Back in August I posted that I'd written to the DVLA about my Afib after I was comparing car insurance quotes for renewal and one of the questions was about notifiable health problems.
The DVLA website was a bit ambiguous which is why I contacted them.
I finally got a letter this week bit scared to open it and it seems I'm officially ok to drive. What a relief as my husband can't drive any more.
So next year I can happily change my insurance company with no worries
Unless your arrhythmia incapacitates or is distracting then driving is permitted but always nice to have that in writing.
My neighbour, who also has Afib wasn't sure either, so asked his doctor, who agreed wording on DVLA website was ambiguous, but said he was ok to drive
Moan Alert - I have a 3 year medical license which required renewing last Dec as I have other conditions as well as arrythmias. I filled in the form prior to Christmas 2020 but thought - won’t send it - Christmas mail - so it was posted Jan 3rd. By April - heard nothing so tried ringing the number - They weren’t answering as they were taking industrial action.
To cut a long story short - tried the web-site, tried emailing, kept calling - nothing - didn’t even know they had received my application.
My brother, ex-civil servant, said - put in a formal complaint which I duly did early Sept.
Then 8 months after posting!
I have since received 3 letters, one very condescending saying as I had medical conditions they needed to contact my doctors as they need to take every caution to ensure safety of others and they are sure I understand this. YES BUT DOES IT TAKE YOU 8 MONTHS to even acknowledge you received my application?
A reply to my complaint saying sorry I felt the need to complain………but….. then a repeat of the 1st letter but adding they had received my application and were ‘processing’ it.
Rang my neurologist sec - have you had communication from DVLA - No….
Rang my cardiologist sec - have you had communication from DVLA - No…
Rang my GP - have had communication from DVLA - No….
Last week letter 3 arrives - very officious - I have to have a medical and they need to respond within 6 weeks. I need to book an appointment with my GP - which they evidently pay the NHS for so loads of forms for me & GP Practice to fill in. Ring GP - explain - big sigh - book appointment which will be next week.
Polly - be very, very glad you don’t need to engage with them……..
PS - I am still driving and carry photocopies around with me just in case but because my official licence has expired I couldn’t hire a car!
Gosh! My form has been with the DVLA since the beginning of April and still no news. Doctor or consultant haven't heard anything. I tried the medical licence helpline, which is on their site somewhere and received a reference number and information which basically said I would hear when they review it and not to phone, as I would not be getting any further information. I had phoned before this and an automated message said that the lines were busy and please phone another time.
Foolishly I sent my licence off without taking a copy, thinking it would get processed fairly quickly. Am assuming that they have received it as they sent another medical form for a fib, although I had already filled one in for the previous licence. Not happy!
No neither am I! I know a lot of people in similar position and letters have been written to MP & minister of Transport. Trouble started when DVLA was partially privatised and outsourced and made worse by COVID so everyone was working from home
My advice - make a formal complaint and write to your MP. It has been mentioned on local TV - funnily enough I know the person who was featured and amazingly they got their renewal a few weeks later!
You are absolutely right in your advice; my late mother-in-law worked for the DHSS and she said there was always an uproar if an MP was involved in a complaint!
My friend was in a similar situation regarding her eyes that had been going on since May last year. Kept giving her temporary extensions and then a few weeks ago, gave her a couple of weeks to have an eye test or they would withdraw her licence. I wont repeat the language she used as this is a family show.😊.
Excellent news PollyDoodle and you absolutely did the right thing to contact DVLA. It's easy to be persuaded to take a guess when something's not crystal clear, but you never feel totally happy and relaxed if you aren't sure, and you are now sure that you, personally, and not someone else has been checked and OK'd to drive. Marvellous!
That’s great polly👍. I asked my EP whether I should inform my insurance and he said as long as I’m not fainting and feeling ill then no. I did notify DVLA anyway just to be sure and was given a clear yes it’s ok to drive.👍
Advising DVLA about Arrhythmia
Declaring AF to DVLA
advice on dvla
DVLA - you couldn't make it up! 
