Will I automatically be denied for a license

[Changednayme]

I am about to apply for a provisional license. I get blackouts, have mental health issues and wear glasses. I can feel the blackouts coming on days/hours before they do. I have executive dysfunction when tired or stressed but my functioning levels vary massively. I can function very well some days, even excellently. If I was effected on a particular day I wouldn’t drive. I have declared it, but would I automatically be disqualified? Or do I not need to declare it because I wouldn’t drive whilst effected?

What you have described would be a major risk on the roads. Not just to you but to everyone around you. You were right to declare it

It depends. The DVLA will contact your doctors (are you under a consultant?) to ask them about the severity of all your health problems, but you won’t be automatically disqualified. Very generally, if you get warnings for your “blackouts”, they have a defined prodrome (symptoms beforehand) and they never/rarely happen when sitting down you should be ok-otherwise it might be trickier.

Have you ever had these blackouts investigated?

Current guidance is.

For epilepsy.

If they have a fit while awake. They can't drive for a year after.

Not sure exactly for you.
But would assume even if given a licence you would t be allowed to drive for a year after.

Ideally would advise you to get this looked at and treated if possible.

There is a dvla guidance page that tells you the advice for fits and blackouts.

Will see if I can find.

FIL is epileptic, triggered by being hit by a car as a pedestrian and suffering a head injury. He wasn't allowed to drive for years because he had seizures infrequently. He now hasn't had a seizure for more than 15 years, his medication works and he is allowed to drive. I would doubt very much with your ongoing blackouts you would be, it would be a significant risk to the public

By “blackouts” I presumed you meant syncope (fainting). If it’s epilepsy then entirely different rules apply.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neurological-disorders-assessing-fitness-to-drive

It’s not epilepsy it’s fainting and I can feel it coming on well before it happens, I feel “off”

I thought so. Does it ever happen sitting down? I’m a “fainter” who drives. It’s fine as I never faint sitting down. If your prodrome is well defined you don’t even need to inform the DVLA (see Recurrent typical vasovagal syncope with identifiable consistent prodrome).

I have fainting episodes. The DVLA revoked my licence last year.

I have fainted sitting down

@Changednayme Ok, that changes things. Do you know why you fainted? You need to have a defined trigger that can’t reoccur while driving, otherwise the annual chance needs to be less than 20%. (See Recurrent typical vasovagal syncope with identifiable consistent prodrome).

It happens when I don’t get enough sleep for a while/a particularly distressing event like having an injection/bad panic attacks/too hot I think it’s syncope

I'd hope it would be denied to you if this is the case!

I would declare it, then let DVLA decide.

It is a really stressful process as it takes time, but usually results in a GP assessment and if they believe you are able to manage your condition in a way that keeps you away from the wheel when unsafe then you will simply fall into the "DVLA aware, no restrictions" catagory. Declarable to insurance companies but no increase in premiums.

@Changednayme Have you seen cardiology? In general, straight vasovagal syncope would be alleviated by sitting/lying down. I think it would potentially be quite tricky to avoid stress/heat while driving. Does anything work to reduce the triggers?

If your condition is any way likely to affect your driving you should declare. If you did faint and had an accident and it was a known condition that you hadn't declared you could invalidate your insurance and be fined or even prosecuted, according to this.

www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/medical-conditions/

@HeidiWhole It’s not quite that clear cut. People who never faint sitting down (Recurrent typical vasovagal syncope with identifiable consistent prodrome) don’t need to declare. The issue is that OP does.

If you click on the link I posted it is very detailed and gives the advice for multiple different presentations.

For recurrent unexplained syncope which is what you have.

Unexplained syncope, including syncope without reliable prodrome
This diagnosis may apply only after appropriate neurological and/or cardiological opinion and investigations have detected no abnormality.
While standing or sitting ✘- Must not drive and must notify DVLA.

If no cause has been identified, the licence will be refused or revoked for 6 months. ✘- Must not drive and must notify DVLA.

If no cause has been identified, the licence will be refused or revoked for 12 months.

Click on the link.

The advice is very detailed

But really you need to be investigated to see of this condition can be treated.

It sounds like you don't have a diagnosis to explain this fainting.

Therefore it does not sound like you would be safe to drive.

It only happens when I am particularly distressed

I really just want to have a yes or no answer

But driving can be stressful by itself.

I have similar and currently on a period of no driving for 12 months. I think you will find it’s the same for you. Stress as a pp said happens when driving. Being late , traffic, other drivers , weather etc and not in your control either which makes it more stressful.
So my thoughts are no. But you can only get a definite decision if you fill in the medical declaration from the dvla which has a Specific form re syncope with epilepsy included too. If you get asked to suspend do that rather than get your licence revoked. It’s much easier to get it back when you are ok again to drive.

As you seem to be saying your fainting episodes are triggered by stressful situations, honestly I hope that this would be a good enough reason for denying you a provisional license for now.

Driving is stressful.