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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

DVLA gave DS a 1 year licence

86 replies

user400 · 30/12/2018 12:48

Hi all,

So DS turned 17 at the start of April this year and he applied for his provisional in February. DS has Asperger’s, short sightedness and takes medication (Prozac) but he has not taken it in a few months as he doesn’t need it but his GP doesn’t know this. (He wears glasses for his short sightedness and can drive with them)

He declared all those 3 things on his provisional application form and a few weeks later he was sent a form from the DVLA (something about pschyological conditions) and he had to get his GP to fill that out and return it to the DVLA on his behalf.

So all that was done and his provisional arrived late March just before his 17th birthday.

His provisional was due to expire on 25 March 2019, we thought this was normal as I always thought that provisional licenses lasted one year but we only caught on yesterday that they do in fact last 10 years just like the full licences! So this was never questioned until now!

He passed his driving test last week, his full licence arrived in the post yesterday. The expiry date from the provisional carried over, meaning he will have to renew his driving licence in 3 months! Wtf??

DS said to me That he thought licences lasted 10 years so that’s when it became clear that the DVLA have put him on a short time licence, without even telling him! He has been on a short term provisional as well and we never caught on until now.

All I need to ask is, why have the DVLA put him on a short term licence because of his Asperger’s? It’s obvious they have as that’s what the medical form was about when they sent it when he applied for his provisional.

His Asperger’s doesn’t affect his driving so I can’t understand this. Either the DVLA are being silly or the GP has written something on the letter to make it sound worse than what it is, I will need a copy of this letter to see exactly what was written.

Do you think We can change this and get a new 10 year licence sent to him? I have rheumatoid arthritis in my feet and I told DVLA and they never gave me a short term licence for that, a condition that is more likely to cause problems driving than Asperger’s!

OP posts:

newplacenofriends · 30/12/2018 12:51

Is his short sightedness really bad? It might be that he can only have a driving lisence renewal on proof of a yearly eye test?

DanielRicciardosSmile · 30/12/2018 12:51

I think you need to contact the DVLA and ask them. I've never even heard of 1-year provisional licences, let alone a full licence with an expiry of 3 months.

newplacenofriends · 30/12/2018 12:51

Everyone I know with Aspergers has 10 year lisences so I would be suprised if it is that

Noonemournsthewicked · 30/12/2018 12:51

Could be the prozac usage?
He should have received a letter explaining the 1 year licence though.
My friend with MH problems had a 1 year licence that was then extended to a 3 year licence (for good behaviour) so a usual licence isn't out of the question eventually.

posthistoricmonsters · 30/12/2018 12:53

Ring dvla and ask them if they are requiring him to have an eye test every year because that sounds much more like it.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 30/12/2018 12:54

There's a chance that becuase of his medication they'll want the medical stuff filled out yearly.

Call the DVLA as they'll be able to help.

Cherries101 · 30/12/2018 12:58

Have you called the DVLA?

Cherries101 · 30/12/2018 12:59

I’m guessing it’s because he has 2 MH conditions.

whiskeysourpuss · 30/12/2018 13:01

There will be a code on the licence somewhere which will give any special requirements - all my categories are coded 01 which shows that I can't drive without glasses or contact lenses for example.

Although my photo card licence expires in 2024 (when the photo needs replaced) my entitlement to drive each category (shown in the table on the back) doesn't expire until the day before my 70th birthday in 2048

You're best bet would be to contact the DVLA directly & ask why he has been issued a short term licence.

MulticolourMophead · 30/12/2018 13:03

I am very shortsighted and am partly deaf and don't have problem with my licence, So i suspect it could be the Prozac. Best to call and ask.

Sleepyblueocean · 30/12/2018 13:06

I think it will be eyesight or medication rather than aspergers. They should have sent you a letter with the reason if asked. The short licence rules will apply to both types of licence.

user1471530109 · 30/12/2018 13:07

Lots of medical conditions have limited length driving license. For example, I have to jump through hoops and form filling every three years. One year they took nearly 12mths to agree to renew it and then the next it was sent within weeks.

They are not ally v good if you call them. I think you can email? My xh had lots of dealings with them over his own health and license and they were always v good.

AnnaMagnani · 30/12/2018 13:09

Most people with all those things wouldn't have declared them TBH.

tinesltitties · 30/12/2018 13:09

Surely his GP would know if he isn't getting Prozac anymore though?

Thewifipasswordis · 30/12/2018 13:11

2 MH conditions.

BlankTimes · 30/12/2018 13:13

With autism and asperger's, you only need to declare it if it affects your driving.
He's declared it so they will assume it does affect his ability to drive.

www.gov.uk/asd-and-driving

Corrag · 30/12/2018 13:14

It could be because he isn't taking his prozac anymore. If he's stopped taking it off his own back, rather than on the advice of his GP, it could be a concern.

Mummyoflittledragon · 30/12/2018 13:14

What a waste of time, getting a licence for 3 months! Is your ds sure he received no explanatory notes with either licence? Is there a special code on the licence?

troubleswillbeoutofsight · 30/12/2018 13:15

Half the people I know take Prozac or similar. None have ever informed the dvla

historyrocks · 30/12/2018 13:17

I suspect they will have assumed he has depression due to the Prozac (which is reasonable). Anything other than mild depression is a notifiable condition—I’ve heard terrible things about the DVLA and it’s treatment of those with mental illness.

SylvanianFamiliesNurserySet · 30/12/2018 13:19

With autism and asperger's, you only need to declare it if it affects your driving.
He's declared it so they will assume it does affect his ability to drive.

It's this. I have taken antidepressants my whole adult life and it has no impact on my driving. I've never declared it (why would I?). I declared my short-sightedness though, so my licence states that I have to wear my glasses.

The DVLA only cares about conditions that might have an impact on your ability to drive safely.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 30/12/2018 13:22

With autism and asperger's, you only need to declare it if it affects your driving. He's declared it so they will assume it does affect his ability to drive.

^ this.

ThunderStorms · 30/12/2018 13:23

Surely this is a good thing to keep roads as safe as they can.

HeffalumpsDaughter · 30/12/2018 13:26

I have diagnosed autism, am short sighted and on prescribed AD’s. I have a 10 year license and I don’t recall having to declare my conditions when I applied for my DL. I did apple 6 years ago though so maybe that’s changed?

Original poster

user400 · 30/12/2018 13:33

Yes I understand that the roads need to be safe, but I think that there’s a fine line of difference between being safe and then being completely ridiculous. There’s no need for him to have a one year licence

OP posts:

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