Driving

[Lilyblossom29]

I was stopped from driving due to my dizzy spells.which was from time I had heart attack 20th sep .change of tablets no more dizziness but dvla have taken this from 1st dec now say I cant drive for 6 months that will make it 9 months altogether. This seems very unfair to me .as I took on allotment in sep got it all ready for spring it's in village no buses so if I cant drive I will have to give up

[Etzel]

I'm having a similar problem with my ICD, implanted late Jan but the ban started from mid Feb. Aug appointment I get told not sure we can approve the licence return due to waiting on valve surgery, late Oct I get an unrelated appointment and notice a letter on my account (not mailed, no SMS alert) saying i'm OK to drive.

It gets worse, fill in the forms for the consultant and the hospital has now lost them, definitely arrived, many many phone calls to multiple depts and now they just ignore me.

Just today i'm filling in replacement forms, going to try and hand deliver but even if I succeed i'm due surgery in Jan so will have gone a full year by the time it returns.

My only advice is get your DVLA re-application in early, they were very good and advised that scanning onto the system takes approx 3 weeks, ditto with the approval from the consultant, pre-fill the forms and hand them over in person, see if they will sign them on the day.

Good luck, we will both get there, eventually....... 😀

[Lilyblossom29 in reply to Etzel]

Hope so good luck for jan

[benjijen]

Maybe a taxi once a week in the meantime? Or if too far then take a bus as near to allotment as you can (free bus pass?) Taxi from there. Bit of messing about but once a week wouldn't be too bad and better than losing the allotment. Good luck.

[Lilyblossom29 in reply to benjijen]

No buses near there to far to walk taxi would cost 30.00 there n 30 back

[benjijen in reply to Lilyblossom29]

Maybe someone can keep it clear for you until you can drive again

[Stumpy47]

I know how frustrating it is not being able to drive, it was 6months with DVLA in consultation with my cardio before I got mine back. I had to rely on other folk to run me around. Best wishes with the allotment.

[Yogi1950s]

I have some sympathy with your predicament however driving is not a "God given right" and if, as your other post states, you are still having dizzy spells due to medications not suiting you you simply must not drive and shouldn't consider driving what is , effectively, a lethal weapon. Have you tried contacting the allotment association committee to see whether there is another allotment holder or holders nearby that you could lift share with until you feel better and get your licence back?

Rather than focusing on the "problem" try looking for a solution. Life doesn't look quite so bad when looked at as an opportunity rather than a series of struggles.

[Lilyblossom29]

I am not driving have not for 3 months I'm not getting dizzy anymore since change of meds. I would never even think about driving if I was dizzy

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You can use use an electric bike on the road without a licence. And you will get some exercise. You will need somewhere on site to keep your large garden tools. Small tools can be carried as well as most other stuff. That's what I did before I gave up my allotment earlier this year.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I hated it when my ICD fired in the April and I had to give up my license for six months, I took the letter from the DVLA to my consultant in the September and I assume he must have sent them back as soon as he could to them. My license was returned mid November. It was a few years ago maybe they were quicker then.I made good use of my free bus pass but I was so glad to be able to drive again. Char

[Lilyblossom29 in reply to Thanksnhs]

I'm having to use my bus pass to get about but no buses to allotment so wait n see what to do next

[Thanksnhs in reply to Lilyblossom29]

The bus services here have been cut so badly even the hospital service didn't escape and I just read about another two routes being chopped in April. I live in a small town never mind what's happening to the rural services. Thankfully to get further afield we have a brilliant and very busy train service. I do hope you can get something sorted out for the allotment char