Hello,
I reported cmt 1a to dvla. My neurologist and rehabilitation consultsnt confirmed I am fit to drive manual cars but the dvla still want me to do a driving appraisal.
I have been driving for 10 years and only now reporting this to dvla as I was not aware I was obliged to do so.
Has anyone got any experience with the driving appraisal or a situation like this ?
Thanks everyone.
I reported being CMT type 1a about 10 years ago and the DVLA didn't seem concerned. Just put me on 3 year licences, for which my GP has to sign a form to renew each time.
Thanks for responding. I hope its just a new procedure DVLA have or a mistake. Lucky for me both my consultants are very supportive of my driving and are happy to support me.
Hiya yes I have CMT 1a and have to do a medical questionnaire every 3 years despite being able to drive a manual car. I've just had my papers and it depresses me every time. At least it doesn't cost any money. I've been driving for 20 odd years. It's an odd one because my neurologist says there's absolutely no issue but DVLA still only give me a 3 yearly licence.
I have been waiting over a year now to get it sorted but everything is on hold untill after covid they said. I hope I only need to do this driving test once.
Are you able to drive in the mean time?
Yes, my "normal" 10 year DL still valid and they have not told me to stop driving
That's something then! Hopefully people here have helped put your mind at rest? All the best with it 
Thank you, everyone here has been really great help.
Hi. The DVLA insisted I take a driving assessment regardless. They told me at the test centre that they do not get told the medical reason for the referral. It’s not a re-test as such, just an assessment to check you can use the controls and mirrors and follow signs and simple instructions. I have to renew every three years but I think that will just be a case of making a declaration about my ability and whether anything’s changed.
Can I ask how many times they have made you do the assessment ?, and what your experience was like ?. I am quite nervous about it and dont want to make any mistakes and make things worse for myself.
Just when I first notified them and strangely I quite enjoyed it! Don’t think of it as a test. They are just checking that your condition doesn’t adversely affect your ability to drive.
Thanks for getting back, I will just relax and do my best. Been driving for years with no problem so will just drive on my best behaviour.
Hi, Signaller,
I am surprised the DVLA is requiring you to have a medical driving assessment in spite of the fact that your neurologist and rehabilitation consultant have confirmed you are fit to drive a manual car.
I was advised by a physiotherapist to have a medical driving assessment - voluntarily - about a year after my CMT diagnosis. The assessment can take about 4 hours. It is not scary. In my case at least the assessor was looking at the situation from a practical and constructive point of view. They are not out to get you banned or to trick you.
It starts off with a surprise "can you read that number plate up there" (if you can't then the test goes no further), then there are questions and a brief cognitive test . This is followed by a check of limb strength. Then a test using a pretend car -a sort of frame with seat, steering wheel, brake and accelerator. Instead of a windscreen there are bars with red lights. You accelerate - and as soon as one of the lights comes on you brake. It is to test the speed of your reactions, also strength of pressure.
Then, assuming all went OK, you get to drive a real car. Not yours, so allowances are made for unfamiliarity. You go round the grounds of the centre before going out on a real road.
In my case I was not considered fit to drive a manual any more, so after a brief run had to change to the centre's automatic. I was told to use my R foot to accelerate, and my left foot for braking because of my poor proprioception . Of course I made mistakes - trying to change gear with the brake - but that was forgiven.
I was advised to change to an automatic very soon, and have lessons in using it . I was also advised I needed light steering a light brake, and finger-operated electric handbrake. Not being eligible for Motability I had to do all my own research, which was a huge challenge.
I very soon got used to left foot braking.
Eight years later I had a subsequent test , requested by my neurologist, to see if I need hand controls . Fortunately I don't - yet.
I don't think you can self-refer any more
The purpose of the test is to determine, if you have physical limitations, how you can keep on driving safely.
I suspect you are a lot younger than I am and will not have the difficulties I faced.
Hi Amanita,
Thanks for your information, it is really helpful.
Both my consultants have written back to dvla saying there may be some mistake as I am fortunate enough to be not very affected by cmt, I am 29 so it has not progressed very far yet.
I think dvla could be being extra careful these days after the glasgow bin lorry crash perhaps, so they want to take no chances.
What ever they decide, I hope it doesnt drag out too long.
Glad you found my reply helpful, Signaller,
I can add a footnote about the DVLA, which is tangentially relevant to your situation. I have a 3-year licence and so have to keep renewing it. The DVLA Drivers' Medical Group is notoriously slow and like other people I found myself without a valid licence ( in spite of my having sent it off in very good time, it expired while it waited in a queue in Cardiff).
In this situation you are allowed to continue diving with an expired licence - but only if your GP or consultant says you are medically fit to do so. Both my GP and neurologist said separately and emphatically it was the DVLA's job to determine drivers' fitness, not theirs, and while sympathetic would not do so.
My new licence arrived a fortnight after my previous one expired, but waiting and not knowing and being unable to plan anything ( I live alone and depend heavily on driving) was horrible. Others have to wait a lot longer, so I was "lucky".
So I am surprised and very pleased for you that your consultants are prepared to say you are safe to drive. It is great that they have both written. Of course I hope you will avoid entanglements with the DVLA. I have found it monolithic, inflexible, slow and infuriating.
You are young, so I hope you will not have too much bother from your CMT for a very long time, and that you will have many years of safe driving ahead of you.
I self referred for a driving assessment and despite the emotional side of things at the time it was the best thing I could ever have done. I too have 1a and been driving for 35 years. I described my condition and I was not even assessed. Instead I drove a modified automatic with Jeff Gosling hand controls with tetra steering control.A year on it is fantastic and hopefully future proofed my driving. I am proud of learning a new skill and being a safe and legal driver.
No one knows you are driving with hand controls.
I was happy to drive a manual all that time but as CMT is progressive no one should be complacent and I wished I had taken this step years ago.
UPDATE.
Hello everyone.
Just received an invitation to accept a 3 year medical licence with no restrictions. No need to to the appraisal after all.
My consultants letter to the DVLA must have worked.
Thanks to everyone for putting my mind at rest.
Happy safe driving !
That's great to hear.
Hooray!
Hi
this is totally standard procedure, I only found out about it from CMT UK website. CMT is a condition you have to declare for a health restricted driving licence. If you do not your driving licence is subject to withdrawal a fine and it invalidates your insurance. Your consultant is very clued up. Due to equality laws your insurance will not increase as stated by insurer Direct line.When I first declared my CMT type 1a to the DVLA , I had to fill out a medical form and then get a signed declaration from my GP and send it back.
Then to renew my three year licence ( last year) the DVLA now insist on a medical assessment carried out by your GP. This very simple as it is basically a look over to check your hands and feet. How you walk and a few cognitive questions ( memory test).
Nothing to much to worry about. Do insist on collecting all paperwork and posting yourself insured post.
We can get through this 
Possibly CMT - continued
Information requested ?
Chris's blog....... more updates march 17th