Licence revoked by DVLA - want to appeal - anyone anything similar?

[Horsewhisper]

I have had my driving licence revoked for 12 months and this came about due to the nighttime choking episodes that my Neuro is investigating. As a precaution, he told me to stop driving and I was duty bound to inform the DVLA, which I did and filled in the forms etc. Neuro suggested either nocturnal epilepsy, parasomnia or stress as possible explanations for the choking episodes. I have not had any tests, formal diagnosis or been prescribed any medication for any of these conditions and the episodes only happen when I am asleep. My daytime activities including driving are unaffected by these episodes.

I was shocked to the core when I read the letter from the DVLA and really upset at the impact of me not being able to drive has on our family. We live in a remote location miles from anywhere, with 2 very busy and sociable teenagers who rely on hubby and me transporting them around the place. Trying to be positive about it, not going anywhere anyway as extremely clinically vulnerable and in lockdown!

Anyway, I want to appeal and already the Neuro has written a really good letter for me to send to the DVLA stating that he doesn’t think it’s nocturnal epilepsy and that in his opinion I am fit to drive, which is really positive and in my favour.

Has anyone had to appeal a DVLA decision on medical grounds? How long did it take and any top tips to help with the appeal process? Any suggestions gratefully received, thank you for your reading! 🙏🌟

[PMRpro]

I didn't appeal but I had a similar experience when the stroke lead decided it MIGHT be epilepsy (absolutely no grounds for such a suspicion) after I had a TGA (transient global amnesia) episode. She told me I must surrender my licence - totally incorrect information I was later told by DVLA, I should have been told not to drive and then wait at least a month to see if there was a second episode. I dutifully surrendered my licence and was stuck - couldn't walk much more than 100m without excruciating pain so was dependent on on my husband for doing anything.

I was to have an EEG and the results, I was assured, would be available for the follow-up appointment. It wasn't - they didn't know how to contact the unit in a different hospital that did EEGs and I got a tad upset, resulting in a threat I would be thrown out for aggressive behaviour - compounded by a nurse approaching me with raised hands (an action which triggers a flash-back to an attack years ago). So I managed to get here to the flat - don't know how but it meant no stairs and a distance I could manage to get food!

It took from January to the end of May to get the results through and another 6-8 weeks to get DVLA to return my licence as the right paperwork had to be filed and the NHS was downright unhelpful. But the most useful thing I did was sit on the phone to DVLA for ages to be able speak to a person who was very very helpful and sympathetic. Once I had the letter saying there was no reason why I shouldn't drive it was fairly easy and I was able to drive in the UK almost immediately. That didn't help me at the time as the letter from DVLA was only valid for the UK and I was in Italy - but you don't have that problem.

[Horsewhisper in reply to PMRpro]

Hello PMRPro and thank you for sharing your experience. It’s reassuring to hear that you got your licence back quite quickly. Sorry to hear that you’ve been through something similar - nothing like good old tenacity and patience to get the right result I suppose. I’ve got a good Neuro letter to send in so hopefully that will speed things up a bit. I’m also waiting for an ambulatory EEG appointment which should be through soon, so if DVLA want to see the results first, at least I’m in the system for that. How annoying for you not to be able to drive in Italy though, would you have to go through the whole process again with Italian equivalent of the DVLA? At least you can walk to the shops which is nice. Hope all is good with you and thanks again xx

[PMRpro in reply to Horsewhisper]

No, no - just at the time. Here you must carry the full monty of driving licence, the paper bit alone wasn't enough to drive abroad. Even when I renew my Italian licence every 5 years until now, with medical (vision and reaction tests included), you get it renewed at the medical but have to surrender the credit card bit and it takes 3 or 4 days to get the replacement, they hand you the printout and remind you it doesn't apply in Austria which is a mere 30 km up the road!

[Horsewhisper in reply to PMRpro]

Oh! So you have to keep an eye on the country borders then! Glad you can drive in Italy - is it alpine where our are - skiing?

[PMRpro in reply to Horsewhisper]

Just for those few days - our car insurance includes a permanent green card.

Yes, I live in the eastern Dolomites, in an ordinary village that is a ski resort too.

[honeybug in reply to PMRpro]

🤗🙏🕊

[CecilyParsley]

I have no experience of this but I really feel for you. I hope that people here can help you with advice and you get it sorted . Good luck xxx

[Horsewhisper in reply to CecilyParsley]

Thank you CP, for your kind words. Some help from PMRPRO which has already made me feel a lot better. Looking on the bright side, not being in the car means I can spend more time in the kitchen trying out new recipes! 👍😋🤗😘🤗

[CecilyParsley in reply to Horsewhisper]

Bless you, you are amazing. I have not been able to drive since my knee dislocated three years ago. It is frustrating but as soon as I put pressure on the peddles it pops out again. I did not inform the DVLA because I just stopped. When I get my knee replacement I will need to learn how to drive the Jeep as I was so used to my little Micra which we have to my lovely carer. I look forward to seeing the results of your kitchen wizardry xxx

[Horsewhisper in reply to CecilyParsley]

So kind CP! Support from you lovely people on here keeps me going! I hope you get your knee op appt through soon enough so that you don’t continue to suffer anymore unnecessary pain and get behind the wheel again! The Jeep sounds fun to drive! A bit different from the Micra! 🚗 😘

[WinterSwimmer]

What an absolute nightmare. I hope this resolves itself with the appeal.

[Horsewhisper in reply to WinterSwimmer]

Thanks WinterSwimmer - I sent the letters off yesterday and hoping for a positive outcome fairly soon! Hope you are doing ok?

[stiff19]

Sorry hw , no knowledge of this but sounds frustrating. Good news neuro doesn’t think epilepsy and hope his letter helps get your license back to normal. Yes driving is such a lifeline, I know when I’ve trouble walking far and picking daughter up I’d be lost without it. I can no longer drive in the dark but I still would find it hard not to be able to drive. Good luck 👍🙏😘🤗x

[Horsewhisper in reply to stiff19]

Yes indeed - frustrating to say the least! Thanks for your kind words Stiff - always appreciated! Trying to keep the journeys to a minimum and in round trips for prescription pick ups, farm shop shopping and general bits and bobs - so hubby doesn’t spend too much time in the car. Having spoken with a nice lady at the DVLA yesterday, I’m feeling fairly positive - so just need to sit and wait. I thought I might break my piebald mini-cob to harness then I can trot round the lanes running various errands! I don’t need a licence for driving a pony and trap! And I can have a sense of freedom too! He’s a welsh section A crossed with a gypsy vanner so it’s in his DNA to drive! 😂🤗😘🤗

[Krazykat26 in reply to Horsewhisper]

😹 that's what I was gonna suggest hw..get on your horse n ride!! Yeee-haaaa!! 🤠😹

I'm glad to hear that you've had progress from your post n that you've got neuro letter n have had a chat to lovely lady at DVLA..have fingers crossed that u get back on the road soon!! 🚐

Choking episodes sounds pretty frightening I do hope u get to the bottom of what's causing that particular symptom.

Take care in that kitchen!! 🌈😽😽Xx

[Horsewhisper in reply to Krazykat26]

Hi KK! Yep - at least I have a 4-legged friend to transport me around - albeit along farm tracks, across fields and around the local lanes! Yeah the choking thing is a bit alarming, but I’ve kind have got used to it now. Anyway hopefully things will fall into place soon enough and I’ll be whizzing around on 4 wheels instead! Hope you’re ok? 🙏🌟😘🤗😘

[stiff19 in reply to Horsewhisper]

Yes sounds like you’ve got good practice in place but be good to get it back 👍 wow would love t see a pic of him Welsh cobs my favourite with feathers intact 😍, it’s funny I often say I wish we could go back to horse travel without cars 😂😂😂 my husband goes mad, he’s frightened of horses 😂 says that’s not the sort of horse power he likes, but engine horse power 😂 sounds like a good plan 🙌🏻 Fit a lot of shopping in a cart too 😂😂😂😘🤗xx

[Hidden]

Hi

Sorry to hear about the swift reaction from the DVLA! I'm surprised they haven't asked you to attend a medical with them(For which you'd pay) but I would put in as much info as possible about the situation for getting to go or hospital appointments along with asking why hasn't it been discussed and assessed through one of their medicals. check online with them regarding an appeals process. Get your go involved too if possible. In my opinion the consultant should of arranged tests and discussed the options with you rather than surmising what it could be and getting you to act on it, then having to do a letter to take back what he said! Try Citizens Advice too. Keep onto the DVLA dont give up till they give your licence back. Make sure they are aware the same consultant has written the get out of jail card the put you there in the first place! Insist on a medical.

Good Luck😊

[Horsewhisper in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Astral! Yes good point about the get out of jail card - I’ll make sure DVLA know that too. The medical is another good point also. It did seem to be all rather the wrong way round, they whipped my licence away on the grounds of what?? It was a “possibility” of nighttime epilepsy along with other things being investigated - with no testing or firm diagnosis! Fortunately I have a really good GP who is very proactive and the Neuro I think is feeling a little embarrassed about it all. He said he will do all that he can to help get my licence back. I’m on the case well and truly and thanks to you peeps for the helpful suggestions and support! 👍

[LalSD]

Very sorry to read this Horsewhisper. I really hope you get this sorted very soon. xx

[Horsewhisper in reply to LalSD]

Thank you - here’s hoping! 🤞

[Spotty-ewe]

Sorry to be late as usual with my reply Horsewhisper but it seems you’ve got some good advice from those who’ve had some experience of this. 👍🏻 I can only offer you my sympathy with the situation you now find yourself in and to wish you the very best of luck with your appeal in the hope you can get your life and those of your family back on track or should I say back on the road? 🙏🏻

Let us know how you get on. Love and hugs 😘🤗x

[Horsewhisper in reply to Spotty-ewe]

That’s lovely of you Spotty for your kind words. Yes some good advice too which has been invaluable. Hopefully I’ll be back behind the wheel soon! 🤞🚗 🤗😘🤗

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Horsewhisper]

Yes it would be more comfortable in this weather than pony and trap. 😆 I’ll be praying for a good outcome for you. 🙏🏻 Take care. 🤗😘 x