Handing in my driving license?!

[Paiste]

Hi all,
I've recently been put on insulin and told that i'm type 1.. Could someone advise me as to why i need to hand in my license?. I understand that its because of hypo's etc, but why does the DVLA form give me the option not to hand it over, and take it to court?
Its almost as if its ''sign here and condemn yourself to a retest every 3 years'', even though you don't actually have to?..

 

[cugila]

Just for clarification here, your profile says Type 2 on Oral Meds, however you now say you are Type 1. :?

Can you tell us which is correct please ? Are you a Type 2 who is on Insulin ? Have you been re-diagnosed as a Type 1 ?

 

[TheSparkyPony]

Perhaps give the DVLA a ring and explain your situation? Diabetes is a bit of a complex situation when it comes to licenses, and you always have to remember to keep them informed of any changes. Failure to do so can result in invalid insurance in an accident and prosecutions (or so my consultant tells me!).

Here is a link that gives some more information, if it helps:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-dia ... _the_DVLA/

I know for my license I have to have it renewed every 3 years but I'm not driving at the minute (my own decision but also informed DVLA) as my levels are hitting random lows and I don't want to endanger anyone x

 

[redrevis]

You don't need to 'hand in your licence' if you're on insulin. I think you've got mixed up. Basically you fill in a questionnaire, truthfully. Sent it to the DVLA, they will then decide whether to either take your licence off you, (only really going to happen if you have multiple severe disabling hypos, no hypo awareness etc) or restrict it to a 1, 2, or 3 year licence, where you'll have to fill in the questionnaire again at that time and they'll either renew your licence or take it off you depending on what's happened in the time since your initial questionnaire. You also have to give permission for them to access all your medical information for obvious reasons.
That is my understanding of it anyway. If anything I've said is wrong, misleading or not 100% factual I'm sure cugila will quickly correct me :lol:

Also like cugila has said. Who's told you you're type 1, has this changed from type 2? Have you been told your type 2 but now need insulin to control it?

 

[copepod]

Here's the DVLA page with information about driving with diabetes and insulin, including forms to download. You will get back a 1, 2 or 3 year licence to drive cars or motorbikes, but nothing bigger eg HGV, PSV, minibuses, vans etc. You will need to either have a medical examination or a report written by your diabetes specialists - if you attend clinic at least once a year, you will (almost certainly) not need to make a special appointment for your driving licence renewal. There is no possibility of appeal nor going to court. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... /DG_185427

As there is some confusion about whether or not you are type 1 or type 2, there is just a chance that if you are type 2, alternative injectable drugs such as Byetta or Victoza might be tried, which might prevent losing any existing rights you hold to drive HGV, PSV, minibuses, vans etc.

 

[cugila]

If your Licence is revoked there is a right of appeal to a Magistrates’ Court if you live in England or Wales, or to a Sheriff Court if you live in Scotland. You will need plenty of 'evidence' to back up your case, mostly from experts, not just anecdotal. There are those that have been successful in overturning a revocation, however not many !

You must appeal within 6 months of the decision being made and you must also notify the DVLA that you intend to appeal.

 

[smidge]

Hey Paiste!

I've just had to do the same - system stinks doesn't it! Basically, after you fill out the form stating whether you are Type1 or Type2 (I'm neither, so couldn't actually fill out the form properly!) they consult your consultant and then send you their decision in about a month. As there is nothing wrong with you except you use insulin, they will decide to give you a three-year license. However, you have the right to appeal. If you decide to appeal you must let them know very quickly as they only give you a couple of weeks before they null and void your current non-restricted license - after that you would be driving illegally if you continued. If you decide not to appeal, you have to sign the form to accept their decision and send them your current license. Within a couple of weeks, they will send you back a new one with the restrictions on it and a duration of three years. If you accept their decision and take the restricted license, you can continue driving throughout the process. I firmly believe it's discriminatory, but appealing will cause you a lot of cost and hassle and you might be without your license until the appeal is heard. In the end, I'm afraid you have little choice but to suck it up :x

Smidge

 

[Sid Bonkers]

One other small point Paiste, whilst you will only be allowed a 3 year licence now you are on insulin you will NOT have to pay for it like everyone else and the new photo driving licences don't come cheap.

Just ensure you know what your levels are whilst you are behind the wheel and you will be able to keep your licence.

 

[Paiste]

Hi all and thankyou for the responses,
Sounds as if smidge is correct. I've returned the forms to the DVLA who have now requested my license be returned and that i move to a three year license.
I find it ridiculous that after 2 weeks of being diagnosed type 1, i'm suddenly a danger behind the wheel.
Ho Hum.. Diabetes, the curse that keeps on giving.

 

[cugila]

Just for clarification here, your profile says Type 2 on Oral Meds, however you now say you are Type 1. :?

Can you tell us which is correct please ? Are you a Type 2 who is on Insulin ? Have you been re-diagnosed as a Type 1 ?

I see your profile now reads Type 1 Insulin. Does that mean the previous information was a mistake ? It is important to Members to know if you are a Type 1 who has to take Insulin or a Type 2 who has gone on to Insulin instead of, or with Oral Meds ?

We would appreciate some clarification please.......it helps everybody to give you correct answers for your particular circumstances. Thanks in advance.......

 

[Paiste]

And my apologies..
I've ammended my profile which is now up to date. :roll:

 

[cugila]

I have sent you a pm.......

 

[HLW]

after 2 weeks of being diagnosed type 1, i'm suddenly a danger behind the wheel.

Yes, correct. Although it's being on insulin, not being type 1, that is the problem.
You are now on medication that could cause you to be confused or fall unconscious, if you are not responsible and do not keep an eye on your blood sugar before you drive. Other peoples' lives are put on danger if you have hypos at the wheel.
You can take action to prevent having a hypo, eg testing, which is why you are allowed to drive. In future, your diabetes might be completely uncontrolled etc, hence the 3 year renewal, to check if you are safe every 3 years.

 

[Paiste]

Diagnosed type 2 december 2009, spent a year diet controlled (4-8mmol) until christmas 2010 when it all went pear shaped (every blood reading 12+ up to 29.9) for no reason..
Referred to diabetic clinic at hospital and diagnosed type 1 February 2011.. Insulin 4 times daily.

 

[Paiste]

I still disagree.. Its early doors i know, but if i'm well controlled and understand my diabetes, its implications, my own bodies response to the disease and its treatment and medication.. why the rush from the DVLA into demanding my license be returned and limitations being applied?

 

[Paiste]

Apologies for sounding off.. still irritated that this has happened to wonderful, happy and healthy me!.. **shrugs** :?

 

[cugila]

Diagnosed type 2 december 2009, spent a year diet controlled (4-8mmol) until christmas 2010 when it all went pear shaped (every blood reading 12+ up to 29.9) for no reason..
Referred to diabetic clinic at hospital and diagnosed type 1 February 2011.. Insulin 4 times daily.

Thanks for clarifying that Paiste. The Members can now confidently respond to anything you post here knowing that you are in fact a Type 1.

Did anyone explain why you hadn't been diagnosed correctly in the first place.......we seem to be having more Members here who were mis-diagnosed, which is extremely worrying. I'm glad you are now getting the proper treatment at long last.

 

[Paiste]

No problem.
It was all very odd.. it started with thrush in november 2009, the ''what the hell is THAT!!?'' comment in the bathroom one day that continued through multiple nightmare visits to the local practicioner for him to study my dangly bits.. A blood test after pointless weeks of cream and tablets confirmed type2.. I was relieved, then angry, then depressed..
My Doctor said '' I can't believe it, your slim with no history.. you should not be diabetic"..
However, diet control followed.. i had 2 weeks over the christmas period with litlle information, that developed into a fear of food.. i lost 2 stone in 2 weeks eating nothing..
2010 was ok, i settled into my new life and things were good, bloods 4-8mmol constantly, but then for no reason it shot up christmas 2011.. i'd done nothing wrong, but when i hit 29.9mmol and visited my doc she panicked me.. Ketones, ambulances, coma and death?!.. lol..
I had an appointment at the local Diabetic clinic within 2 days, my doc was amazing! That's where they told me i'd being mis diagnosed, that i was type 1 and a very odd and unique case apparently.. Of over 100 types of diabetes i fitted into none of the categories, just luck i guess. ho hum.

 

[cugila]

That's awful.....mind you the rapid weight loss should have been ringing alarm bells with your GP. A classic sign of Type 1 !!! Let's hope everything gets on track now.........

ATB

 

[redrevis]

Yes this sounds like your doctor needs to do a diabetes refresher course or something.
to say

'' I can't believe it, your slim with no history.. you should not be diabetic"..

is a bit worrying. Diabetics can easily be slim with no history of it (I too fit into this category). That shouldn't have been a shock to him. :roll: