Trying to get my license after a tbi

[Tebbs55]

Hello suffered a tbi back in November last year , cyclist vs car feel I’ve come a long way since also having post traumatic amnesia, filled all paperwork in to dvla and returned my license as requested, applied for new license in August , dvla have written to medical for fit to drive first week in October but none of them will / want to respond , my GP said we don’t do that, has anyone arranged a private medical to determine fit to drive that the DVLA will approve.

[demondez]

I just had to wait for Dvla to send me to see a medical team to see if they thought I could Drive then had to have a lesson with a instructor then he told DvlaHope your OK and let me know what happens please ??

[Tebbs55 in reply to demondez]

I have been told I can’t have a driving assessment as my license is now invalid , it’s a nightmare

[pinkvision]

You can get assessed by the driving mobility service. You need to pay, they will do the assessment and recommend if you are fit to drive or not. They will provide written evidence so you can take it to your GP. Your GP signs off the DVLA form allowing you to drive again. It all takes quite some time so be prepared to wait 6-12 months, may be more, to get through the process.

[paxo05]

Hi not sure if this is what happens now but you used to get a letter from gp or consultant saying they feel you are fit to drive. Then dvla arrange an assessment for you. This is a further medical., reaction timing followed by two driving assessments with any adaptions needed.

Then you may get your licence,

Pax

[APAscot]

I didn’t have a tbi but multiple seizures so was banned from driving for a year. This was in 2016 but all I had to do then was give the DVLA details of my consultant and GP and they contacted them for confirmation that I was cleared to drive. I think it’s more the consultant they want to hear from. I can’t believe your doctor won’t cooperate or that you will have to pay for an assessment. I had a further mini seizure after that so it was back to square one. Reason for further seizure was stomach bug leading to loss of medication. I know just how awful it is not being able to drive so I hope you can resolve this soon.

[Jonty77]

interesting how many different experiences there are when you’d think there would just be a procedure that is followed each time. It was simpler for me. I filled in the forms, gave details of my nhs neurologist and left dvla to do the rest. It took a year to go through the system but as I hadn’t had a seizure I was told I could keep my license and was technically fit to control a car. Only thing I had to do was have a special eye test as my accident had initially caused some problems, but I did the test fine.

The reality is that ptsd triggers mean I’m not ready to drive, but everyone has to decide if they’re safe to drive whenever they drive anyway, and they made that clear in my letter.

Hope things get sorted for you.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Jonty77]

indeed for myself nearly 10 years now, on my Discharge notes I wasn’t to drive for 6 months and inform DVLA, which I did.

At 6month I had to or rather my wife a tomb of a form get the GP to sign that they thought I was okay.

DVLA where good as I remember the license hadn’t arrived so I rang and they told me that as far as they where concerned I was good to go at 6months the physical license did eventually make its way to me.

But I was relatively uncomplicated TBI no seizures etc.

[DTBI]

Hi, it took me 4yrs after my TBI to get my driving licence back due to my subsequent seizures. After I’d survived a year without one DVLA gave me a 5yr licence.

I think the delays can be caused by the specific info you provided them in your App. Hopefully you will receive a licence or some feedback soon. Good luck with it👍🏻

[Tebbs55]

They have confirmed all paperwork ok , but not moving forward due to lack of any replies from medics they have written to that’s two different hospitals and my gp, guess I just have to be patient but to be honest it’s depressing

[skydivesurvivor]

went to assessment to get my license back, declined due to loss of peripheral vision on left side. Met a lady who also suffered an annuisam, she got hers back! Hope is same with you!!

[lcd8]

DVLA are really slow to get these things moving and the pandemic has made it worse unfortunately.

[Elenor3]

contact your nearest Motability Centre. They will do all the assessments, driving test etc. and depending on their recommendations your licence can be reinstated. They make a charge for the service.

I had to wait five years to have my Motability driving test and neuro/physical assessment. Got my license back after forwarding their report to DVLA. Six months later I had a seizure and had it withdrawn again. But I don’t have t9 have the full assessment next time, they’ve said that if I’m seizure free for a period of time, I can just ask my GP for a ‘fitness to drive’ letter without the need for a further assessment.

DVLA took months to respond to my original application. Having dealt with them over such a long period of time, I understand why they’re so slow. They seem to be understaffed and not have a fit for purpose IT system. Since the pandemic with people working from home, their creaking service got even slower.

Wishing you good luck with your application. Contact Motability. If they’re not in your area they should be able to tell you who covers your locality.

[ftt1960]

My GP actually phoned me to ask about my driving, needlees to say all was good. I was honest about driving in the dark and not going to new places. Sent my license away in August last year. Have mow been asked to go for a particular eyesight test at Specsavers, booked gor next week. Still driving and have asked about this, was told I could continue to drive until told not to!

[Tebbs55]

by way of an update just received today a letter inviting me for a driving assessment, rang the assessment centre which is in Hertfordshire but doesn’t cover my area in Kent , DVLA now have to contact a centre in Kent if they can find it ! , more delays , I phoned them and asked it to be given priority as it’s 15 months next week, won’t hold my breath !