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Advice about mobility cars please.

37 replies

charliecat · 12/03/2006 11:27

My brother is scizophrenic and is going to apply for a mobility car. Trouble is he doesnt take his medicine and so you have a quite literally madman driving round thinking the police are after him etc etc etc.
He is as tightfisted with money as you could be and we are hoping that he has to stump up an amount in advance to put him off applying.
He has also said if he has to pay insurance and tax they can stick it...well lol...im sure you can imagine.
How does the scheme work?
If he doesnt have to cough up anything im going to have to tell the dvla or dsa or whoever it is that hes driving about having not taken his pills etc and id rather it was taken out of my hands.
Thanks.

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tinyFox · 12/03/2006 12:39

bumping this up for you charliecat,

charliecat · 12/03/2006 13:33

thanks tf :)

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sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 13:40

it depends on the car, some are nil advance, so are into the thousands, if he choses a car with nil payment then you will have to inform the DVLA, does he get mobility then???

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 13:48

tax and insurance is paid for by the scheme. You are going to have your work cut out, depending on what car he chooses and whether to inform the DVLA, I am wondering how he has kept his licence though (on offence intended)

tinyFox · 12/03/2006 14:00

bumpty bump

charliecat · 12/03/2006 14:02

he has kept his licence coz he hasnt told anyone(the dvla) and i guess hes never mentioned to his doctor that he drives....cant believe they pay for the ins and tax as well grrrrr pants. Ok , he was after a mercedes so i guess there will be hefty lump to pay
strangely i remember his benefits, that he was getting because he was ill paying for the driving lessons.
His worker has gave him the forms, so she knows

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sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 15:54

But does he get Mobility?? Seems strange for someone who can walk (I'm guessing he can) He can't get a mobility unless he get the mobility part of DLA

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 15:54

mobility car*

misdee · 12/03/2006 15:55

mieow he could have mobility if he is unsafe waking around (and by the sounds of it he is if he doesnt take his meds)

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 15:56

true,

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 15:57

true,

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 16:00

well, mercedes have an advance payment of anything from 250 to 7000+ click on the link and scroll dwon to mercedas

\link{http://www.motabilityonline.co.uk/site/current_prices/documents/PriceGuide.pdf\here}

MeerkatsUnite · 12/03/2006 16:47

Charliecat

You need to read this and you need to be particularly aware of the second paragraph:-

www.rethink.org/information/living/driving2.html

desperateSCOUSEwife · 12/03/2006 16:50

also it will be around £160 a month (this is for child, dont know if it is the same for adult) taken out of his dla a month to pay for it
if he is leasing it

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 16:51

its the same for child or adult DSW :)

MeerkatsUnite · 12/03/2006 16:55

Charliecat,

This is what the link I posted says:-

Many people with severe mental illnesses drive safely. There are however, some mental illnesses for which extra precautions must be taken. People with personality disorders and alcoholism have the highest rates of motoring offences and are more likely to be involved in accidents. Therefore, to be safe on the road you must be aware of how your illness affects you and have the permission of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to drive.

If you are diagnosed with a psychotic illness such as manic depression or schizophrenia and you intend to drive you must tell the DVLA. If you do not you will not be able to drive legally and your insurance will not be valid.

The DVLA will send you a medical questionnaire to fill in, as well as a form asking permission for them to contact your doctor or a specialist. You should always give permission, or you probably won't get a license. What the doctor or specialist says to the DVLA will affect that body's decision on whether you will be allowed to keep your license. You may even have to undergo a medical examination, which will be free, although you will have to pay any traveling expenses yourself. During this time you will normally be able to keep driving under section 88 Road Traffic Act 1998. However, if your doctor advises you to not drive and you choose to ignore this advice then it may affect your insurance cover.

The advice that the DVLA gives is different depending on whether you are having an acute episode or you have a controlled chronic condition.

acute episodes

The DVLA must be notified and you should stop driving until you hear the outcome of the medical enquiry. The license will usually be revoked until the person has been well and stable, compliant with medication and with insight into their condition for up to 12 months, depending on the severity and circumstances of the illness.

chronic mental illness

The DVLA must be notified but driving is usually allowed even in those who continue to have symptoms, and whose insight is limited. It is conditional upon compliance with medication and stable behaviour. Symptoms must not intrude or cause distraction while driving. If the DVLA does allow you to have a driving license, they may restrict it to a period of one, two or three years, after which you will have to go through the whole process again. In this way your illness can be kept under constant review.

incapacity

Incapacity refers to times when you are unable to make various decisions for yourself. In these circumstances medical professionals should inform the DVLA immediately and explain to you that they have a legal duty to inform the DVLA.

if you do not accept that you are unfit to drive

The doctor who has recommended that you do not drive should suggest that you seek a second opinion regarding fitness to drive. They should make the appropriate arrangements for this to happen. You will not be able to drive until you you have obtained a second opinion saying that you are fit to drive. If you do continue to drive when the doctor has said you are unfit to the doctor can inform your next of kin, and disclose medical information to the medical advisor at the DVLA.

changes in your illness

If your illness gets worse since your license was issued, or you develop a new medical condition, you must write to inform the DVLA of the nature of your condition.

desperateSCOUSEwife · 12/03/2006 16:58

ta sm :)

charliecat · 12/03/2006 17:20

see thats all stuff that HE hasnt done. Which is why i was going to tell the dvla that he wasnt fit to be driving round. I dont know about the mobility thing, but its his mantal health worker person who has gave him the forms, so????? Thannks BTW :)

OP posts:
sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 17:21

He will be entitled to DLA, the care part but I am not sure about the mobility part(which is the part you need for a car)

tinyFox · 12/03/2006 17:23

I can't believe that the social worker lady thingy actually gave him the forms in the first place. how strange is that?

charliecat · 12/03/2006 17:23

well because hes MENTALLY ill, he get it in his head he cant walk etc, lol, but its all in his head and theres nothing wrong with his legs ...does that count..lol

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sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 17:25

hehe

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 17:25

I don't think its count. I would try and speak to the support worker myself if possible

sparklymieow · 12/03/2006 17:29

Does he take his meds at all???

charliecat · 12/03/2006 17:30

no

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