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AIBU?

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Original poster

This list of conditions to tell the DVLA

80 replies

hungryhippo90 · 04/04/2018 15:38

Ok I know, it’s from the detail trail, but the list of conditions we should be telling the DVLA about.....

Really? I don’t feel like I should have told them about my anxiety because I don’t drive if I’m anxious- putting myself behind the wheel would not be good.

It lists depression, cancer, aspergers.... so so many conditions.

Thoughts please people.

I never knew the list was so exhaustive!

www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/article-5577361/The-five-surprising-medical-conditions-need-legally-declare-getting-wheel.html

OP posts:
bingoLounge · 04/04/2018 17:08

" It is the individual legal responsibility of multiple professionals to report any reasonably grounded suspicions - even in the absence of 100% evidence."

Is it? (genuine question)

"I think that reporting a high risk of dangerous driving should be the responsibility of ANYONE who sees the person in a professional capacity."

Clearly "ANYONE" is ridiculous. How about teachers or educators? University counselors?

Any medical professional? From a newly-trained nurse upwards?

gussyfinknottle · 04/04/2018 18:12

With MS , I have to renew my licence every three years. My heat sinks when the letter drops on the mat and I feel humiliated setting out loads of details and dates on the form. But I would a million times rather that than kill someone or myself as a result of being unfit to drive

Original poster
hungryhippo90 · 04/04/2018 18:23

Just to make it clear, I didn't hide anything, my thought was that I didn't even think anxiety would come into the equation. If I myself feel anxious I don't drive, nothing like the fear of causing an accident and hurting people to put you off! I haven't kept any secrets, and I wouldn't infact I called the dvla when I made this post- I would prefer to stop driving all together than hide anything.

But what this list made me think was, how many conditions there are, which are listed which wouldn't have stricken me as impairing ability to drive and I don't think I ever saw this list before, not when undertaking my driving lessons, not when doing my driving test, not when renewing insurance.
I'm at pains to explain I'm not saying it's wrong, but how many others have seen this exhaustive list before today?

I had no flipping idea about half of them... My father in-law has high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer- I also doubt he felt that he needed to update this to DVLA.

I had it in mind that the big things, like loss of a limb, very bad eyesight, very serious heart conditions were the sort of things they wanted to know.

I very much doubt every person with depression, anxiety, cancer, ADHD,Asperger's knows they have to tell the DVLA.

I hope I've made my point, it's not that I think the DVLA shouldn't want to know. I think they should I just think people maybe need to be made aware of the list including quite common diagnoses that some may not think attribute to their driving.

OP posts:
Original poster
hungryhippo90 · 04/04/2018 18:26

And 10 years isn't enough. It just isn't. 10 years ago I got my provisional- at the time I had none of those conditions...10 years later so much could have changed.

OP posts:
Ellendegeneres · 04/04/2018 18:28

Feckkkkkk! I can’t drive, not allowed cause of my tablets but I’ve just seen 5 different things on there I’d have to inform them of. And I only skimmed Confused

Original poster
hungryhippo90 · 04/04/2018 18:35

Ellen!! I thought the list literally had 5 things on it! To be fair, they weren't that interested. I think what PP has said is quite true, a lot of the time it's the medication that causes the issue.

OP posts:
Twofigsnotgiven · 04/04/2018 18:36

Why on earth are Aspergers and Autism on the list? As far as I’m aware (Aspergers with an ASD child) there is no medication for being on the spectrum. What’s not there is Dyspraxia - that has a massive impact on my ability to drive - I am not safe behind the wheel because of it, so don’t drive.

Original poster
hungryhippo90 · 04/04/2018 18:39

Twofigs- no idea! I don't think most of these were on the list I saw when I applied for my provisional-. I'm sure it was 1/3rd of the length it is now!

OP posts:
INeedToEat · 04/04/2018 18:53

I had to return my licence last year due to epilepsy. My GP and consultant both checked with me several times that I'd informed the DVLA. Fingers crossed I will get my licence back in 5 months.

Epilepsy was new to me and as such I joined a few forums to find out more about it. In many states of the USA you can continue to drive even if you are having regular seizures.

It's a pain but obviously I shouldn't (and wouldnt) be driving until safe to do so.

Mogleflop · 04/04/2018 19:28

It says to tell them about Aspergers or autism if it affects your driving, and to check with your GP if unsure. I think that's fair enough.

Twofigsnotgiven · 04/04/2018 19:30

Mogleflop - what confuses me is how ASD would affect someone’s driving? My Dyspraxia does, absolutely (spatial awareness, reaction times, etc), but it’s not even on the list!

Mogleflop · 04/04/2018 19:46

I don't think it affects mine at all, (although come to think of it I'm not good in queues generally or heat - so I tend to avoid busy times and roads, and always have the air conditioning on).

DH on the other hand really can't multitask or deal with others breaking rules; he also has angry meltdowns in certain situations. In his case he stopped short of taking his test when he technically could drive because we agreed it was stressing him out too much. I can imagine others pushing through regardless and having problems.

Autism is such a complex diagnosis which can cover so many different symptoms, and I could see a lawyer using it against you if you hadn't mentioned it before an accident.

Chwaraeteg · 04/04/2018 20:04

Deja vu is on the list?

bingoLounge · 05/04/2018 14:03

Deja vu is on the list?

bingoLounge · 05/04/2018 14:03

Deja vu is on the list?

bingoLounge · 05/04/2018 14:03

Deja vu is on the list?

DGRossetti · 05/04/2018 14:12

Very droll, minister Grin

MyMushroomsInATimeSlip · 05/04/2018 14:24

www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/30653.asp

GMC guidance. They can report to DVLA

theWarOnPeace · 05/04/2018 14:37

I have a condition that causes joints to dislocate, but IMO does not affect driving whatsoever. I declared it when I changed address and the DVLA took my license. I asked my consultant to write a letter saying I’m fit to drive and he said he wasn’t able to in good conscience, because he couldn’t be certain... extremely inconvenient and unnecessary, as I know myself if I can drive or not and would never drive whilst taking medication, but I guess they can’t trust me on that. I do think it’s fair to ask, but they need to have more extensive ways of making these decisions.

RunYouJuiceBitch · 05/04/2018 15:01

A lot of these conditions are 'you must inform the DVLA if it affects your ability to drive'. Not 'you must inform them full stop', so no need to get one's knickers in a twist.

That's an instruction that no sensible person can argue with, though it is subjective and I'm sure plenty do not declare when they should.

Other conditions must be declared to the DVLA, regardless. I have one of them. Although it never adversely affected my driving in my particular case, it's on the list and I did my duty and informed them. I returned my licence and did not drive for nearly two years. My condition is now controlled; I had to have an assessment by the doctor, and now I have a licence again but it must be reviewed every three years.

I have no problem with this. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and should be seen as such.

I also have diagnosed anxiety, much better these days anyway but I've never informed the DVLA about that as it's never affected my ability to drive.

Oddbutnotodd · 05/04/2018 15:13

Just a thought. If you have to tell the DVLA why don’t you have to inform your insurers as well? I agree some of the conditions seem a bit random. You definitely have to click on the list to see if your condition is included. Given that many women with Aspergers for example, are undiagnosed, who knows if their driving is affected by their condition.

onlyjustme · 05/04/2018 15:32

It is a long list but if you click on most of them and read the next bit you actually DON'T need to tell them!

Insurance v Doctor is a potential grey area. DH got stuck once as his doctor hadn't actually said the words "yes you can drive" and so his work told him he couldn't... so he was off for ages (thankfully paid) whilst someone made a decision.

My own insurance were fine with me, my physiotherapist said "when you feel ready" and insurance agreed that it was my choice and I would be insured when I drove again.

Aeroflotgirl · 05/04/2018 15:44

Wow, due to that list I don't think there will be many cars on the road. I have anxiety (non medicated) I am learning to drive. Better give up then.

bingoLounge · 05/04/2018 16:06

@Oddbutnotodd

I assume that undiagnosed means you don't need to report it.

"If you have to tell the DVLA why don’t you have to inform your insurers as well?"

My insurers had a longer list of questions than the DVLAs.

Original poster
hungryhippo90 · 05/04/2018 20:38

Aero- don't give up! I spoke with DVLA yesterday, seemed really uninterested. Evenore so when they asked the medication I was taking and it was a non drowsy one. Just to be sure I've asked if there's a form I can fill out and send back just so I can be sure.

Not interested.

OP posts:
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