Driving

[LewisThomas]

Should you be driving with PCS

( post concussion syndrome)

Is it legal to drive. I’m a driving instructor really struggling to do my job mentally & physicals with pcs.

Has anyone been through this.

[khathe]

I have persistent post concussion syndrome. I also have BPPV as a result of my accident. I have no problems driving, and did not have to report anything to the DVLA, however the fatigue and memory problems has left me unable to work. I’ve been refused PIP good luck with everything it’s a mine field!

[PointOfFact in reply to khathe]

Are you able to detail the PIP process and why you were refused?

[Leaf100]

I was recommended not to drive for about 2 weeks at the beginning of the injury, but more because of physical symptoms.

From what I understand having a concussion does not automatically exclude you from driving.

And, they also assume you have the ability to not do it if you don't feel up to it.

This is not the case if driving is your job.

I know here there are lawyers who specialize in dealing with brain injury and will do free consultations. Some of them are human and will advise of some pitfalls and recommend docs to see, even you aren't one of their cases. I found by looking for 'brain injury lawyer' and then the name of where I live. Some will help without obligation and some want a case. You may have to try more than one.

Leaf

[LewisThomas in reply to Leaf100]

Cheers for that

[LewisThomas in reply to Leaf100]

Cheers for your advice again

[john-boy-92]

If your concerned about your ability, you could have an assessment at a Disability Assessment Centre. As an example, for people who've had a stroke, they can electronically time your braking reaction time, give you the Rookwood Driving Battery cognitive tests, then a 50 minute driving assessment in an unfamiliar car on an unfamiliar route when you have to remember the route instructions. That would give you a view of whether you can drive safely.

[LewisThomas in reply to john-boy-92]

Cheers

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi Lewis,

You can find out more about driving after brain injury, including the legal requirements and available support, in our booklet on the subject. You can download this here: headway.org.uk/media/8365/d...

I hope this helps and that you can get back on the road as soon as possible.

Best wishes,

Andrew

[LewisThomas in reply to headwayuk]

Thank you. My regards

[Tortie14]

When I had pcs after moderate head injury my neurologist said it did not need to be a reported to DVLA and would be ok to drive. However with the cognitive problems from head injury being attention problems, I didn’t feel safe driving in London. I felt my reaction times were slower so I gave up driving as I could use public transport. I returned to driving when my cognitive issues had improved. More difficult for you as it’s your job. Good luck.

[Painting-girl]

Hello LT, the legal bit is the catch 22 phrase, which says you should not drive if you don't feel fit to do so - which applies whether the DVLA says you can continue driving or not.

My consultant said he would back me up on the DVLA forms, provided I knew that if I became fatigued after ten minutes of driving, then I shouldn't be driving at all - which is a good rule of thumb.

The big question is car insurance, and whether yours will cover you.

I don't drive if my fatigue is, or is likely to be, bad. But I know I have executive function issues, and so making quick decisions, while improving, can be a difficulty.

J

[john-boy-92]

The DVLA are due to report to the PHSO on 21 July, regarding their audit results where the DVLA have barred exceptional case drivers from driving and/or applying for a licence. An exceptional case is a car or motorcycle driver who has less than 120 degrees horizontal vision, but is assessed as being suitable to be relicensed after their licence was revoked. In 2018, the DVLA accepted that someone who met the requirements as an exceptional case driver, would not have an improvement in their sight. However, the DVLA continued to require a change in eyesight. The PHSO found for a complainant against the DVLA, awarded them £750 and, required the DVLA to make changes and carry out an audit: the results of that audit are due by the delayed date of 21 July. I am an existing exceptional case. In June last year I applied for an assessment to regain my revoked licence. The application included two supporting letters from my GPs and evidence of functional adaption. The DVLA refused the application and barred further applications as there hadn't been a change in my eyesight (hemianopia). If you are in a similar position, you may wish to raise a complaint that goes through the steps DVLA step 1 > DVLA step 2 > ICA > PHSO, even though it could take up to 2 years for the PHSO to adjudicate.

[Writeronstack]

So sorry to hear about this LT - I was telling myself that it is okay to drive, until I realised that having driven for about an hour, I needed to stop - the journey was another 45 minutes. So I stopped and had a hot drink, rested for half an hour, and made the rest of the journey safely (this was on a known route, with no surprises). However, when I got there, I slept for a long time, and was really tired all the time.... so have decided not to make that journey again. Going to the local supermarket and back is about all I can manage just now.

Really hard for you if your job is to instruct others how to drive. Maybe re-pricing your offer for the recovery period (say half hour lessons??) might be something to try, since it is at your discretion, but if that doesn't suit, then maybe look at other alternatives for the period of recovery?? Good luck.

[LewisThomas in reply to Writeronstack]

Cheers for your advice

[spideyman]

Seems you need to drive to have a love life. I don’t drive out of choice cos there’s too many idiots who can’t drive properly.

Thus no love life