advice on dvla

[countrysider]

Hello, I'm new on here and would like some advice on informing the dvla. I only found out yesterday that I needed to after coming across a news article. I live in the countryside and need my car for everything including work so I am rather stressed about this. My doc says it will be fine, but I would like to know of others experience of this. Thanks. Oh, just checked on the dvla HN1 form and in the list of notifiable conditions, AF isn't even listed, only Atrial defibbrilator. So now I am more confused than ever! By the way, excuse my ignorance, but what is an EP?

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Countrysider

If you type DVLA in the 'Search AF Association ' box at the top right of this page you will see lots of posts that have asked the same question.

I think they only need to know if your AF makes you pass out or become extremely dizzy, but please check.

Jean

[countrysider in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean, this is constantly on my mind even though the doc days nothing to worry about.

[BobD Volunteer]

Firstly an EP is an electrophysiologist. A cardiologist with special training in dealing with arrhythmias.

Yes DVLA do list arrhythmias such as AF on their medical advice to drivers and it says that you must advise them. It only says that you must NOT drive if you are distracted or incapacitated by it.

What does confuse the situation slightly is that under advice to doctors AF does not need to be notified unlike things such as blackouts or stroke and many doctors do not realise that drivers should notify on the form H1 . Since question one asks has a doctor told you not to drive. most of the form is irrelevant but it is worth doing for you own protection. You should also tell your insurance company as failure to advise them of any notifiable condition could invalidate your policy. I have yet to hear of anybody refused or charge extra as a result.of this advice.

If you hold a PSV or HGV license then things are different and you are not allowed to drive until doctors have reported and everybody is happy that you will not have blackouts. are fully medicated and fit to drive.

Hope that helps

Bob

[countrysider in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the info. Have you ever known anyone refused even though they have no problems and the GP says You're fine? Sorry to push, but I need to keep my job and this is on my mind and this constantly on mind. Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to countrysider]

I think you should write rather than telephone DVLA. I have the feeling someone did report a problem with the person at DVLA mishearing or jumping to the wrong conclusion.

Your insurers should also be aware. Usually no problem, no increase of premium.

[countrysider in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rellim2

[JaneFinn in reply to countrysider]

Hi countrysider and welcome Totally understand how disastrous it would be to have your licence taken away while the condition is being investigated.

Your post reminded me that I’ve not actually informed the DVLA myself - thanks! - so i rang them just now. (Before reading Rellim’s wise advice!) I havent been driving anyway, for other reasons.

They were really helpful and said that I need to fill in a H1 form, as Bob says, which will enable them to contact my GP if they feel necessary. The guy said they do not stop someone driving in the interim unless either a doctor has advised them not to drive, or any ‘attacks are sudden and disabling’. In your case unless a doctor has told you not to, it sounds like you’re in the clear.

You don’t need to ring them obviously - you can just fill in and send off the form as advised on the website. Hopefully you won’t have any problems

J x

[countrysider in reply to JaneFinn]

Thanks Jane, for advice and welcome

[BobD Volunteer in reply to countrysider]

NO as I said above.

[countrysider in reply to BobD]

Sorry, missed that bit! Thank you

[doodle68]

Hi Countyrysider AF comes under 'Arrhythmias 'on the DVLA site and I would say it is notifiable ...

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

I recently downloaded the form and sent it in feeling rather scared because like you I live out in the countryside. I was worried about the bit that says 'you have distracting or disabling symptoms' which has a wide interpretation and I do have symptoms but I don't drive when I am in AF and my GP said I was ok to drive.

I received a letter back from the DVLA in days saying it was ok to drive but I must notify them of any changes.

[JaneFinn in reply to doodle68]

That bit concerns me too, Doodle! I was wondering how to answer that. Because I wouldnt feel well enough to drive if in AF, but I would be fine to stop safely if it ever started when driving. But the tick box doesn’t allow for explanations ! What did you put?

Glad you got the go ahead xx

[doodle68 in reply to JaneFinn]

Hi Jane I can't recall the exact wording on the form but I will not be driving while experiencing symptoms of any kind. I do not drive when in AF that is why it took me so long to get a diagnosis because I couldn't get myself the two miles to an ECG machine during an episode.

I am retired and drive very little these days and then only locally so I never really in a position where I have to drive .

[countrysider in reply to doodle68]

Thanks that's good to know

[JaneFinn]

PS an EP stands for ‘electro physiologist’ - a cardiologist who specialises in heart rhythms. Wiser people than me on here have referred to normal cardiologists as the plumbers and EPs as the electricians

With a diagnosis of AF it would be wise to ask for a referral to an EP, who can give you more specialised treatment and advice. Xx

Edited to add: Oops sorry! I see Bob beat me to this! I should read more carefully

[CDreamer]

The only time I have known there be a difficulty is if you have proven pauses in HR - which does sometimes happen with a diagnosis of Sick Sinus Syndrone, which my husband had with AF. He was disallowed to drive until 6 weeks after pacemaker inserted, then on a medical 3 year license.

For lone AF it is merely a formality - absolutely no problem.

[KMRobbo]

The DVLA only need to be informed IF your arrhythmia affects your driving

extract:-

"Arrhythmia and driving

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.

Car or motorcycle licence

You must tell DVLA about your arrhythmia if one of the following applies:

you have distracting or disabling symptoms

your arrhythmia has caused or might cause incapacity

Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure if your arrhythmia causes other symptoms that will affect your driving, or if you must tell DVLA about them.

You must tell DVLA if your arrhythmia affects your driving.

Report your condition online

You can also fill in form H1 and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form"

So the DVLA do not need to be notified unless your or your doctor believes you have a problem.

I suggest that you speak with your GP.

The only time EP/Consultant/doctor has advised me not to drive is for 2 days post ablation ops.,

I went into some detail with my GP on this when originally diagnosed as my company insurance were worried about me driving a company car

[CDreamer in reply to KMRobbo]

Vague - to say the least. I have to declare it anyway as I have other conditions and the lone AF bit hasn’t been an issue but was for my husband along with SSS. I am on a 3 year medical license and was stopped from driving for 6 months.

[countrysider in reply to CDreamer]

Oh so your husband's AF was a problem? May I ask what SSS is? Thanks

[CDreamer in reply to countrysider]

Sick Sinus Syndrone the AF wasn’t a problem but many older people with AF also have SSS.

[countrysider in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks

[countrysider in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks, spoke to the doc and he said I didn't need to do it, but it was best to be honest!

[Maggimunro]

I contacted the DVLA last year and was told that I should have notified them as soon as I was diagnosed with Afib, since I actually only rang them to ask if I needed to tell them about my ablations. She said she had to then open a Medical File on me, send me a form to fill in, and if I didn’t return it within 16 days my licence would be revoked.

The general advice out there is ambiguous, both from GP’s and hospitals but the lady at the DVLA was absolutely clear that I had to go through this proceedure with them, whether or not I was incapacitated by the side effects of Afib.

It was a simple enough form to fill in and send back. i received a confirmation letter a couple of weeks later and I still have my driving licence. So all is well.

I also informed the car insurance company, who seemed relatively uninterested. But, and it is a big but, they have been informed, so can’t use it as an excuse if I ever need to make a claim.

[mavisrich]

I told the dvla and the ins company. I did not have to stop driving while they made a decision (dvla) and they said that I was okay to drive. No problem and better to be safe than sorry because if you do not tell them and you have an accident you could be in all sorts of prosecutions.

[countrysider in reply to mavisrich]

Thanks, I'll send the form. One more thing if you don't mind, do you just put afib, or should it be arrhythmia as well? I don't want to fill in more than necessary and appear worse, but might as well be honest since I'm going this far. Thanks

[lindyloo59]

Having read the infi on dvla site I understand it to read only advise if you are having symptoms that stop you frim driving??? Puzzled 😫

[Sally_Scott]

I got concerned reading your post as I haven’t or been told to inform dvla about my Afib. I just went to their website and from what I can understand as long as it doesn’t effect your driving then you are ok. Unless someone wants to tell me something else.

[Flyer2820]

Hi countrysider

I asked my doctor about driving when I was diagnosed with AF last year, and he said I should stop for 4 weeks from my first tablets which I did. I then rang the dvla and they informed me that I should declare it with them and sent me a form to fill in. I then asked the cardiologist if I was ok to drive and he said it was fine. The dvla wrote to him and after he had informed them I was given the all clear to drive by the dvla. So YES you definitely have to inform the dvla of AF, but make sure you inform the cardiologist and all should be well. I have been driving when in AF and have been ok but would not normally do so if I feel very bad with it. It's worth noting the dvla are very good when you ask for their advice and are not the horrible people you may think they are.

Hope this helps.

Happy driving

Flyer.

[countrysider in reply to Flyer2820]

Thanks, it all seems so simple. I don't even have a cardiologist, so I hope that the doc will suffice!

[Flyer2820 in reply to countrysider]

Hello again countrysider

I forgot to mention that you should also inform your insurance company of AF. I informed mine and once on the records is passed on to any other you go with. It made no difference to my insurance premium but we all know what insurance companies are like if they want to get out of a claim and you haven't told them. Just let them know that the doctor has ok'd it though.

Regards Flyer.

[countrysider in reply to Flyer2820]

Thanks, will do. I wondered if I should just tick AF or arrhythmia as well?

[Flyer2820]

Hello again countrysider

I have AF, atrial flutter and ventricular ectopics. I just put AF on the form and the dvla investigated with the cardiologist. Just put AF and the doctor will do the rest. Remember you are declaring it so they will do the rest.

Good luck. Flyer.

[countrysider in reply to Flyer2820]

Thank you.