Driving medical - depression

[Wonderfulday]

My son applied for his provisional driving license and had to go for a medical as he was on anti-depressants. His own GP and his CAMHS counsellor gave their statement to say he was stable and his condition nor his medication would have any impact on his ability to drive. HOWEVER he was still subjected to a medical by the driving agency which asked questions about my marriage, where we happy couple, what relationship did he have with siblings, they asked about the reason he self harmed, how deep the cuts were, where on his body he cut, why he had depression, what does he talk to his counsellor about, how was his school life, they didn't accept generic answers, they pushed and pushed. What relevance does any of that have on his ability to drive! I was expecting questions like, does your medication make you drowsy, have you thoughts of harming others etc AIBU to take this further as in a complaint?? Surely if the people treating him for years say he is stable they should accept that without making him divulge personal issues to a complete stranger about things that happened when he was about 15!!! I am so furious that he was put through this!

These questions were asked because it was an appeal against the DVLA’s rule that the person has been stable on medication with no side effects for 3 months. If your DD has been taking her medication for longer than this then her doctor will be able to say she’s fit to drive. No medical required.

to see a gp, or other health practitioner , by definition you would expect them to possibly ask intrusive questions; to be asked that level of question in a driving assessment by a stranger who may or, may not ,have appropriate qualifications in handling mental distress is (imo ) a different circumstance .

I warned him it was a full medical, but in my ignorance I presumed the questions would be around how his condition or medication may affect his ability to drive, I wasn't expecting them to delve into WHY he self harmed in the past or WHY he had depression

YABU for querying why they can’t take the word of his psychiatrist or GP, being responsible for a car is not minor. They need independent assessment but they will also use the psychiatrist’s view in looking at the case as a whole.

It sounds as if DVLA are following guidelines; they just need as much information as possible about his background in order to make a balanced decision on his suitability as a driver.

So you agree that asking him WHY he self harmed and WHY he has depression is relevant? That makes me think there is a right and wrong answer?? Is one reason for depression ok to drive but another reason not ok?? Surely it should be about HOW it makes you react, HOW it impacts you daily, and not WHY you have it??

As others have said, it wouldn't have been because of depression.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cf7243e1bdec001a322268/assessing-fitness-to-drive-february-2024.pdf

Chapter 4, page 92.

I probably could have worried my post better, I have no issues in them asking HOW it impacts him or HOW his medication makes him feel etc but I can't understand them asking WHY he has depression or why he self harmed, are his answers going to have an effect on their decision? I don't think I agree that "background" should be a decider on whether someone can drive or not, surely it should be based on their current circumstances and how that affects them now!!

It's because he is on medication for depression but was on it for less than 3 months

@Wonderfulday

They are asking these questions as your son would be in corona of a very heavy very Dane's vehicle and if he drive into oncoming traffic it would be catastrophic. Surely you can see that? These questions ARE relevant.

I would never want my son driving if he was a risk to himself or others, so like I have said previously, I understand and agree with the checks but I felt the questions were the issue, HOW the depression impacts him is relevant not the reason for having depression

I think you need to accept that you open this can of worms with your decision to appeal against their decision. Everything becomes relevant when you want to bypass rules that are in place for everyone’s safety. Those safety rules are in place for good reason and three months is a relatively short length of time. Most people would have waited until the three months had passed. Remember, they’re there to keep your son safe too. I’ve got friends on antidepressants and the side effects are different for everyone. Some people are absolutely fine and others have adverse reactions. I have a friend who would suddenly drop off asleep due to her medication causing tiredness and fatigue.

Whoa........hold on a minute!
Regardless of a) are the DVLA right to request so much info? b) is OP over-involved, indignant and angry on her son's behalf? c) is OP's son concealing something?............that is a very, very sweeping, judgemental, and serious allegation to make.
I look forward to hearing from you as to what/where is your evidence to support your statement.....

The reason why someone self-harms or has depression is relevant as the person making the decision about whether he would be considered suitable to hold a license needs all information possible in order to make a balanced decision.

I'm not trying to wind you up, OP, you just need to see this from a dispassionate viewpoint. The DVLA are just trying to keep the roads safe.

If he is unsuccessful this time, can he not re-apply when he has been on meds for 3 months?

I suppose I am seeing this from a mother's point, it has taken my son over a year to improve and get to where he is, I just find it crazy that someone will make a decision on him in 15 mins

Completely understable but try not to take it personally, they will be using this information to make a detailed report on his suitability. In our litigious society it could be that if a person is granted a license, then harms themselves or others, then that person or their family could sue the DVLA for granting the license in the first place.

I hope that it all works out for him and wish you both well.

Do you ask for evidence to back up everyone's post, or is it just me you don't believe? Once I get the letter printed and cover info that is personal I will take a picture and upload and tag you

Only because I was being accused of lying!