Driving

[SirRobert]

I do hope that I’ll be able to help others on this forum, even just with a few encouraging words. As a new member I do feel it’s welcoming and supportive.

I was diagnosed with Ascites in Feb this year. The doctor sent me home with lactose (just explaining was for constipation) and an appointment was booked for 23rd June (next week as transpires!).

After a trip to A&E they booked in a scan. The scan diagnosed cirrhosis (this was in April). In asking for my results, the GP (only seen a couple of times over the years as don’t see same one anymore!) said I had to stop driving due to cirrhosis diagnosis and advise DVLA.

I started to feel ill and eventually hospitalised in May, with jaundice, pneumonia and Ascites). Whilst in hospital they gave me a few doses of Librium (in the main I believe this to calm me down to all procedures, however does say withdrawal in discharge papers - I am pretty sure though this was due to the uncertainty of what was going on not withdrawal).

The DVLA form has arrived to fill in and states anyone with alcohol dependency cannot drive for one year. I have never drink driven and I do not drink now. Feels like everything being swept from under me and my freedom potentially based on someone I’ve spoken to for a total of 10 mins.

Sorry for lengthy post, feeling doubly down.

[RugbyMama]

When did you stop drinking?

If the DVLA are revoking based on your medical records that state withdrawal and this is completely incorrect, you would likely need to speak to PALS.

If you were drinking at the time, then you would have a harder time appealing this with the DVLA. A healthy liver can process 1 unit of alcohol per hour. It could take a damaged liver longer to process the same amount, and its a reasonable assumption that someone who drank the night before, could still be above the legal limit the following morning even if they felt OK.

[DaveQ67]

I have just had my licence returned. After 2 years.

Only the police and the GP can tell you to contact the DVLA. Cirrhosis is NOT DVLA reportable.

Alcohol dependence however is. If your doctor has declared you alcohol dependent your licence will be revoked for 12 months. You must show abstinence for 12 months and get blood tests to prove this.

My Gp declared me having alcohol misuse which is usually 6 month ban. But I served 12.

I then got diagnosed with cirrhosis on month 11. They said I must serve a further 12 months as it would appear I have been drinking.

Don’t appeal it. You’re wasting your time. The DVLA made a mistake with mine and I still wasn’t successful in court.

I lost my job due to this, put pressure on my marriage which ended, was used against me to insinuate I was drinking by my wife and was stopped seeing my kids. Ended up and still am homeless.

There is a flaw in the whole system, I deeply sympathise with your situation. Like you I didn’t drink drive, never been charged. I admitted I had a problem and seeked help of my own back and within 2 months lost everything.

I hope you have a better outcome from me, sorry to provide a pretty dull picture. I think the best you can do is date the last time your GP has recorded of you drinking and hopefully it’s time spent which will cut down your suspension

[Kingbilly3]

I never informed the dvla at all, I had never drunk driven or been a risk infact I never new you would have to inform them, I was diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis march 23 but in October 22 I went to ae cos of the size of my stomach and I was sent home and told to buy a bottle of sasparella pop cos they thought it was wind!!! Never worked as it was start of ascites which did go by it self December then returned in march when I was diagnosed, am 15 month sober now so had I been driving illegally for a year?

[scampi2122 in reply to Kingbilly3]

I think you are fine, if you had a problem with alcohol and yr GP didn't report it, you have had a lucky escape! Just make sure you never tick the box when you apply for yr license that mentions 'alcoholism' or something like that.

I made that mistake as I was being honest and got myself put in the DVLA system. . My GP didn't report. Well done on yr sobriety, that's 🤩

[Kingbilly3 in reply to scampi2122]

Aw Thankyou and I wish you well

[scampi2122]

Firstly well done on stopping drinking. The DVLA has these rules and GPs are required to report alcohol dependency.

If you received a detox (librium). You will be unable to get your license back for 1 year. The license will then only be issued for a year and you will have to do a medical and blood test each year.

I am on my 4th year of doing this, despite not touching a drink for over 4 years. They treat it as a medical condition and this is how they assess your fitness to drive. The blood test and examination are at GP surgeries advised by DVLA and they pay for the tests. Once in the system there is no way out, I have found.

Currently I am still awaiting the return of my driving license from blood tests I did in mid April, although I do have a Section 88 allowing me to continue driving.

I would be surprised if a hospital gave you librium to calm you down. They usually prescribe it to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. I do sympathise with your situation, but acceptance of it is the best way I have found to deal with it. The DVLA is inflexible on this, my GP tried for me, but had no joy.

[Harriet-sarah]

i told the DVLA zbd they said my bloods were not strong enough, also be aware that if the have you DEPENDANT on alcohol you must be abstain for life, i argued this saying what if i have a lapse which most do, they said i shouldnt drive EVER Even though i would never dream of getting behind a wheel if i did have a lapse. I told them how is it that they have control what i do in my spare time, and its not even illegal! But it fell on deaf ears, i said they were treating me like a criminal, and ive never had any accidents or fines that were drink related. And said but they were happy to give licence back if someone was caught drink driving after a 6 month 1 year ban? And they said they difference being some of those people might not be classed as dependant. It’s ridiculous, and not fair they told me to try again next year. It’s put my life on hold again, as I thought I’d be back driving by now, I live in the middle of nowhere and socially isolated there rant over!

[SirRobert in reply to Harriet-sarah]

Rant away! Very stressful. Try again with what difference?

[Harriet-sarah in reply to SirRobert]

My bloods will be stronger, as platlets are too low and she even said that evidence show alcoholics usually lapse after a year anyway as alcoholism is brought on my mental health issues!