Driving

[ChessRe3]

Glad to say seem to be recovering from 2 Valve Repairs and a Bypass and got post op review this Month. I emailed DVLA to tell them what I had done. Heard nothing back. Does anyone know how that all works with the DVLA as Im hoping to drive again in December. Also do you inform your Insurance Company and does it affect your Premium.

[Hidden]

hi I called DVLA as the online gov.uk site for DVLA indicated on the list of conditions I needed to contact them for mine. Then they send you a form to complete which needs returning in the timescale set. Then they do their assessment / get records etc and then you wait and wait. Sent in my form sometime in august but I know it takes them a few months. I will be surprised if they come back to me before Christmas.

I think I have told my insurance company at renewal as I haven’t been driving - DVLA said it was up to me while they make decision.

It’s probably best to declare than not, then you have peace of mind. But mine was a must tell DVLA type condition.

Good starting point

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

Good luck

[Hidden]

Hi, Probably unlikely you'll hear anything back from the DVLA as neither Valve or Bypass Surgery is notifiable if you're driving a car. However, if you drive a bus, lorry or coach you need to complete form VOCH1 and sent it to the DVLA.

See attached.

gov.uk/coronary-artery-bypa...

gov.uk/valve-disease-and-dr...

[Yogi1950s]

Hi ChessRe3

Re DVLA, as already advised by others , they are a law unto themselves with a time system quite unlike anything else in the known universe. Their postal system is often likened to a black hole - lots goes in but very little gets out!!! Which Christmas are you hoping to be driving for, 2023 is extremely unlikely, but good luck.

Re insurance company - You must advise your insurance company of ANYTHING which MAY affect your ability to drive, ANYTHING which MAY affect your health and ANYTHING which MAY affect whether they are willing to give you cover. It is then up to them as to whether it will cost you. If you don't, and if you then need to claim for yourself or a third party needs to claim against you, they are at liberty to say that because you hadn't told them then you were uninsured and the bill (s) fall firmly on your shoulders. Also the local Constabulary will be informed and will undoubtedly prosecute you for driving whilst uninsured etc etc. Put simply - YES YOU MUST.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

Yogi

[MountainGoat52]

My insurance company just wanted my GP to see me and give me the thumbs up. Bizarre as the GP I had the consultation with was not my usual GP and she had never met me before. In her defence she did ask me about my exercise regime and my physical appearance was hardly jaded. This was 3 months post-op and I was capable of walking 10 miles non-stop.

[Survivor1952]

For a bypass(CABG), angioplasy (PCI) and/or replacement valve (AVR) there is no need to tell DVLA unless you hold an LGV or PSV licence (see leaflet INF188/4 - gov.uk/government/publicati.... It is different if you have had a pacemaker or ICD fitted.

As for insurance that will vary from company to company and you need to read your policy carefully. Mine specifically says I do NOT need to inform them unless the illness is one that is notifiable to the DVLA.

I was back driving at 8 weeks post op with no issues although I had tried at 6 weeks (on private land) and whilst I could drive I didn't feel confident about reacting to the actions of others.