Driving Licence

[Football2023]

hi I was wondering if any that hax been diagnosed with AF has told the DVLA and what if any outcome there was from it ? 

do you need to tell car insurance provider aswell?

Thanks

[Douglas91]

my husband has a/f his consultant said if he didn’t black out or have disabling symptoms then he’d be ok to drive. My husband’s a/f is paroxysmal so he doesn’t have it all the time. I think it’s all about being able to control a vehicle safely. Car is a little less strict than if you drive a bus or lorry. In any case I’d let DVLA advise. I don’t think they’ll take your licence off you if it doesn’t affect your ability to drive safely but it’s wise to check. Good luck

[Football2023 in reply to Douglas91]

yeah I have never had any black out episodes or dizziness and can contro The car safely Thanks

[Threecats]

Hi

The link below is to the DVLA advice on driving with arrhythmia. It seems they only want to know if symptoms may be a distraction or interfere with your driving. As Douglas91 says, the rules are more stringent for lorry and bus drivers.

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

[Football2023 in reply to Threecats]

thanks I will check it out

[Hidden]

From the DVLA site

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.

So if you are unsure whether you qualify or not given the above, I suggest you talk to your GP to get clarification.

And I also suggest you talk to your car insurer, or at least look at your policy, to find out if they need to be told of your condition.

[Football2023 in reply to Hidden]

thanks I will ask my GP later this month when I have an appointment with him, it does affect me driving and even when I have had some fluttering whilst driving felt completely in control

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

With insurance the safest thing is to tell them via email so there is a record as they will do anything and everything to avoid paying. I had an agreed value classic car policy and when the car was stolen they offered less than the signed agreed valuation. Total bar stewards. When I had my amputation I told them when I had exceeded the 60 nights away on the Ts and Cs. They just cancelled my buildings and contents leaving me uninsured!

[Football2023 in reply to MichaelJH]

yeah I agree best to tell them inguess

[MrsSuzuki]

My husband was an HGV driver. When he got AF he informed DVLA because it is a notifiable illness but they said they had needed to be informed, but they didn't need to do anything about it. So he could still drive an HGV.

Unfortunately he had a TIA a while later and they revoked his HGV licence straight away.

Lily

[Football2023 in reply to MrsSuzuki]

thanks for your response sorry to hear about your husbands aTIA hope he’s ok.

[MrsSuzuki in reply to Football2023]

Yes thank you he is.

Lily

[Football2023 in reply to MrsSuzuki]

good stuff

[AnnD_]

I had a similar dilemma as I get ectopic heartbeats.

The DVLA website says to notify if you have palpitations.

The anxiety caused by worrying about whether to notify or not was worse than the outcome. The DVLA website information is not black no white but it is down to you as the driver to notify.

There is a question on the form which I found confusing, unless they have changed it, that asks if you have any symptoms that affect safe driving. They give examples one of which is palpitations!

But if you've been told that by your GP/consultant your symptoms don't affect your ability to drive safely, then tick no.

In any case they will get in touch with your consultant to get a report from them.

It does take time but you can continue to drive while the DVLA conduct their investigations as long as you've been told by your GP/consultant that you are safe to drive.

I got a letter a few months later clearing me to drive.

I did tell my insurance company but they said they don't ask health questions and as long as you've notified the DVLA then I would be covered.

The BHF nurses on the helpline were very helpful.

[Football2023 in reply to AnnD_]

thanks for your response really helpful