Dvla notification

[Verybusymum1]

When I was first diagnosed with AF the doctor said he didn't see why I had to tell the DVLA, but I'm not sure if I need to or not? Or the car insurance?

[Langara]

You have to notify the DVLA. They will send you a simple form to complete. If you have never suffered any symptoms likely to affect your ability to drive then there should not be a problem. There is a £1,000 fine if you fail to report a medical condition. Likewise insurance companies require you to notify them of any medical condition, and any changes to that condition. Failure to do so is likely to negate the policy.

[hairdresserme]

I informed the DVLA when I was diagnosed, they just sent out a simple form, which I filled in and sent back. They then wrote back, saying they had added it to my records.

I just think, if you inform them, you know you are on the right side, if you have an accident.

[Finvola]

I informed DVLA and my insurance company of my PAF and asked for it to be noted on my files.

[Verybusymum1 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you I will sort it out ASAP xx

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Your confusion is understandable, on the DVLA website it says for doctors do not notify, but for patients, you have to notify.

As someone has said, it's not worth not doing it, otherwise your insurance could be invalid, and I don't know of anyone who has been refused a license unless they suffer blackouts during AF.

Be well

Ian

[Verybusymum1 in reply to Beancounter]

Thank you I will sort it out ASAP xx

[Craggy]

My understanding is that you only need to advise the DVLA if you have distracting or disabling symptons (which covers my situation). Nevertheless I did advise my insurance company.

I have a Private Pilots licence and I had to stop flying for nine months but my medical certificate was re-issued this week so hopefully I will be in the air again shortly.

[Verybusymum1 in reply to Craggy]

Thank you x enjoy your future flying adventures x

[PeterWh in reply to Craggy]

See my note below

[Rellim296]

I've notified both the DVLA and my insurers that I have AF and there has been no problem with either. If you don't tell them and something goes pear shaped it might be troublesome.

[Verybusymum1 in reply to Rellim296]

Thank you I will sort it out ASAP xx

[PeterWh]

When first diagnosed with AF last year I looked on DVLA website for "Atrial Fibrillation" and "AF" and neither are there so thought I was OK not notifying. However I looked into it again last month following comments on blog and it is misleading, especially considering AF is much more common than other conditions that are specifically listed. DVLA website says heart palpitations and arrhythmia are reportable. As we all know this is the case for us sufferers with AF, whether paradoxical, persistent or permanent AF. Wikipedia has useful definition. Professor Schilling’s London AF Centre Website states “Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex arrhythmia”. Ergo it is reportable.

You can actually download the form from the DVLA website and print off.

My insurance company said no restrictions or notifications or policy changes for any medical condition unless doctor or consultant puts specific restrictions on or unless you don't follow DVLA stipulations regarding conditions / rest after operations. I have heard that some insurance companies do charge additional amounts for medical conditions on DVLA notifiable list and also a policy change fee. If you don't notify straight away then, as said previously, you could have problems later on or they refuse to pay up.

Neither my consultant ERP nor my doctor mentioned about me having to notify DVLA.

[Verybusymum1 in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you I will sort it out ASAP xx

[Craggy in reply to PeterWh]

My understanding is based on this link

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

which gives the following instruction

"You need to tell DVLA about your arrhythmia if one of the following apply:

you have distracting or disabling symptoms

your arrhythmia has caused or might cause incapacity

Check with your doctor if you don’t know if your arrhythmia affects your driving.

You must tell DVLA if your arrhythmia affects your driving."

I am usually very cautious when it comes to these things but I have decided not to complete the form in this case as I don't believe I need to. However, as previously mentioned, I have advised my motor insurance company who were quite happy with everything.

[PeterWh]

It is up to everyone to make their own choice.

I am not a lawyer but very used to analysing the subtleties of wording and interpretation. The key is "your arrhythmia has caused or MIGHT cause incapacity" [my capitals]. If you haven't discussed the driving aspect with your consultant or doctor how do you know? If you have discussed it are you 100% sure that they have actually recorded anything let alone everything in sufficient detail for you to prove in court that you were OK? If there was an accident (and it does not need to be your fault) and it was felt in the slightest that there was an issue then you will be prosecuted and specialists allowed to decide the merits or otherwise. Police officers and CPS have very little discretion and so will start the processes rolling to cover themselves. Also the other driver and the other driver's insurance company can make the claim you were not fit. You as an individual will be responsible for defending yourself (unless you just elect to be guilty) and paying for the costs for getting reports from your own doctor, your own consultant, probably an independent consultant and of course a lawyer. If you are found innocent then you will still have to pay for your costs to defend yourself I think likely to be well over £2,000 possibly £3,000 to £4,000, knowing the fees that are charges in expert reports). If found guilty then you will not have to pay those costs (and the fine) but I do not know if you may or may not have to pay prosecution's costs. If you elect to be guilty or if found guilty then your insurance company may decide to invalidate your policy and you have to pay all your own repair costs, etc.

As someone said on another post if you do notify DVLA they will write a letter to your doctor / consultant and then (assuming all OK) you get a letter back from DVLA which will be a standard response thanking you and saying no further action is required. Therefore in the event of an accident you have a bit of paper to submit which will almost certainly just be accepted and nothing happens (except car repairs, etc).

The cost to you will be nothing than 5 mins completing the form (it is really simple).