ClareM Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Hi Just thought I would ask if anyone else has had a long delay on getting their driving licence back? I had my surgery on 10 Feb 2015 when an EVD was placed due to Hydrocephalus. The drain was removed on 17 February and I was discharged a week later. I believe through reading the DVLA website that there is an automatic 6 month ban after an EVD. I reapplied for my licence at the end of May as advised by the Nurse Specialist at Wessex Neuro. They wrote to me in July and said they had written to the hospital and were awaiting a reply. I did not contact the DVLA again until the end of September as I had been on holiday and did not need to drive. When I rang them they told me they had heard from the hospital and that they were unable to make a decision and that the case had been passed to the Medical Advisor. Then they told me that the wait could be at least 9 weeks, and it was taking that amount of time at present! I have no residual problems since discharge and wondered what the delay could be for. My worry is that they will ask me to take another test of some kind. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Clare xx (On a brighter note, my husband has promised me a new car when I get my licence back, will I remember how to drive though?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemma B-B Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Hi Clare, I am also experiencing similar issues with getting my license back. I had an EVD at the end of Jan, but then also had a shunt fitted in Feb, My 6 month ban was up in August from the date I had the shunt fitted. Like you I reapplied for my licence at the end of May and was told the DVLA had got in touch with my hospital. Last week I received another letter from the DVLA to say that my consultant still haven't got in touch with them so they have written to them again. I have also got in touch with the hospital to try and move things along. The DVLA have said it will take them a number of weeks to decide even once they have the information. I imagine I will be asked to go and sit a test as I have been left with residual physical and cognitive issues. My OT at my rehab centre has said it will be at a specialist disability driving centre and if the DVLA request it they have to pay the fee for it (which is around £50). You can ask to do the test yourself, but then you have to pay the fee. The test involves sitting in a simulator to check your reaction speeds and then a practical test. I am concerned about sitting the test as I know my thought speed is greatly reduced (I sat an assessment at my rehab only yesterday and came in the 'severely impaired' category for speed) but I can understand why it might be necessary. I live in a hamlet with no public transport so if I can no longer drive we will have to look at moving to a larger settlement. If you have been left with no residual problems hopefully it will just be a matter for waiting it out for the DVLA to get everything in order and to get your license back - the wait is very frustrating though! If you are a bit nervous about driving again you could potentially have some lessons or have someone sit in with you at first. Hopefully it is just like riding a bike and will all come back! Well done to hubby for the promise of a new car I actually bought a car two weeks before I had my SAH which now sits outside unless my husband takes it out. Gemma xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Clare, it is known that DVLA drag their feet for ages, meaning months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Both I didn't have to take a test and had the Evd and the shunt and like you Gemma have some cognitive lasting effects. It took a lot of chasing and my arranging a letter from my consultant before I got my license back but I think that's more down to the failings in the administrative procedure at DVLA than anything else....keep faith. Keep chasing . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemma B-B Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Daffodil - That is reassuring to know so thank you for sharing - hopefully with some prodding I will get a result sometime soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob.com Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Hi clare, I had the same problems getting my licence back. I had to do same as daffodil, chase hospital and keep contacting dvla to find out what was going on. Took me about eight months in the end. Keep chasing rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie.H Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Hi ClareI Had Sah with coil embolisation done In july 15 and as advised surrendered my licence as soon as I got home, after a few weeks the dvla contacted me to say they had received it and would then contact my consultant for a full medical report, approx 6 weeks later they then told me they had received the report and I should know within 9 weeks .....and then lo and behold they write and tell me the report is incomplete and they are now waiting on the full report so goodness knows how long it will be now. I know exactly how you feel and frustrated with the whole business, but hopefully like me you will know in the near future.......I just phone every 3 days and enquire so they will either get bored with me phoning and deal with it OR they might keep putting me to the bottom of the list.Davie H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Davie, if you haven't had invasive brain surgery , a EVD placed or a seizure then technically your GP can clear you to drive post SAH ....can you tell i spent far too much time on this. I'll try and find the other thread with details but there is a document that explains it.... Edited to add. In this thread is the link to document , may find it useful to explain http://web.behindthegray.net/index.php?/topic/2166-dvladriving-advice-needed/?hl=dvla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie.H Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Many thanks Daffodil, I spoke with a representative from dvla medical team and he told me that I should refrain from driving until his colleagues had processed all the information that they had received from my consultant, also each case is based on individual circumstances and he then went on to suggest if you had a bleed for eg:size of a penny then that would be dealt with differently than one which was the size of 10 pence piece (when I say bleed, I mean the size of aneurysm) What I didn't say before that 10 days after my discharge from neurological hospital I was re-admitted to a general hospital as I was having TIA'S 3 off them in fact, so I dont know if that has had any influence with the time its taking for a decisionThank you again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClareM Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 HOORAY!!!!! I got my licence back today! Very odd as when I rang the DVLA last Wednesday, a very sympathetic lady told me the Doctors were currently dealing with cases sent them in August and that mine had not been sent until October. I had resigned myself to another 2 month wait so was astounded today to receive it today, Interestingly the letter is dated 26 November, day after my phone call, maybe the sympathetic lady felt sorry for me! Couldn't be better timing, my daughter who has been using my car, is off to France on Thursday so won't be any arguments over who is driving it! Just got to see if I can remember how to drive! Watch out Portsmouth road users! Clare xx 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle C Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Congratulations Clare, I am so pleased for you, when I read your post I could see you with a huge smile, Just what you needed Love Michelle x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemma B-B Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Congratulations Clare! Enjoy driving again. Hopefully mine will also make an appearance soon. Gemma xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClareM Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 I hope so too Gemma. Strange driving again, I keep forgetting I can use the car! However being car less for 9 months has made me more aware of other modes of transport and I am hoping to make more use of them in the future - especially my bike! Keeping my fingers crossed for you Clare xxx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharlua Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Fantastic feeling getting licence back, feels like a big step in the recovery process, hope Driving goes well Claire, enjoy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie.H Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Superb Clare Safe driving, I know how you feel, I too felt strange after 4 months off the road but it allows us to go further afield without relying on family, friends and !!!!! Public transport !!!! Like many it seemed like an uphill battle with the dvla but we get there in the end I still had the old style paper licence and now waiting on my photo id one coming back, prob take another 9 weeks Davie.H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie.H Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 RE.DVLAHaving had numerous conversations with various people at the DVLA, , no one seems to want to take ownership of who finally decides when you can drive.DVLA say my consultant can pass me fit medically to drive and my consultant categorically says the dvla get a full Medical report and they decide Me, I'm confused, but hey got my licence back .Davie H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weedrea Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 HOORAY!!!!! I got my licence back today! Very odd as when I rang the DVLA last Wednesday, a very sympathetic lady told me the Doctors were currently dealing with cases sent them in August and that mine had not been sent until October. I had resigned myself to another 2 month wait so was astounded today to receive it today, Interestingly the letter is dated 26 November, day after my phone call, maybe the sympathetic lady felt sorry for me! Couldn't be better timing, my daughter who has been using my car, is off to France on Thursday so won't be any arguments over who is driving it! Just got to see if I can remember how to drive! Watch out Portsmouth road users! Clare xx Lucky you! Funny I phoned the DVLA today and was told the same thing...currently only reviewing cases from August/Sept and mine wasn't sent until October. But they did say my licence hasn't been revoked so there's no problem with me driving if my GP says it's ok so might chase it up with them. Hopefully my phone call will get the same outcome as you and I'll receive my letter next week!! On the other hand I quite like not being able to drive....makes a great excuse for not travelling as much with work. Andrea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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