🚗 driving

[Satishouse]

Hi, does anyone have any suggestions on dealing with dvla, 11 months from 1 seizure and 8 months from surgery dvla have said today they have cancelled my licence! Although the consultant confirmed in an email in April (which i copied to dvla) to say he was happy to support my return to driving. Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[Cast_away]

hi so sorry to hear about your driving/licence issues.

Shortly after my craniotomy in September 2022, I surrendered my licence to dvla. I did not suffer any seizures and all being well would be eligible to have it restored in March 2023. As the process is long winded, you are able to apply for restoration several weeks before the six month period of surrender and I applied for restoration in January 2023. I provided confirmations from my GP, my neurosurgeon consultant and my opthalmic surgeon consultant that they all considered my fitness to drive was no longer affected. I received acknowledgment of my application but then heard nothing more and by March I was trying to chase up by phone and email. Emails were not replied to and phone calls involved long waits.

Eventually got through to a human who said my application was “in the queue “ to be dealt with and could give me no indication as to when/if it would be restored.

I was so very frustrated so contacted my MP who took up the matter and my licence was restored two weeks later. Your MP may be able to help - I hope you can get it back soon.

[Zhaleh_TBTC Administrator]

Hello, thank you for posting on the group. We know that this is often is a source of real frustration for the community.

Here is the link to our pages on driving which has some useful information: thebraintumourcharity.org/l...

Also, our driving blog, which is written by a member of the support group community will be useful to read through for tips on how best to liaise with the DVLA and how to go about getting your licence back: thebraintumourcharity.org/m...

I hope this all helps and wish you all the best with getting your licence back. Best wishes, Support team

[Moby50]

Hi as it says on the brain tumours link it all depends on whether you surrendered or if they revoked your license. But if it was voluntarily surrendered by you once you had the diagnosis and knew you were having surgery you can drive under section 88 as soon as you get the go ahead from your consultant to drive. You must also inform your insurance company as not all allow you to drive under section 88. You also need to have made an application to the DVLA to get your license back. I have lots of experience with section 88 driving as I’ve had to do this with a 3 yr medical licenses over the years as DVLA are very slow at processing medical renewals, which you are likely to have once you get your license back as they are likely to put restrictions on your license. The worst I had over Covid took over 2 years to renew but I was able to drive under section 88 by renewing my application every year. It’s annoying and unnecessary but you get used to it. I’m looking forward to when I can reapply as I thought I would have been able to by now like you but I have an appointment next week so I have everything crossed that I’ll get some answers. Good luck I hope you get your license soon 🤞🏼

[Satishouse in reply to Moby50]

Hi thank you for your info it's much appreciated. I did surrender my licence in August 2023, I had a letter from dvla they have now revoked it due to medical information so wont be able to drive under Section 88, but all information 12 months from seizure so I'm totally at a loss 😞

[Moby50 in reply to Satishouse]

As it says on the brain tumour sight low grades can be less than a year. Have you had a seizure since your surgery? If not make sure this is pointed out

If you’ve had a seizure of any type, you won’t be allowed to drive for a certain period. This will usually be for at least one year from your last seizure but for some low grade tumours it may be less, and for higher grade tumours, it’s likely to be more.

[Satishouse in reply to Moby50]

It's was a grade 1 Low Risk, seizure was in August and surgery in November no other seizures. Dvla state 12 months from surgery