ICD and driving - how long to be able to drive again?

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, I am currently suspended from driving following a syncope event brought on by an as yet undetermined single ventricular tachycardia event. Investigations as to type and cause still happening.Whatever I am being advised I will have an ICD fitted. What are your real world experiences on how long it takes to be allowed to drive from having the implant? I have looked back for info but the threads don't seem simple or specific. I hope this question is and not a long piece of string!😀

I'm trying to maintain a sense of humour on what has been a bit of a left field shock.

[Lezzers]

My understanding is, if you're having the ICD implanted because of a medical event then it's 6 months no driving but if it's being implanted as a precaution then it's usually a one month no driving. However, as your licence has already been suspended the DVLA will decided if the no driving needs to start again from when your ICD is implanted. If your ICD shocks you at anytime or if you have an 'event' then it's a rolling 6 months no driving. My husband had a VT storm at the end of January last year and was told not to drive for 6 months, then his ICD shocked him twice in April so the 6 months started again. Hope that makes sense!

[Etzel]

I'm with Lezzers, if you have an event you need to be 6 months clear. When you get to 5 months start pushing the paperwork with your consultant and DVLA, I was out for 10 months due to them not advising I was clear then losing all the forms.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Etzel]

Thank you for your response, how recent was your experience? I was wondering if the fitting of the ICD made a difference as opposed to having a VT event and treatment say ablation and being event free for 6 months. ie the ICD was an override? There is no official guidance that says 6 months which is why I'm asking for real world. But 2/2 perhaps says how the DVLA actually interpret.

[Etzel in reply to Chinkoflight]

That was exactly a year ago, hard to compare as my event was VT requiring a defib hit in A&E. After reporting to the DVLA I got a pack with the full do, don't, when to expect to drive list. The fact that you haven't had that means they might settle for the 1 month suspension and call it a precautionary install.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Etzel]

That's really helpful. I am still in a chaotic hospital where it's a long wait for things to happen . Too much time to think about what to do!

[SaxoBill]

I had ICD last Feb as preventative measure. Initially DVLA said 6 months. I went back to cardiologist and they said DVLA wrong. Wrote me a letter and they changed their position. Unfortunately he said the DVLA often make this initial decision

[Chinkoflight in reply to SaxoBill]

Thanks that's really helpful. I've had a hospital explanation today. If the device is fitted before a VT event then as you say, but because I've had one VT event leading to the implant that's where the hospital 6month disclaimer comes in! I l do know there is recent research accumulating on risk after ICD which is looking favourable for lower risk assessment levels. BUT I wouldn't want to cause an accident so I'm not trying to drive at all cost!!!

[BeeBee79]

The biggest thing is whether you volunteer your own licence OR allow thr DVLA to revoke as the matter takes forever to get back. You can start the ball rolling after 4 months if you surrendered and be back in the drivers seat at 6. It goes by much quicker than you think

[Chinkoflight in reply to BeeBee79]

That's the sort of advice I've been looking to get in terms of practical experience. There are clearly pros and cons but above all I want to be safe for me and of course other innocents.

[BeeBee79 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Meant to say “latter” instead of “matter”.

[FrankWillbe]

Mine is preventative, however I thought it best to check with my insurance company, rather than just the DVLA.They would not provide cover until I was medically cleared, which my consultant would not do until the ICD check. This is usually about 6-8 weeks after the implant.

Mine was nearer 10 weeks. The wires had taken and all the checks were good. So cleared to drive.

[Chinkoflight in reply to FrankWillbe]

That's really good to hear. I think there might be difference between preventative before a VT event is logged or after. I have an ILR an implanted ECG so it removed any uncertainty in diagnosis! I'm just glad to be alive. Take care.

[Alison_L]

Hi Chinko. I had a heart attack 6 years ago, followed by a bout of VT which led to me being given an ICD as a precaution. I was 2 weeks short of my 57th birthday (lovely present!). My licence was automatically revoked for 6 months, and it took another 3 months to get a new one. Other people told me I could drive in that 3 months, but DVLA never confirmed it, and my insurance company were dubious, so I didn't.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Alison_L]

Hi Alison, that's really helpful to know. As above replies, it's firming up that the criteria changes if a VT event precedes and prompts the fitting of the ICD. I assume monitoring has been clear of further VT shocks?

[Alison_L in reply to Chinkoflight]

I think that's right, it's the reason for the ICD being fitted that affects your licence. As others say, they were only told net to drive for 1 or 2 months, but they had different reasons for being given the device. Fortunately, mine hasn't needed to shock me and, apart from a small amount of pacing, has lain there quietly, so the battery is still good for another 5 years.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Alison_L]

That's so good to hear. As all the diagnostics come in, I'm getting good news on the fundamentals, cardiovascular, helped by my starting to run after a cryptogenic stroke two years ago. Not so cryptogenic now! That's reassuring too that there is a possibility of getting through the 6 month ban without more time being added! Keep on going Alison!😊

[Alison_L in reply to Chinkoflight]

Yes, they got all my medications right and prevented any further VT. Once the meds are settled, you can start tweaking them if necessary where you're getting side effects (ie changing to different types of a particular med - in my case from Ramipril to Candesartan, and Bisoprolol to Carvedilol) without upsetting your heart. Good luck with yours xx

[Pottherb13]

I was told 1 month, be aware that you are legally required to inform the DVLA, this shouldn't make any difference to your driving licence it's just that they need to know.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Pottherb13]

Hi thank you for the helpful reply. There clearly is a difference in interpretation and I think it centres on a VT confirmed event happening that leads to the ICD and then a 6 month 'ban'.

[Hidden]

I was told 6 months but I argued that my ICD was preventative after having a cardiac arrest a few days after an ablation which there is no explanation for, I got my licence back minus a few groups after 3 months followed by a letter from Dvla agreeing that my ICD has been fitted as a prophylactic (their word not mine)

[Chinkoflight in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the very helpful reply. I surrendered my licence because I heard it made it easier and often quicker to get it back. There was mixed advice from the team managing me. I shall apply early in the hope I can sneak a few days. My event was 27th Jan but ICD wasn't fitted until 12th March which started the clock running.