Driving/DVLA and PP

[Mudgette]

Basically to cut a long story short I had pp in 2016 - didn’t drive for the recommended 3 months after coming out of psychosis as mandated by DVLA. However, they then made me renew my licence year on year from 2016…anyone else had this? I feel this is highly unfair as I’m only likely to have another episode of psychosis if I give birth at which time I can notify the DVLA? Please let me know whether you also have had to have a yearly licence issued and certified by your GP/give DVLA access to all medical records year on year. Thanks. X

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Mudgette,

I'm so sorry you've been having to do this on an annual basis since you experienced PP. I know from previous posts on this topic that people have had different experiences when it comes to the DVLA and reinstatement of full driving licences, it’s incredibly frustrating.

I waited about 6 months to hear back about my licence after notifying the DVLA of my PP. I was then issued a 1-year licence, followed by another 1-year licence, then a 3-year licence, then back to a full 10-year one. I remember it was all pretty frustrating and took a while to hear each time a review took place…

There is some information on the Mind website here: mind.org.uk/information-sup...

There’s also a fact sheet on the Rethink Mental Illness website that has some contact details towards the end which may be helpful in contacting the DVLA / challenging their decisions: rethink.org/advice-and-info...

It may also be worth a discussion with your GP – it seems a bit odd that 6/7 years on you are still only being issued with a 1-year licence so don't be afraid to challenge it!

I hope the above information helps a bit.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[YellowBanana09]

hi mudgette,

Same as Jenny I’ve had two one year licences and now a three year one.

Very frustrating for you !

Xx

[Skyblue7]

dear

yes they made me do this absolutely fuming the t eh doctors said didn’t need to was told by mental health unit. diagnosed me wrong. dvla told now on 3 year dvla drive not happy always be on it. least i can still drive tho.

[Naomi_at_app Volunteer]

Hi Mudgette - it does seem to be really difficult to persuade the DVLA that you don't need a yearly renewal of your license on medical grounds once you're in the system! I had PP in 2005 and 2011, with a subsequent diagnosis of bipolar disorder. I'm now 8 years from my last contact with mental health services and still doing the form every year! I have a new GP who doesn't know me, and has been asked to fill in this year's medical report (!) so has arranged a face-to-face appointment with me. I'm talking to them next Friday and will ask if there's anything that can be written in the report to recommend ending the 1-year renewal. I'll let you know if I have any success! N

[Beckles30]

Hi

I had PP myself in the same year as you, 2016. I have the same issue and once I got licence back it was issued had for year 1yr each time for first 3 years I think and then 2 years and reviewed again Last year and I was issued 2 year licence again. I had terrible depression immediately after the psychosis so I guessed that was part of the reason why and my depression then continued and I still suffer now although it is very different and caused by my circumstances.

I’ve never looked into it, maybe I should too!

Becky xx