Getting My Driving Licence Back!

[KanoT]

I am 86 - and I had a heart attack and a Pacemaker fitted just over 3 months ago.

I advised the DVLA who then revoked my driving licence saying "your symptoms are not yet satisfactorily controlled".

But they also said that they might consider a re-application when "your doctor is able to confirm that an underlying cause has been identified, and your symptoms are satisfactorily controlled for at least 4 weeks".

I now feel really fit again. and am exercising (walking a mile) every morning.

Anybody else with experience of dealing with the DVLA, or any advice on how to proceed? Would really appreciate any help and advice - Thanks!

[cowparsley]

I think,if it was me I`d see my GP and tell him you feel fit and ready to drive again.See if he/she can advise you.Best of luck.

[Eadaoin]

I have had a pacemaker for thirteen years. Am now 78. Three years ago I had to hand in my licence as facing a heart operation. This became an emergency sternotomy. When I had finally recovered I rang the DVLA and was was told that I needed confirmation by a doctor that I was fit to drive. (My application for the over 70 renewal was still current). My GP said she felt my Consultant should give me the go ahead although she had all the discharge information. I emailed him and he said I was fit to drive and to tell the DVLA to get in touch with him if they needed more information. I wrote a letter to the DVLA Medical Committee reporting this and I gave his details. My licence came through my letterbox three days later. I found DVLA staff very helpful and understanding on the ‘phone. Don’t give up. Good luck.

[Holiday12345]

I reapplied for my licence in March (had to hand it in and not drive for three months after two mini strokes in December last year. All documentation filled in and letter from consultant as required and 4 months later still waiting to hear and no means of being able to contact them. They have huge backlog yet say they are working on paper applications from April. If you are able to reapply for it online that is quicker but I think with the medical side it has to be paper. I would try phoning them to ask quickest way to proceed if you can get through.

[Visitingcat]

My husband has had to reapply for his license due to coming up to seventy and had to do it by letter with a signed photo as we have no passports. Sent it 15th June and had nothing back.I read an article in the Guardian saying they have awful backlogs, they had a bad Covid outbreak and have been in industrial action because of working conditions.Unfortunately the article said the worst affected are people trying to get their licence back after stopping it for medical reasons. People were trying to phone and cannot even get through. We had a question when filling the form in and could not get through, just tells you to phone back later and cuts you off.

If you can apply online your license can arrive within a week.

I sent it special delivery, kept a screenshot of the confirmed delivery and copied everything I sent as apparently he can still drive if he can prove it’s been applied for if it’s not back in time and I’m pretty sure it won’t be. I think this may only apply to the over seventies though.

Sorry, the way it is I’d get onto it as soon as possible, I wish you the best of luck with it and hope you get dealt with sooner rather than later.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi my icd fired and I had to return my license to the dvla, they in turn sent me a letter for my consultant to fill after the six months if I was fit to drive, he done this and they duly posted my licence back to me, in the end it took 7 months which I found really hard so I know how you feel without it char