Autism and driving - new dvla rules

[ineedaknittedhat]

www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/03/autistic-people-angry-at-having-to-disclose-diagnosis-to-dvla-even-if-driving-not-affected

The rules used to say that you had to inform them if your driving was affected, now you have to disclose it regardless.

You have to seek permission from your GP or specialist (hollow laugh) in order to continue driving, and complete a form sent to you by the dvla.

They class asd as a mental health condition (it's not).

Aspergers is included in this classification.

Just thought fellow autistics should be aware as you get fined £1000 for not informing them.

Sorry, can I just ask a question even though it’s adhd not asd? The psychiatrist who just diagnosed me said I did have to declare even though it did not affect my driving - but according to website this now means I don’t have to declare it? So confused but NEED to drive!

Screenshots, just in case

And ADHD

Haven't broken the news to my DS (22) yet - he passed his test at 17. He's at Uni and doesn't actually have the car with him so not driving at the moment. Hope this is all clarified and sorted before he comes home at Easter. He was diagnosed at 6. Re-assessed at 11 (don't ask) but has rarely seen his GP for anything - and certainly not anything to do with his ASD. In fact his current GP has probably never even seen him as he changed GP's when he went to Uni - so how they would be able to say whether or not he was fit to drive is beyond me. Just another waste of time for already over stretched GP's.

Muddied the waters? Muddied the fucking waters?

What sort of response/apology is that?

@bigbluebus see my post above yours. They've backtracked

Hawkeye - I know right, nothing like using a random idiom to clarify things with aspies. Dickheads.

@IWantMyHatBack. Thank you - I saw the ADHD bit but not the ASD> Lets hope they don't change their minds again! So glad I didn't contact DS last night when I saw the Guardian article on my Google newsfeed.

I had this discussion with my autistic friend today. The DVLA site has the original text.
I haven't yet heard of any explanation or apologies being issued.
That's a whole load of people unnecessarily distressed, having been unfairly stigmatised, rallying to lobby and now - silence

Hanumantelpiece

Thanks Hat, I was just coming back to update. The NAS had posted an article where 'someone' at the DVLA was telling people they had to fill in forms now, because they were autistic. Although the statement/advice has been amended (or put back to its original form), it really doesn't excuse what has happened

It really really doesnt

They heard Jess Philips was on the case.

I have dyspraxia which can be mistaken for autism, does this include ms? So confusing

Weasley twins-

www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

No, dyspraxia is not on the list of reportable conditions.

Okies thank you

What do I do about the form that's coming? I feel as though I've 'handed myself in' so to speak.

If the DVLA know anything, you still have to complete it. That's where I am too, the system will automatically revoke your licence otherwise, apparently.

So I still have to go through this charade?

Ffs

Okay, I'm confused now! Do I have to report my diagnoses regardless of the fact they don't affect my driving? Is it compulsory? Is this an insurance problem?

Yes, what about insurance?

You only need to report if it affects your driving.

Also - twitter.com/AnnMemmott/status/1102875579383201792?s=19

Hold off doing anything for a few days though, and hopefully this mess will be sorted out and you won't have to do anything.

It's too late for me, I phoned yesterday and a form is in the post, so I don't know whether I have to complete it. You have 14 days to complete it otherwise they suspend your license.

I wish these sodding people knew how much they've fucked up.

Oh shit 😞

Fourteen days from telling the DVLA? So no deadline if you haven't? I knew about the ADD and ASD being declarable but I did not feel they affected my driving.::frets::