ralz9
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Post by ralz9 on Apr 8, 2016 21:38:06 GMT
I was wondering if anyone else has faced a similar issue and could offer any advice.
Basically I was diagnosed in January. The person I see, I can't remember what her title is, told me I had to inform the DVLA. So I did this, thinking it was just a formality. I've been driving for 15 years and my ADHD doesn't affect my ability to drive one bit. So about 6 weeks later I received a letter to say my licence has been revoked because I've suffered a psychiatric illness and I'm not fit to drive any more which just seems absolutely crazy.
So I phoned the ADHD clinic place and spoke to someone and they got their doctor to call me. I assumed he'd thrown me under the bus and said I'm not fit to drive when the DVLA wrote to him. He said they do this kind of thing all the time and they aren't capable of understanding that nothing changed on the day of my diagnosis as I've always had ADHD. He said he'd write to them to explain I am fit to drive but apparently they won't consider over turning their decision until 3 months has passed as they need to know that I'm stable.
I don't know what to do. I can't get to work or see my family or anything. I even considered telling the doctor I just made everything up to score some ritalin and I definitely don't really have ADHD just to try and get this mess sorted ASAP. The issues I'm being caused by having my licence suddenly revoked far outweigh those that I'd have if I just left my ADHD untreated.
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Post by marionk on Apr 8, 2016 23:38:45 GMT
Who on earth told them you have ADHD anyway? It's not on the list of things you need to tell them about. Yes, it does affect your memory and concentration, but not to such an extent that you personally are not fit to drive; as witness, the fact that you passed your test with it! rethink pdfonline versionThere's been a whole long running thread on here on the subject too, it's a bit long and I think the situation changed in the course of it, so start with the most recent posts. There are some people with ADHD that aren't fit to drive, but they are the ones that have been unable to pass the test! I notice there's an 0300 number on the 'rethink' page. Might be a good place to start. MIND often have advocates who might be able to help too. A letter to your MP would be appropriate, but I don't know how much actual help it would be for you personally. Sorry I can't be more help, I expect someone more use will be along before offices open again. eta sorry I see it was you that told them And actually also that ADHD IS (stupidly) on the list! www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving eta the link for ADHD on the page in the link above goes to this page with detailed information, so Bee is right on the money in the next post
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Post by Bee on Apr 9, 2016 1:22:25 GMT
When you click on the link 'Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD' or whatever it says, it takes you to a page that says
"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and driving
You must tell DVLA if your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects your ability to drive safely."
So (to me) it sounds as though you only have to tell them IF it affects your driving... But it does look a little open to interpretation!
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Post by Foxtrot on Apr 9, 2016 8:51:16 GMT
Call DVLA and tell them you want them to reconsider their decision. You believe they have not had full regards to the evidence when making their decision and it should therefore be reconsidered by an alternative caseworker. Do this within 28 days of them notifying you. See if you can get a note from your GP or consultant to support your argument and send this in as supporting evidence.
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merrial
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Post by merrial on Apr 9, 2016 11:30:40 GMT
I had to inform DVLA in January about having ADHD. They sent me a form to fill in which asked for my Dr's details and those of my Psychiatrist. Also what medication I was taking for this, which is concerta xl. It advised me that they would write to them for the information. This whole process took 3 months. And like you I had to get to work, walking, biking, and dreaded bus journeys. Quite distressing really when the letter they sent back said I was fine to drive, but if you take Dexamphetamine you need to inform the police if you are stopped and give them either your prescription or the info leaflet or letter from doc? Also if the condition worsens and you are told not to drive by your Dr you need to inform them, DVLA of this. Did you get the form? Hope you get this sorted. It's really annoying!!!!
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ralz9
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Post by ralz9 on Apr 11, 2016 19:47:47 GMT
Thanks, I'll have a read through that stuff now and hopefully will find something that can help me.
I'll give the DVLA a call too. I didn't bother at first as I didn't think it would make any difference. I'll give it a try tomorrow though and see what I need to do to get the decision reconsidered.
Merrial, did you stop driving while you were waiting for their decision? I contacted them and then sent the required documentation but still continued to drive as they hadn't told me to stop. It took a couple of months for them to send me this letter.
I saw my consultant today and she was very surprised that it had happened. She said she's only known of a couple of instances of this happening. But then she said the reason they've done it is because they need to see that I'm stable on a medication for three months before they'll deem me to be fit to drive.
Didn't really make sense to me as surely every single person that's diagnosed falls in to the category of starting a new medication, so then why is it so rare to have a licence revoked.
I'm just so annoyed. There's literally nothing happened to imply my ability to drive has been impaired. To make matters worse I've just stopped Concerta as it didn't help me, so I don't know if starting atomoxetine is going to be an issue for them.
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eli77
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Post by eli77 on Apr 12, 2016 10:08:01 GMT
How incredibly annoying!
I know it won't be of much help now, but I think we do have to be very careful what we choose to say or not. I think I could have ended up in a similar situation because when my Psychiatrist wrote up my report to give my doc he'd written about my past tendency to speed when younger but hadn't followed it up with the fact that I now hyper-focus on being a very safe driver due to my past tendency. (this is where adhd can be a good thing!) I called him immediately and requested that he alter the report which he did.
I think we do need to be cautious about what we choose to divulge to anyone who can potentially have or pass on the potential to have power to remove or enforce things in our lives that are essential or very important to us.
btw - if she told you they'd revoked your license due to you starting meds - that's absolute nonsense. Don't accept it.
Study your rights and don't let anyone fob you off. If you know you're a safe driver then you have a right to drive just like anyone else - if dvla revoked the license of everyone starting on adhd meds, I promise you there would be fairly massive outcry - especially due to the fact that many of us rely on our cars to take kids to school, put food on the table and undertake jobs that are a service to the public such as doctors - Yes, plenty of doctors and surgeons have adhd - remember that when you need brain surgery.
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merrial
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Post by merrial on Apr 12, 2016 10:44:39 GMT
To be honest this whole telling DVLA thing is a farce..and I realized this when I received the letter stating that unless I have been "Told" by my Dr to
Stop driving or my condition has worsened? ( I have ADHD ffs, have had since a kid!!!). It doesn't actually seem to matter. As the letter said even
if I were taking Dexamphetamin it doesn't affect you driving as long as they're prescribed and you carry proof. This seems to be the only drug they
are bothered about. So I wouldn't worry that your meds have changed. And I do wish that Medical Professionals would stop telling people inform
DVLA and get their facts straight before putting people through a lot of stress and worry!!
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eli77
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Post by eli77 on Apr 12, 2016 14:18:56 GMT
Only if it's Dexamphetamine? wth? this is basically the same as Dextroamphetamine which is widely taken by military air forces as a 'go pill' to heighten their cognitive focus and ability.
If it's ok for them to take it when there is the potential to make such apparent errors as to blow up hospitals full of innocent civilians (which we never hear of) then how can DVLA justify revoking someones driving license? - Obviously they wait around for 2 to 3 months until these pilots have titrated up to the correct dose before sending them out on bombing missions.
Absolute pile of balls.
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Post by easilydistracted on Apr 12, 2016 17:27:42 GMT
Obviously...
if they take away your driving licence while on Dex, even though you might still think think you are a bomber pilot you won't be able to drop bombs (contents of ashtrays, Macdonald's bags etc) on people from the roofs of multi-storey car parks.
And you thought they were mad, you just were not looking hard enough for the logic!
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merrial
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Post by merrial on Apr 13, 2016 7:53:21 GMT
THE LOGIC is.... there is no Logic!!!! ta da..
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ishara
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Post by ishara on May 1, 2016 22:27:12 GMT
I encounter the Dvla quite a bit in a professional context and I have long thought that they can be pretty bloody random. I got a diagnosis a few days ago and my consultant very clearly told me that we did not have to the inform the DVLA unless we thought my driving was affected. We agreed that it wasn't ( last accident 24 years ago) so we didn't. Job done. Sounds to me on reflection that actually whoever told you to tell the Dvla is at fault -the Dvla are Just assuming that your driving must be affected because you told them (qed). Ok, so it is crazy that they can't respond quickly and appropriately to this (I would def try your mp, btw)
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Post by clubby on May 3, 2016 14:56:33 GMT
I also encounter the DVLA a lot in my profession. There are not enough expletives to describe them. If you lose your job over this, I suggest you hitch hike to Swansea or wherever they are and chain yourself to the railings. They have no right to behave like this. I am beyond angry!! I have had enough of bureaucrats destroying people's lives in order to protect themselves legally. Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!
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Post by smogz101 on May 3, 2016 18:16:00 GMT
I was told I had to tell them! They wrote to the psych months ago who I'm assuming has told them Im fine as I've heard nowt back off them since
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Post by angrysmiley on May 3, 2016 23:53:56 GMT
Sorry for the late reply... Hope it worked out for you.
If you had a prior spot-free driving history, that's not going to suddenly change just because of an ADHD diagnose as an adult. A psychiatrist making an initial assessment should be able to make a recommendation based on that and any other factors. DVLA is pretty clear regarding that distinction.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Aug 10, 2016 10:06:12 GMT
Don't know how to link to threads . . So bernicecarisa . .this may be helpful. More recent than the thread you posted on
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Post by papa jon on Aug 10, 2016 21:31:14 GMT
That is absolutley redulous! Pensioners are given more leeway Adhd is not an automatic restriction, there are soliders in the army with adhd who drive tanks for gods sake,
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Post by vagueandrandom on Sept 2, 2016 10:32:59 GMT
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duckster
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Post by duckster on Sept 12, 2016 21:29:43 GMT
Hello everyone, I thought I would post as I have just gone through this process and I got told that I am completely fine to drive and to inform them if I take a medication which begins with a "D" i think someone up there^ has mentioned it . I know it is easier said than done, but try not to worry x
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Endymion
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Post by Endymion on Oct 20, 2016 11:08:11 GMT
Interesting news article on BBC re DVLA making inappropriate decisions and taking an age to sort: 'Major failings' in DVLA medical fitness to drive cases - www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37703036
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theseeker
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Post by theseeker on Oct 24, 2016 18:27:01 GMT
Meant to post this a while ago, but.... Talking to a health professional it became apparent that doctors can claim a significant fee for filling in medical referrals.
I'm not saying that this is the driving force (pun intended) for all GPs but could it influence some?
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Post by vagueandrandom on Dec 23, 2016 20:07:27 GMT
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