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 10:58

Yeah definitely taxed and insured. Last year there was a problem with the car which took 6 months to repair - huge sigh that she wasn’t driving during that time.

I may phone the DVLA -I was really hoping they’d write to her and ask for her medical history/prescription list plus a recent eye test or even see her in person because if they took one look at her they’d deduce that she isn’t fit to drive.

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PensionPTake · 24/07/2026 10:56

Fair enough but some of the things you mention are irrelevant to her ability to drive. Maybe focus on the actual reasons rather than slagging her off for being overweight or living in squalor. if she's so overweight perhaps she needs some care and support at home to manage

LividSun · 24/07/2026 10:55

Is it definitely taxed and insured? You can check online and get it clamped maybe if there's a paperwork problem.

redboxer321 · 24/07/2026 10:53

Going through this now and it's been months. Not sure how many but might be six months, maybe longer. The catalyst was a crash but similarly the car was covered in scrapes and bumps already. Car was a write off so no vehicle to drive now while we wait. DVLA has consulted GP and waiting on their decision in light of GP's info. It is long long process or has been in my case at least.

As pp have said, take the keys or battery out. Or buy a wheel clamp if need be.

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 10:53

PensionPTake · 24/07/2026 10:48

Do you actually know she's unsafe to drive as you seem to making a lot of assumptions. Has anyone asked a health professional? Do you know all her meds? She's not planning on driving until next week, if she's just come out of hospital she'll probably be a bit better by then.

Yes I know she’s unsafe 100% for a fact because she cannot even get to the toilet without shitting herself, she lives in squalor, falls 3-4 times per week. Has a long list of medical issues that affect her mobility badly. She cannot even cut her toenails. And she has ‘double vision’

She has admitted herself that she hasn’t driven for 2 weeks because she was swerving all over the road. We thought we’d had a breakthrough with this but she called last night to say she’ll be driving to Tesco next week.

i haven’t assumed this - this is straight from the horses mouth.

And have her discharge papers from Thursdays visit which lists her meds.

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PensionPTake · 24/07/2026 10:50

So the gp told you they can't do anything, but you're hoping the gp intervenes?

im sure the gp can report just like anyone else.

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 10:49

when we picked her up from the hospital on Thursday my husband had to practically drag her out of the car and lift her in her house. I asked the same question - how the hell does she get in/out her car?

She does have BIL living with her who is equally as unwell, unhealthy, selfish (he’s unemployed) - so I suspect he probably helps her in/out the car.

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PensionPTake · 24/07/2026 10:48

Do you actually know she's unsafe to drive as you seem to making a lot of assumptions. Has anyone asked a health professional? Do you know all her meds? She's not planning on driving until next week, if she's just come out of hospital she'll probably be a bit better by then.

Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 10:47

PropertyD · 24/07/2026 10:43

Clearly if the OP is telling the truth and I have no reason to doubt that she is this women is a menace on the roads. And is it really true she is 25 stone? If she cannot get out of a chair how she is going to get in and out of a car.

I do agree though that a lot of old people will listen to GP, police etc but not to their own family. For some reason they think the family are just causing problems for them

My Father was an awful driver. Would back into a post and not realise he had done it. His car was also covered in dents and scrapes but claimed not to know why they were there!

In the end my sister told him he needed to sell his car which was worth probably a few hundred! He lived in an area with good transport but he made a real nuisance of himself trying to get a better price for his car. In the end she drove it away and said she would get the best price she could (£500!)

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This sounds just like my MIL. We even asked her if we can use her car for a while because I’m pregnant and we only have one car so it’s be useful having a second car temporarily for my appointments. She rolled her eyes and said no she needs it to go to Tesco.

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Original poster

redstaff · 24/07/2026 10:45

backformoreofthesame · 24/07/2026 10:43

Surely with all that going on she must be seeing a doctor regularly? Have you passed concerns onto the surgery ?

Yeah she actually drives herself to the doctors to get her leg ulcers redressed every week.

Last time I went to the docs with her I said she shouldn’t be driving and they said there’s nothing they can do. No one will listen to us.

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backformoreofthesame · 24/07/2026 10:43

Surely with all that going on she must be seeing a doctor regularly? Have you passed concerns onto the surgery ?

PropertyD · 24/07/2026 10:43

Fifthtimelucky · 24/07/2026 09:53

There are clearly a few issues with your mother in law’s health and some of them may indeed mean that she shouldn’t be driving, but barely being able to get out of her chair and finding the step in her shower too high are completely irrelevant to her ability to drive safely! Similarly slurred speech might be a sigh of a neurological condition that means she shouldn’t drive, but might not.

Obviously if the drugs she is taking say she shouldn’t drive while taking them, then she shouldn’t. But if everyone taking anti-depressants was banned from driving that would exclude many perfectly competent drivers.

Clearly if the OP is telling the truth and I have no reason to doubt that she is this women is a menace on the roads. And is it really true she is 25 stone? If she cannot get out of a chair how she is going to get in and out of a car.

I do agree though that a lot of old people will listen to GP, police etc but not to their own family. For some reason they think the family are just causing problems for them

My Father was an awful driver. Would back into a post and not realise he had done it. His car was also covered in dents and scrapes but claimed not to know why they were there!

In the end my sister told him he needed to sell his car which was worth probably a few hundred! He lived in an area with good transport but he made a real nuisance of himself trying to get a better price for his car. In the end she drove it away and said she would get the best price she could (£500!)