AIBU to re-apply for my driving license?

[fortifiedwithtea]

I am epileptic. I have been without my driving license for 14 years. However I have at last managed to go nearly a year seizure free. I hated driving, was always nervous and was relieved I had a valid reason not to drive when I handed it back to the DVLA.

However, I am not so mobile now. My youngest is disabled and gets the highest rate of PIP.

My eldest says what’s the point? My reply is its a good form of ID. I could drive on short journeys on the easy roads and still get a taxi for other journeys.

We have a car sitting on the drive doing nothing all day. DH gets to work by train.

My DD1 says but I am still an epileptic what happens if I have a seizure and don’t have time to pull over. Her argument is I’m a danger to everyone else on the road.

So who is being unreasonable?

I think if you’ve not been signed off medically you drive then you shouldn’t. Your DD is correct.

So you hate driving are scared you are not so mobile and epeleptic and you have to ask.ofcourse it's not a good idea🙄

Would you actually get it back? My sons step mum was 3 year seizure free and still wasn’t allowed to drive. Lucky though as she’s jus had her first seizure in that long! I really feel for her :(

I think your daughter is right; the stress of driving could possibly trigger a seizure.

We had to prove dd was 5 years seizure free for her licence. We needed consultant letters and the GP had to complete extensive forms.

Discuss it with your HCP. The DVLA will write to them to check how well your condition is controlled before any decision is made.

DH got his back after being 2 years seizure free and (touch wood) is still seizure free 6 years now. Only you know whether it’s a bad idea or not. Have you felt them coming on at all and been able to side step them or have you genuinely been symptom free for the year?

Personally we’ve agreed to never live anywhere where we’d be entirely dependent on cars, just in case, but I accept that’s a different arrangement.

@Knittedfairies good point stress can be a trigger. However there have been times when I’ve been under enormous pressure (eg when DF was dying) and I held it together. But then had a series of seizures he passed and life was supposed to be more settled.

@TheDarkPassenger @ArsenicGreen your replies are an eye opener I always thought I had to get to the magic year mark.

I think it depends on the epilepsy and timing of the seizures - I know of one person who has night seizures who only had to go a year without a seizure until they got their license back.

I also know of other people who haven’t got there’s back after 5 years seizure free because they had multiple day time seizures.

But, i don’t think it’s a great idea for you, given what you’ve said - if you’ve managed without so far why do you need a license?

If you haven't driven for 14 years, and were a nervous driver back then, is it really a good idea?

Discuss it with your consultant first. If they think it's an okay idea then go about investigating getting it back.
But please don't even attempt to drive without having some refresher lessons.