Driving

[samuela5]

I am stable with my AF for 10 yrs.I take 1.25 mg Bisoprolol am and 2.25mg night.

Do we need to let car insurance or DVLA

Aware of AF. Thankyou

[CDreamer]

You do need to let DVLA know- just online form to fill in last time I looked but it is constantly changing and as long as you have no history of blackouts or your doctor says you must not drive - that’s it. My insurance has never wanted to know as long as I have registered with DVLA. They can check with DVLA if you had a claim so best to register.

[samuela5 in reply to CDreamer]

Thankyou for your reply. Samula5.

[samuela5]

Thankyou Samula5

[BenHall1]

HI,

My GP, back in 2010, when I was first diagnosed with AF told me I had to notify both. I did. It has been on my record ever since, however, as I still hold a PCV (Bus) licence and because I am over 70 I now have to have annual medical checks before I get my licence renewed, yep, even my car licence. Doesn't bother me - cheap way of keeping an eye on things. In recent years I have changed employer and my present employer carries out these checks with a company employed Doctor. Previously I paid my GP. But then I can't remember my last AF event, at least 18 months, maybe as long as 4 years ago.

[Hidden]

Based on what it says in the link below, for a standard car or motorcycle licence I don’t think you need to inform DVLA unless you think that your AF might affect your driving.

You must inform the DVLA about AF if you have a bus, coach or lorry licence.

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

[afhanhound in reply to Hidden]

if you type in Atrial Fibilation (rather than arrhythmia) it requires you to inform DVLA using a paper form which can be sent online or by post. It seems to differentiate between AF and arrhythmia which is rather confusing!

[Hidden in reply to afhanhound]

AF is an arrhythmia so I personally would follow the quidance for arrhthmia as outlined above.

[Buzby62 in reply to Hidden]

I think it’s from the page on this link

gov.uk/driving-medical-cond...

The “atrial fibrillation” link on heart conditions on this page takes you to the form but it’s meant for people with an ICD fitted.

I believe this is where the confusion is created as AF is covered by arrhythmias in my opinion on the following link.

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

[Buzby62 in reply to Hidden]

I’m with you on that and believe this link for medical professionals backs that up

gov.uk/guidance/cardiovascu...

Scroll down to arrhythmias

[Suesouth]

You have to advise DVLA, I did this and had my licence taken off me, GP won’t agree to me driving again until I’ve had my ablation! Goodness only knows when that will be, been waiting over 12 months now!

[Mugsy15 in reply to Suesouth]

Either something has gone deeply wrong in terms of DVLA admin or there's a lot you haven't told us about your condition!

[Suesouth in reply to Mugsy15]

I was getting dizzy spells at the time, had a cardioversion, but a lot more has happened since, complete heart block, CA, pacemaker! But DVLA do require you to advise them, unless it has changed since last October!

[Hylda2 in reply to Suesouth]

My husband had exactly the same. Complete heart block, heart stopped on table as they were inserting his pm.

[Mugsy15]

Ah, that's more like it. The DVLA (or indeed insurance companies) aren't interested in AF unless it is accompanied by by the type of symptoms you describe. Thank you.

[TopBiscuit]

No, you don't need to advise the DVLA unless your AF affects your driving. This is what their site actually says:

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 means you might not be able to safely stop or control a vehicle

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.

[afhanhound in reply to TopBiscuit]

The DVLA site differentiates between an arrhythmia and AF. AF required a declaration.

[TopBiscuit in reply to afhanhound]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be argumentative but I don't agree. I've gone round and round on that website and I've come to the same conclusion as  Hidden and  Buzby62

I do agree that it's as clear as mud!

[Buzby62 in reply to TopBiscuit]

I’ve now found another GOV link that leads you to reporting via the form as    afhanhound says, it’s the GOV online checking tool which kind of contradicts its own guidance pages for drivers and medical professionals. I’m guessing it’s because AF and symptoms is so varied and complex they can’t include it in the online checking tool and revert you to a form for a human to check. It won’t hurt to fill the form in but I’m happy that I understand the guidance rather than use the tool.

   Hidden

We’re all right, it’s the tool that is misleading people to inform when they don’t need to according to the guidance.

gov.uk/health-conditions-an...

I’ve reported it now on the button “Report a problem with this page” you never know, someone may fix it.

[afhanhound in reply to TopBiscuit]

You are definitely not argumentative -don't worry! When I read your post I decided to contact DVLA to ask for my AF notification to be withdrawn as AF is an arrhythmia which as you say doesn't need to be declared unless it affects one driving. I was worried that having declared AF, DVLA might automatically temporarily stop me from driving. Today though I received a reply from DVLA by post saying that on information received I was safe to continue driving etc-which was a great relief. I think if you have formally been diagnosed with AF (which I have been) but have not been advised to stop driving it is better to report it -in the event of an accident it would lesson an insurance company trying to wriggle out of payment etc. However as others have pointed out AF is an arrhythmia yet the actions to be taken are different !

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

No unless your pills say not to drive.

I have received my 75 year license. With a Drs Medical. Eye Sight test. I did not read what she said.

I actually had a test after the stroke and I got mark of 10 out of 10.

One question was had I had fainting or fitting.

AF controlled no problems.

Only if your Dr said not to drive does she write that in the medical.

It is the Travel Insurance that you need to admit AF, a stroke , heart attack etc.

cheri JOY. 74 (NZ)

[Ppiman]

We moved to Tesco car insurance this year and a post here got me worried as, at the time, I had read that I didn’t have to mention unless certain illness criteria were met such as blacking out, feeling faint and similar, which I never experience.

However, approaching 70 in August, I also had to renew my license and I did tell DVLC about it and my ablation, but have heard nothing since.

Steve