My son (27) is having real problems obtaining his provisional driving licence and I'm stumped at how to help him, and as he's got Asperger's it's affecting him quite badly.
There is a back story which I'll try to surmise (without it being too outing).
He did have some problems with alcohol in his teens, before his autism diagonsis, and after an event which traumatised me and him (I had a breakdown and was diagnosed as bipolar, he began to to fail at his grammar school due to it).
After his autism diagnosis and therapy, he improved greatly, had great insight, things just 'clicked' and he has been sober for years.
Why he mentioned alcohol on his driving licence form I don't know, he wasn't dependent at the time of his application.
Anyway, they asked for information from his GP and his psychiatrist. This was arranged and was sent, all saying he was sober - no probelms, no reason he was anymore at risk than anyone else.
Then he was asked to attend to ask his GP for a blood test to check whether he'd drunk - again all fine.
Then he was asked to attend a DVLA medical centre to have a test to check whether he'd drunk in the last three months. His CPN took him to this. If he passed this he could expect to receive his licence.
He attended the medical last week. Today he heard from the DVLA who said they still can't issue a licence until they've written to his psychiatrist and got some more information.
It is now over nine months since he first applied!
I really don't think it is right they can ask this and delay further.
Firstly my son doesn't have a regular psychiatrist and it took a long time for his CPN to get the psychiatrist who knew him to write a report the first time. To do so again could be months!
Secondly they already have the report! From the psychiatrist and the GP! They had it months ago!
Thirdly they claimed their medical blood test was the last piece of evidence that they needed. He's been pushed from pillar to post. Complied with everything. Jumped through every hoop, Then they change the goal post again.
I saw the letter inviting him to the medical at the DVLA, it said they had the evidence from his professionals, but before they could process his application he needed to attend their medical centre and supply a blood and urine sample so they had all the evidence they needed to make a decision. Unless he failed the medical - but why not just say?