driving after tbi

[iluvroxnsky]

i want to apply for my provisional license so that i can ride a moped but i know i have to have extra test done because ive had a head injury does anyone know what these tests consist of thanks

[Hidden]

No idea, why must you, their rules? Written where? After WHAT severity of head injury? After a concussion? After stroke too? After mini-stroke (TIA) or other types of brain injury? After a week of binge-drinking = not necessary, why not? After having taken sleeping tablets or other medication that affects any part of body/brain used for driving? Must surgeons be re-examined after a head injury before operating again? How many of them (and otherdocs/nurses) are drunk or under the influence of drugs (often pharmaceutical ones) while on duty and caring for us, our lives in their hands?

Airline pilots (I think) must be tested: responsible for so many lives, must be alert and capable.

Where do we draw the line, who should/must be tested, for what substances/injuries and for what purpose?

Weigh up people's freedom to do X or use Y before what/when/who? How far must the state/others go to protect us, who is us, who is them...

All too complicated for me and pretty much everyone else!

[iluvroxnsky in reply to Hidden]

any one that's had a head injury has to declare it when applying

[Hidden in reply to iluvroxnsky]

Within what time-frame, in other words if head injury was how many years ago? And of wha severity or all? Depending on what problems caused by head injury? Use (silly) Glasgow Coma Scale? Or any head injury ever? Sorry to ask.

Must ask/tell after a broken leg, ankle foot? In case can't use pedals/brake safely? A sprain? What about bad neck, can't turn head well?

[Kirk5w7 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Muddled, I for one, know I would be a risk to others on the road. I choose not to drive even though I have been asked by doctors and consultants why I no longer drive.

I feel it is my duty to safeguard others on the road, by not driving.

It frightens me when I see others I would consider not safe to drive behind the wheel.

Drivers are in charge of a lethal weapon and owe it to others to be absolutely sure they are capable to handle that weapon safely otherwise there would be no need for driving tests.

Janet

[Hidden in reply to Kirk5w7]

I agree! I stopped driving after my ABI because was distracted by anything and everything. Asked GP if should stop he very noncommittal but I knew (luckily) that I wasn't totally capable.

I stopped for a while BUT I needed to drive because of my jerky walking (BADat start, very hard work, tiring, exhausting, still now, varies) and gradually taught myself to concentrate and do it better, relearn. Luckily I was older, an experienced driver, saw/felt the changes in myself (and kept trying to tell GPs/others) and wasn't so badly injured I could do this.

But I do think that those who want to and able to should be enabled to get back driving as soon as possible. I started to lose confidence and the longer that goes on the worse that gets and many too afraid to ever get back to it = loss of freedom and independence.

Interestingly I also lost my confidence driving when in hospital recently just before xmas, wasn't allowed out or to get my car so didn't drive for 6 days = long for me plus the feeling of being locked in, overtired, bad food/bed/sleep. It happens fast for me, got really stressed when allowed out to get car (plus fears will car start, will it be there/nicked or bits nicked off it, petrol... I fret about EVERYTHING now, awful plus the way to walk when if I go wrong get too tired plus it hurts to walk), I couldn't remember how to drive and was getting in a state (I get this with lots of things like climbing over a very low wall at start: couldn't think or control my body, diving into water), can't remember or think how to do it but when in car can do it fine. So hard to explain but makes me think of the brand which says 'just do it' = without trying to THINK before = coz I can't now but CAN DO. Very complicated but I can't be the only one like this.

[amateurwriter]

Hi pawlin,

I hope your successful with everything, I've been told I'm never going to be able to drive but that's because my eyes just move on their own accord or random pictures will flash up in front of my eyes add in the migraine's and I've been told no, but I hope that your successful

Take care,

Siobhan x

[cat3]

Hi Pawlin. I already had a licence when I had my injury. I had a brain haemorrhage at beginning of Dec.2011 and informed DVLA as soon as I was able. After being cleared to drive by my consultant four months later, I told DVLA and they were happy for me to recommence driving.

I don't know what the procedures are for first-time drivers but perhaps you could contact the Headway helpline for information. You can call them free Between 9am & 5pm, Mon-Fri on 0808 800 2244. Good luck.

[miracleman]

Hi pawlins82, Highway Code says:- "You MUST report to the DVLA any health condition likely to affect your driving." My advise is to consult a health professional, familiar with your condition and, ideally, driving after TBI. I would suggest contacting the DVLA direct, but that might be problematic if my experience is anything to go by! I am sure they will ask for a medical opinion, ideally a consultant, before they will commit to anything!

I had a TBI, was in a coma for 4 days, in hospital for 6 months, so my wife was more worried about whether I would live, than about my driving status! I was still insured, still had an MOT'd car, so when I decided I needed to unburden my wife from being the Taxi service for three boys 10+, I needed to go about getting back behind the wheel. This decision was made, just over a year after my accident; I wrote to the DVLA twice with no reply! I then decided to phone, and was met by barrage of "If you want 'X' call '1' type automatic messages! At the time my mental state was not up to this artillery, and it is a wonder the phone was not embedded in the wall! After months I finally got to speak to a REAL PERSON, what a relief. I explained the situation to her, and she said that considering the time I had been unconscious for, I would have to avoid driving for 6 months, and as I had not driven since, when they got a letter from my consultant, they would be happy for me to drive.

My bang on the head had affected the muscles in my eye, and had difficulty focusing, with double vision. I often chose to close an eye, and having difficulty reading at all. I was operated on, similar to the op' people have for squints, a couple of months before at Wolverhampton Eye Hospital, and that consultant replied positively when the DVLA wrote to him. My eldest son was having driving lessons, and I asked the instructor to accompany me on a drive, as I was slightly concerned, and my wife was considerably more than that! We went out for an hour and a half, and it was if I had never been away! He said in his professional opinion, all I needed was to spend more time behind the wheel! I was still in the Fire Service at the time, and also went out with a driving instructor, before I went out in the mini-bus sized Targeted Response Vehicle; not on operational jobs, never went to a 'shout' after my accident! .

Last thing I have to say is I consider myself a better driver post accident. More considerate, and far more aware of what the potential consequences of a mistake. All my wife moans at me now for is, driving to cautiously, and leaving too much gap between me and the car in front! I have driven on the wrong side of the road! In Portugal. Have driven groups of people in a large people carrier at work. I didn't play it 100% by the book, but it worked for me. Best of luck with your driving. x

[iluvroxnsky]

thanks everyone for your answers i only live a mile or so away from the dvla so i think i will have to go and try to speak to someone in person im not very good on the phone i would rather wait up there until my number is called than phone lol