Hi

[Cr123]

Has anybody been refused driving licence because of their medication for instance morphine?

[Bananas5]

Good question Cr123

As you know the law has clamped down on people who drive under the influence of drugs. However if you are taking them as prescription medicine it is a little different.

It is generally felt that those taking those drugs know how they feel and should be the one to decide whether they feel safe to drive.

I assume you have been prescribed morphine for your pain?

It is not for the GP or consultant to notify DVLA

In answer to your question - no I have never heard of anyone taking prescription morphine being refused a driving license

x.

[Danachippy in reply to Bananas5]

Hi I have just renewed my driving license,I went to the docs who sed same as cr123 I know how I feel and just don't drive on days I feel bad all new to me as know getting a disabled van for wheel chair ect as I have feeling below the knee I am very lucky,but hav to get an automatic,,and hav a career with me gone are my wild days enjoying driving lol I will though freedom xxxx

[saj01 in reply to Bananas5]

Sorry, but you are wrong.. You shouldn't be driving on morphine or any prescription or non prescription drugs which can affect your performance.

My friend who is now disabled could not get a driving licence renewed ... reason ... because she has to take morphine daily. If anyone was found to be under the influence of drink or drugs at the time of an accident it nullifies your insurance.

Someone might think they are okay to drive...but are they?

[jewel8888]

I was questioned after trying to find my way in an unfamiliar area and got pulled over. I'm court the DA understood my circumstances and I was able to just get a few points. it want right to be charged with the DUI from state troopers who looked like their steroids altered their judgement worse than me trying too drive and turn where a street light wasn't working. My advice. say I don't take my medicine if i have to drive. I don't drive at night now, lessened learn there.

[Bananas5 in reply to jewel8888]

That is probably good advice but it is a bit different in UK

x

[Danachippy in reply to jewel8888]

I am also In uk

[saj01]

Yes, I had my driving licence suspended due to medication I was taking. From memory it was reviewed after so many months and my GP had to confirm that I was no longer taking the meds and was well. I was issued with a licence for 1 year. Just prior to the expiry date, I was required to have a health review with my gp and they had to submit a completed questionairre and was subsequently issued with a licence for 3 years, which expires in 2019 so I expect to have to go through the same process again!

Any medication which can affect your driving performance is grounds for withdrawal of your licence. If you were to be involved in an accident whilst you were taking those meds would nullify your insurance. Morphine slows your response time as do other drugs.... not what you wanted to hear, I know.

[Loramay]

I take morphine patches and queried this with the dvla and they said that there is no restrictions on morphine. You can be prosecuted if it is found that you have misused any of your drugs but this applies to any drug that may affect your driving. Their advice was to carry a copy of your repeat prescription so that you can show that you are legally allowed to take them. Don't drive for a week or so after a change in your prescription to be on the safe side. Otherwise they don't even need to know that I am taking it. They also pointed out that all the information is on their website

[Loramay in reply to Loramay]

Sorry I forgot to add it doesn't nullify your insurance as long as you have been prescribed it and have taken it as directed

[coolpolitealex]

Look insurance companies will give any excuse not to pay out and clauses about this that and everything allows them to keep their bank account's full, do not allow them to run our lives, as long as you are compis mentis, are aware of your surroundings, and drive safely.

Only you know if you are affected by drugs that make you a danger to other people and yourself, so as long as you are honest to yourself, drive safely all the best Alex.

[Bananas5 in reply to coolpolitealex]

And keep your eyes open for those drivers who can't drive!

x

[Bananas5]

Gov UK say......

You can drive if:

you’ve been prescribed them and followed advice on how to take them by a healthcare professional

they aren’t causing you to be unfit to drive even if you’re above the specified limits

You could be prosecuted if you drive with certain levels of these drugs in your body and you haven’t been prescribed them.

So as I said earlier it is very much left to the person taking the drugs and you will know if you are not fit to drive.

As for insurance...a member from this forum was involved in an accident recently while on prescription meds and there was absolutely no questions from insurance company.

My David was on morphine for donkeys and drove his mobility car without any questions.

So the answer is still yes you can dried while on morphine as long as you kep to the level prescribed and be sensible.

Can you imagine the mess you would be in if you take meds as normal then have to drive unexpectedly?

x

[Bumley]

Strictly speaking not a medication reason but I am a diabetic and insulin dependent. Last year I became unaware of having a Hypoglycemic incident (little or not blood sugar) and is referred to as Hypo unawareness. As a result I had to give up my licence, I will not be able to drive again until I get my awareness back and then only a year after that.

There are many other rules for Insulin dependent Diabetics that restrict their ability to drive.