DVLNI - AF not notifiable?

[Finvola]

I've been going round in circles with DVLNI and form DL1. The wording of the notifiables on the N Ireland website is very specific and refers to heart rhythm disturbance which causes dizziness, fainting and blackout.

I duly filled in DL1 which was slightly farcical as my answers were all 'no' and was contacted, by telephone, by DVLNI asking why I had sent the form which Swansea had returned to them. I was told that notification was not necessary but in the excellent AFA pack which came yesterday, it says 'inform insurance company'. My insurance company want to be told only about heart conditions which are notifiable to DVL.

The situation seems to be clearer in England and Wales - notify DVL and be sure? I intend to put all this in writing to my insurance company but want to ring them tomorrow to discuss.

Before I ring my insurance company and spin round in yet more circles, how do others cope with this - especially N Ireland members as DVLNI seem to be incommunicado at the moment? Any advice would soothe my headache!

[Bagrat]

Can't advise as had similar. Insurance company only had a tick box if DVLA informed so we informed ( both I and OH have AF) answered no to every Q including " have you been advised by a medical professional to inform DVLA?" Got letters the following week showing extreme disinterest. insurance company put "an informal note" on our policies on computer they say but we have no evidence of that.

[Finvola in reply to Bagrat]

Thank you Bagrat. That's exactly what happened with my husband's insurance too, where I am the named driver. It's the vagueness and no written evidence that concern me slightly about the whole situation.

[tiredandconfused]

My understanding is it's notifable if you are at risk of passing out

[daveeb]

Surely if there's a possibility of passing out, it's sensible to stop driving and think about other road users. Pass out on a busy road and you get one hell of a pile up. As an ex-fireman and long distance driver, I've seen the outcome of that. I gave my license up 6 years ago.

[Finvola in reply to daveeb]

I totally agree with you. My understanding is that notifiable conditions may trigger a request for doctor's report which might cause suspension of licence.

[Vony]

Finvola I had the same quandary. In the end I asked my cardiologist to very clearly document that we had discussed whether I could drive and that I could. I then rang the insurance company and updated them about this which they accepted and when I applied coincidentally for an updated driving licence i wrote a short cover letter explaining this also. It has never been queried with anyone since then xx

[Finvola in reply to Vony]

Thank you, Vony, that's good to know. This is new insurance on a new car in my name, so I was concerned about the comment in the AFA information pack. DVLNI are having difficulties in their other section at the moment as you probably have read about(!!), so are hard to contact for advice.

[ceejayblue]

If you were an insulin dependent diabetic or someone with sleep apnoea you would also have to report it to the DVLA and your insurance, both are conditions where you can black out so not sure why they don't include AF in that?

[Finvola in reply to ceejayblue]

AF has so many facets for us that I suppose the bureaucrats have catching up to do.

It all leaves me feeling that insurance companies may wonder 'why is this being reported' if the driver doesn't have to notify DVLNI.

[BobD Volunteer]

DVLA advice to doctors is that AF is not notifiable. In other words doctors do not need to tell them unlike some conditions where they are legally bound to "dob you in". .

In the DVLA advice to drivers under Arrhythmias/AF the wording changed a few years ago. Prior to that it stated that AF had to be advised to them and driving must cease until the cause had been established and treated. Now it only says diving must cease if the condition is distracting or causes blackouts. Insurance companies generally only want to know about medical conditions which have to be notified to DVLA . New proposal forms usually include such a question so if no then answer no. My own view is that is is always good to send e mail to insurance company even though it is not needed.

[Finvola in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob - the info given on page 11 of the AFA booklet 'Atrial fibrillation and you' sent out this week triggered my investigation.