At my hospital appointment this week I have been told by the neuro speciaist that I ought to stop driving pending a driving assessment. Does anyone know if an assessment carried out by the IAM (institute of advanced motorists) or Rospa will be acceptable to the dvla
thanks in anticipation
You will need to notify the DVLA of your diagnosis, and they don't know anything about PSP. You can report it using the questions they ask for Parkinson's, but make it clear it's a separate condition. If your doctor has adviced you, but not told you to stop driving (they will be clear about the difference) you have a choice whether to surrender your license or continue driving while waiting for an answer, still it's best for you to initiate the assessment as soon as possible rather than wait for DVLA to demand it. You can find out more at drivingmobility.org.uk
My husband did an assessment at DriveAbility, and their report helped him get a one year medical exception from the DVLA. DriveAbility told him to have a (free) follow up after 6 months - or sooner if necessary - but as things turned out, he stopped driving after just a few months.
All that said - it's important you stop driving before putting yourself and others at risk. Ask those who know you, whether they believe you are safe driving. It is difficult to make that judgement yourself, especially if vision or reflexes are affected, or if your judgement, planning or impulse control is impaired. Some medication could make you take risks you wouldn't have taken before. Start getting used to the idea that your driving days are coming to an end. Such is PSP
Hi, sadly this is another huge adjustment this vile illness forces you to make.Your insurance will need to be informed re your consultants advice, due to the cognitive deteriation you may not be aware of how your perception is changing.
The day my husband was driving down a road he travelled most days , came off the island and swung onto the oncoming traffic, he thought it was a dual track, his driving days ended, the risk to others was too great.
What's the reason for that advice? Vision probs, car handling/control, spatial awareness, etc?
There will be an RDAC centre in your region, and they are fully equipped to handle this. But I can't remember what RDAC stands for! ... probably Regional Disabled Assessment Centre. I am 81 and on 4th assessment I have just failed .... so another octogenarian is pissed-off and safely off the roads now!
I have made a 7-page report on my past 5 years of PSP discoveries, with helpful hints. Happy to share. If you like one I will do so, but pls send me ur email address. Here a section from it. Best wishes for the future. TimbowPSP
DVLA AND DRIVING
As a driver, legally you must report your PSP diagnosis to DVLA. However I was warned by a friend that they would take me off the road right away, so being a rebel I didn’t!
Instead I asked my GP for referral to RDAC for an annual ‘Disabled Driving Assessment’. I passed this for three successive years and drove legally, but was failed just 2 weeks ago …. Ouch!
thanks Tim I have applied for an assessment with rdac and would welcome a copy of your 7 page document
Please email to rosewellian@aol.com
Forewarned is forearmed👍👍
Hi Tim
I too, would be grateful for a copy of your document. My email address is pamela.gibbs@outlook.com.au
Best wishes
Hi, i have PSP. and would like a copy of your 7 page document. Thank you.
Hello Redpesky, Will email you a copy of the Update, soon as you tell me ur email address. Cheers TimbowPSP
Yes. Please send me a copy. I was just diagnosed last week after 4.5 years with Parkinson’s. Thanks.
Not the best Christmas news for you, sad to say .... but maybe misdiagnosed PSP all along? You are asking for a copy of my 'journey of 5 yrs with PSP + suggestions', etc? Certainly, I will send, but pls give me ur email address. Cheers TimbowPSP
Rmmoorehead@comcast.net
Hi there
This is my first time commenting on this forum. My husband was diagnosed with PSP in June 2021. I had seen worrying signs that all was not well at least 18 months before we finally had a diagnosis and I had suggested to my husband very early on that it was not wise for him to drive. His behaviour was erratic and he was not always concentrating and I feared he would be a danger to himself and others. Fortunately he was not that bothered by driving, although when he got upset he used to threaten to take the keys and go out in the car, but thankfully he never did. We were told when he was diagnosed that it was our duty to inform DVLA.
I suppose these things have a way of working themselves out. Very soon anyway my husband had little interest in driving or really going very far, so was happy to let me do it. Another responsibility of course for the carer but I think it is better to be safe than sorry for all concerned.
Similar story here. It was one of the first sign that all was not well when my husband who loved his cars,always pristine,unlike mine, and was passionate about engines and a good smooth driver started being a bit jerky and overtaking really close to cars. I offered to drive every time we went out together as I was a little nervous with him and after a while he realised that he had not used his car for a while so we ended up selling it. The transition was painless, I was expecting tantrum.
thank you all for your comments I am at the beginning of what is becoming a bit of a nightmare I will undertake a driving assessment as soon as possible and will notify the dvla thereafter
You should notify the DVLA first, they will then arrange for you to have a driving assessment which basically is an half hour drive with an examiner who informs you where to go. He will also ask you to reverse. I did it and got graded with an A -. Apparently I didn't look in the mirror every 10 seconds! I felt good after the assessment and it didn't cost me anything. My licence was was reviewed and extended by 2 years. Before the end of the 2 years I was sent a letter to see if I was still interested in driving, I said yes so they then asked me for the name of my consultant to determine whether I should continue or not. He said yes so again it was extended by 2 years. Thankfully I still can drive. Good luck with yours
Thankyou it’s encouraging
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