HELP DVLA threatening to revoke license.

[itsgettingweird]

Ok, hear me out.

Ds has a physical disability. He could learn to drive at 16 due to enhanced mobility.

However.... due to said disability---- it took them 18 months and 3 complaints before we even got his provisional licence.

It stated he could drive any type of car with any adaptations as required.

Ds learned in automatic because he struggles with his left foot (although medical stated he could drive using it safely) and because automatics can be adapted with hand paddles should he require them.

Got his full license through. This didn't have code for adaptions.

Due to the timescales it's taken to actually get the license he doesn't have enough time left on his pip to get a motability car so is waiting for renewal.

So we rang DVLA to ask if he could get an adapted car without the code or if he needed this.

They said we'd need to fill out a form to say he intended to have hand paddles. I did check she understood he could drive without them but it would be to allow him to drive for longer as his legs tire.

We've now had the forms through. Exactly the SAME forms we filled out previously about having a medical. Agreeing for them to access his medical information to see if he's safe to drive or not. And if we don't send them back within 2 weeks they may revoke his license.

Any advice how to approach this? They will access exactly what they accessed. He will have exactly the same medical with the same dr and they'll provide the same information! They should come to the same conclusion. He passed his test safely a few weeks ago (in fact he passed with no faults recorded!).

And there's absolutely nothing on the form for us to say he's asking about using hand paddles which is what they said it was for. The form is to say he's informing them of a change in his medical condition. Which he is not and which I may VERY clear about 6 times on the phone to the woman I knew wasn't listening - hence my insistence she understood what I was saying.

Anyone been through this and know if I can just send these forms back with a covering letter to explain that nothing has changed. He was just asking about the removal of the adaptions code and if this was required to adapt a car or not?

Too late now, but the problem arose with your enquiry to the DVLA regarding adaptations - anyone can voluntarily adopt an adaptation of they wish provided that they remain in full control of the vehicle and meet all legal requirements: this is not restricted to drivers for whom an adaptation is mandated by DL conditions.
Moving forward your son must complete the form and engage in the process, ridiculous though it seems.
Having set this hare running, not engaging will likely lead to a series of follow up letters culminating in DL suspension or revocation.
The good news is that having passed his test without any adaptation (and with flying colours) and there being no change in his medical condition since the test was passed,there would be no logical basis for imposing any limitations on his DL.
Also worth noting that unless specifically informed in writing by DVLA (or medic) that he should cease driving, your son can continue to drive while DVLA enquiries are completed (this can take a very long time as you have clearly experienced previously.)

Are you planning on him using the hand paddles?

Was he assessed as needing them?

Because my first reading I thought you're saying that in the future he may find it easier to drive with them, but not planning on getting them yet.

But then it sounds like you are asking for hand paddles to be added to his licence to say he has to drive with them.

My dd was born with one hand. She went to the assessment unit and they advised her to learn on an automatic and use a steering ball. She did that, and passed her test with that. However because they only advised, rather than said it was necessary, this isn't listed on her licence, from what I understand.
She won't drive without them, so it would make no difference to her if it was on her licence.