Driving - keep on going ?

[keithchesterfield]

This is my first post - please bear with me.

I'm 76 and I've had heart failure for around five years and have been taking Ramipril and Bisoprolol to control the failure.

Last November I had a Pacemaker fitted.

The Doctors have decided I have a high burden of atrial fibrillation and need an anticoagulant - a couple of days ago I started taking Rivaroxaban.

I've been online at the DVLA site and gone through the questions they ask and, as far as I can see, I don't need to worry and can still keep my licence and continue to drive.

Has anyone similar problems to mine and did they find that they had no problems with the DVLA - or have I got it wrong ?

PS - I've tried using the Search facility (at the right hand top of page) but can't get any results - please let me know what I'm doing wrong.

[Hidden]

Keith

Have you told DVLA about your pacemaker? Also your insurance company?

If not, you will have to, and they will ask for a medical report. Great photograph btw

[keithchesterfield in reply to Hidden]

Yes, both the DVLA and my insurance companies know about the pacemaker - but not about the more recent diagnosis or thinning medication.

[Hidden in reply to keithchesterfield]

I told both DVLA and my insurers about AF and they were happy but I did not mention anticoagulation. I suspect they would not find it a concern, though this is guessing.

It is always better to say something that is not required than to omit to mention something that could be seen as relevant.

[doodle68]

Hello keithchesterfield I recently filled in the form on the DVLA website with some trepidation as I live alone miles from anywhere and would be stuffed without a car. I read the details on the DVLA website last year and they appear to have changed since then so I thought I better fill in the form ASAP.

I have P-AF and wouldn't dream of going near a car when I am having an episode so am no danger to anyone and don't drive far these days anyway .

I received a letter back within 2 weeks to say it is ok to drive and to notify them if there are any changes.

I also notified my insurance company at the time I was diagnosed, they weren't interested and I insisted they made a note to say I had informed them.

My insurance has just come up for renewal and the premium hasn't changed much just in line with the yearly adjustment. There was no mention of health on the renewal so I brought it up. I think they feel if you are a risk you would have had your licence revoked. They did say that some companies ask about health....

Edited to say: where on earth did you get my photograph from ...

[keithchesterfield in reply to doodle68]

Edited to say: where on earth did you get my photograph from ... - I'm surprised you admit that it's your photo - you're not wearing a seatbelt.

Thanks for the information - very helpful.

[doodle68 in reply to keithchesterfield]

ooops...don't tell the DVLA will you

[Hidden]

This advice for doctors assessing fitness to drive dates from 2016 and may have changed

gov.uk/guidance/cardiovascu...

If you put in DVLA in the AFA search box top right, you will get a lot of results for conversations here.

For obvious reasons DVLA are particularly interested in, fits, faints, blackouts etc but on the whole I think it's best to declare too much than too little. None of us want to risk losing our driving licence,,but then I guess none of us want to be responsible for injuring someone else. And I do agree with asking your insurance company to enter all,medical information on the insurance certificate.

[keithchesterfield in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the link.

[cassie46]

I am on the same drugs as yourself plus a few others. I only got round to informing them a year ago when I had to change details on my license and had to fill in the full license form again. I informed them of the AF and drugs and also that I have Glaucoma. The only thing they were interested was the Glaucoma, I had to have a eye test for DVLA for this. My eye consultant had never said I could not drive in fact never mentioned driving, my Glaucoma has been stable since laser treatment 6 years ago. Passed eye test.

[Dottikate]

I phoned the DVLA to ask about this when I saw someone else query this. They asked if there was any history of fainting etc, and when I said no, they said there was no problem.