Return to driving

[Gymbuddie]

I was diagnosed in March 2022 with stage four lung cancer with mets. In April 2022 I was told that I can no longer drive due to mets in my brain. I stopped driving in April 2022. Sold my car etc. However I did not notify DVLA. I spoke to my oncologist in April 2023 and she advised that providing I have not had a seizure or fainting episode in 12 months , then I could return to driving. This is on the basis that I am responding to treatment and my 3 monthly scans are stable. Has anyone been in the same situation as me. As I am now feeling a bit uneasy.

[Cacao23]

Hi, I had an identical diagnosis in April 2023, but was told 24 months. I have surrendered my license, but 12 months sounds much better...! Why the difference?

[Cockailschemocancer in reply to Cacao23]

That’s odd - normally it’s 12 months, who told you 24?

[Cockailschemocancer]

I surrendered my license and it took ages to get it back COVID and DVLA delays but as I had applied I was allowed to drive after 12 months as I was fit to drive! Then eventually got my license back, but it only lasts a year. So maybe you’re ok and your team said you are?

[Gymbuddie in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

Thank you for your response. Do you have mets to the brain also? Overall, I think that I will be alright.

[Cacao23 in reply to Gymbuddie]

Yes, was 6 now 4

[Cockailschemocancer]

yes I did had them cyberknifed with one session and all good so far! I think you will be too! In hindsight wish I had done that too!

[BellaBe]

It’s not the same length of time for everyone, it is dependent on where your mets are placed, how many etc. It is 12 or 24 months depending on these factors. There are medical guidelines in place from the DVLA.

If you didn’t surrender your license and the DVLA find out then you may be penalised for this. It is a legal requirement.

You have to go through a process to prove you are fit to drive for your and others on the road safety. This is why you surrender your license so the proper checks can be made not just “ you’ll be fine” and you’re back behind the wheel.

[Gymbuddie in reply to BellaBe]

I am going on the advice of my oncologist who clearly stated that if I do not have any episodes within 12 months from the start of my treatment and based on the fact that I am progressing well with treatment, I think that this is independent evidence upon which I can rely. It is now 16 months since I last drove.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Gymbuddie

Sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis and encouraging to read that you can now go back to driving, we hope you continue to respond to your treatment.

GOV UK advises that any cancer that affects the brain or nervous system should be reported and a C1 form be completed. It can be 1 or 2 years before driving is allowed after the diagnosis, and it should be on the advice of the specialist.

I have placed the guidelines from GOV UK to notify them of your cancer and you could perhaps provide a cover note detailing, how unwell you were and that you did not drive for the period of 2022 , include in the cover note that your oncologist has given the approval of you recommencing driving.

gov.uk/cancer-and-driving

You can also find driving guidelines on our booklet on brain metastases, on pages 29 and 30: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

I hope this helps and please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss further, our free phone nurse led helpline number is 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail]

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Gymbuddie in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Many thanks. That is helpful.