return of driving license

[chrissycornwall]

Hello

I've just received a letter from DVLA after making a complaint about how long the process is taking. So the have had a CRAN3B from the hospital consultant and a NERO2 from my GP. Now I have to have a driving assessment, now it is saying in this letter, it may be of assistance if I clarify what i. s happening in my particular case. Does that mean they need me to ask my consultant for a letter to say what is happening with me? can anyone help? thanks x

[Kirk5w7]

I think, and I may be being naive here, that they just want you to be honest about how your brain injury affects you,

They have the medical reports from consultant and GP but they cannot say how it will affect your driving, that is why they would like a driving assessment done.

I no longer drive not because I can’t, but because I would not be safe. Both my consultant and GP say that I would be fine, but I know I wouldn’t be. My reactions are much slower now and I have some peripheral vision loss which unnerves me.

Everyone is different, the medical responses will be a “should be fine” kind of response but they are not driving examiners and the DVLA has a responsibility to all road users.

Hope you get this sorted satisfactorily

Janet

[Froggiefrog in reply to Kirk5w7]

As always, a considered and honest response. Heartening to read a gentle reminder that a desire to do something should not over-ride the safety of the person concerned or those who could be affected. The phrase 'rights and responsibilities' is so often focused on the first of these aspects, but they are combined for a reason, a reason that can sometimes be overlooked.

[katndog75 in reply to Froggiefrog]

As an ex-driving instructor it warms my heart to see such a sensible and measured response. We always used to impress on students that driving is not a right, it's a privilege! You are being put in charge of 2 tonnes of metal, hurtling past other people at insane speeds which can seriously injure or kill them when it goes wrong.

I'm sure no one on this forum would wish a head injury on anyone else! Yes, the process is insanely slow (we're going through it at the moment) and frustrating but the DVLA are only trying to keep other people safe.

[Froggiefrog in reply to katndog75]

In many ways, I can understand people's frustration. I believe it is significantly fuelled by ' advocates', whose philosophy is based solely on notions of 'equality', without any regard for the potential impact of their obsession.

I feel the sense of 'entitlement' some feel when it comes to driving is selective, as I am sure nobody would want either they or their love ones to be put at risk by cars being driven by people on whom tests were not rigorous as they might be, purely because such scrutiny had been sacrificed in the name of political correctness.

As someone, like everyone, who could be potentially affected by people driving who shouldn't, I make no apology for hoping that rules and processes remain strict and erring on the side of safety and caution. Some may not like it, but my entitlement to feel safe is one I can assure you I am every bit as passionate about as those who feel getting permission to drive when they affected by brain injury are.

[pinkvision]

Hi Chrissy, just book a driving assessment, tell your GP, don't bother with the DVLA other than to tell them what you are doing. Once you have done the assessment 'and passed' your GP gets a copy. Then it is up to the GP and yourself to inform the DVLA. Your GP is the one that actually makes the decision on whether you can drive or not. I've been through this and I kept getting all these letters wanting information all the time. I sent all the information but it made no difference. All you need is the assessment and your GP's go ahead, then inform the DVLA, your GP will send all the medical information at that time. It is not a quick process so don't plan to drive soon.

[chrissycornwall in reply to pinkvision]

HI

I could do this but the DVLA have my license.x

[pinkvision in reply to chrissycornwall]

At the test assessment they phone the DVLA to confirm that you're registered with a licence, they will pass the phone to you to confirm who you are with a few questions. You won't get it back until you have passed and the GP ok's it.

[keeley24]

I had to go through this and honestly the DVLA are stupid. I understand all the checks and stuff they have to do is to make sure everyone with a driving license is actually safe to drive, but they do it so slowly and wrong way round.

For me I informed them of my brain injury told them whatever needed. It is over 5 years back so don’t remember details. They first said I needed to pass an eyesight test which I did so I was allowed to carry on driving which I did with no problems. Then they decided I had to have a driving assessment to check if I was safe to drive. Now to me that doesn’t make sense if someone needs to have a driving assessment to see if they are safe to drive this should surely be done BEFORE they can drive again incase they can’t drive safely. Well I was able to carry on driving until the assessment which was in a car I wasn’t used to in an area I’d never even been to let alone drove. So I made a few mistakes so then and only then had to stop driving. Had a few refresher lessons and passed the second assessment so could drive again.

Good luck for your assessment and unfortunately don’t expect to be driving anytime soon as even once you pass assessment you have to wait a few week for the DVLA to send your license back to you.