I’ve recently was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Given a form to inform DVLA of my new diagnosis. Form says not to drive but nurse didn’t say much about driving.
I’ve informed DVLA and they said I can either evoke my licence or have an assessment.
My problem is my partner doesn’t drive so will need to rely on public transport which will be expensive as I’m not working took early retirement due to chronic fatigue and receive a small pension from work.
I was given the CPAP on the same day of diagnosis and feel a lot better since starting treatment.
Does anyone have any experience of this and when am I likely be able to drive again?
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Matilda_1922
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Thank you I have an appointment this week and planning to ask them how it goes. I know a lot of people who have this condition and drive but I wonder whether they actually inform DVLA. My sister has OSA and has continued to drive.
It depends how severely the sleep apnea affects you. You have to inform the DVLA if the doctor ask you to do so. Otherwise your insurance can become invalid and you can be in trouble if the DVLA finds out. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea too (and use an APAP machine at night) but because I don’t suffer from day time sleepiness the doctor told me I was fine to drive (as long as I’m not tired) and have that in writing from him. Just follow your doctors advice.
Hope your appointment goes well
• in reply to
It is necessary to inform the DVLA of a diagnosis of OSA no matter what your doctor says. The decision as to whether you can drive is one that is taken by the DVLA and not your doctor.
• in reply to
Not in my case as I don’t suffer sleepiness according to the new DVLA guidelines.
1.2.1 Group 1, Car and Motorcycle Drivers
Mild, moderate or severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) without excessive sleepiness:
You may continue to drive as normal and you do not need to notify the DVLA.
• in reply to
Thanks for the updated info. I don’t know anyone with OSA that does not have some degree of sleepiness before they start on CPAP.
I would have thought the consultant will assess you whether you can or cannot drive and will give this information to DVLA as they cannot see you physically.
I have a review tomorrow and I will ask them this question. I don’t want to have my licence evoked though.
My sister lives in Australia and has severe OSA she told me she was never informed to notify Australia’s version of DVLA. I googled it and it’s a notifiable condition in Australi.
She says her setting is 11. I think I start on 6 then up to 8 after 20 minutes.
I have found an updated patient information sheet from DVLA and I didn’t need to inform DVLA as I don’t suffer from excessive sleepiness during the day.
I’m going to show this to the nurse I see tomorrow
It was updated in January.
I rarely full asleep during the day but felt tired.
• in reply to
I would have thought the combination of no sleep with poor sleep would lead to a higher Epworth score rather than a lower one. Of course the Epworth scale is self-reported.
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It depends what kind of insomnia you have. My struggle is falling asleep (not staying asleep), it will take me at least 2 hours or more to nod off (it doesn’t matter how tired I am) and am unable to nap, once I’m asleep I will sleep for 12 hours or more. I score zero on the epworth scale. Just follow your sleep specialist advice for the DVLA, they know best as they deal with it every day.
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Struggle to use CPAP
cant sleep because im scared i will die
Why can’t I sleep? 
Sleep Apnea after concussion?
Sleep anxiety/dying in sleep fear etc. 
