Driving Licence after pancreas transplant

[reddevilsbrigade]

Hi there,
I'm a newbie on here and have just received a joint kidney and pancreas transplant 2 months ago and all is going well after 39 years of being a type 1 diabetic.
I have a quick question that I cannot find the answer to anywhere I currently have a driving licence with the normal 3 year restriction on. Because of my successful transplant will the restriction be removed by the DVLA?
Thanks for your help.
P.S. If anybody would like any help, whether your new or not to diabetes I will try to answer your questions. Just PM me and I'll get back to you

 

[kegstore]

Even though you've had this amazing surgery I think in some respects you're still considered "diabetic", as bizarre as that sounds. As pancreas transplants are still quite rare in the UK you might need individual advice on this directly from the DVLA medical team. Do you have a particular issue with a 3 year licence?

What prompted you to have "The Double"? Were you offered pancreas as an option after waiting for a kidney? Was it done in Oxford? OK I'm gonna PM you as I have tons of questions! I'm acutely aware that pancreas transplant is probably the only way I'll ever see my driving licence again.

 

[cugila]

Hi there,
I'm a newbie on here and have just received a joint kidney and pancreas transplant 2 months ago and all is going well after 39 years of being a type 1 diabetic.
I have a quick question that I cannot find the answer to anywhere I currently have a driving licence with the normal 3 year restriction on. Because of my successful transplant will the restriction be removed by the DVLA

Hi reddevil.

As Keg rightly says, you are still a Diabetic. I have trawled the DVLA Medical Section but nothing is clear. It may be that when your Licence is due for renewal you will need to fill in the Medical form before they will change any restriction on your licence ?

As Keg stated, contact the DVLA direct, either in writing to:
Drivers Customer Services (DCS) Correspondence Team DVLA Swansea SA6 7JL.
OR
Phone. Customer enquiries - 0870 240 0009

Hope that helps.

 

[reddevilsbrigade]

Hi Kegstore,
so sorry to hear that a pancreas transplant is the only way you'll see your driving licence again
When my renal consultant asked me if I would like to go on the renal transplant list I said yes immediately of course. Living in Hull he said that the transplant if/when it came up would be done in Leeds. He then said that I could go on the dual transplant list for kidney and pancreas but there was double the risk of complications and a 1in 5 chance of death compared to a 1in 10 with a renal transplant. He asked me to think it over but he would get me an appointment with the transplant team in Manchester to discuss it. A close member of my family went with me to the appointment and after discussions with both I couldn't refuse really, since I had not known anything different because I was diagnosed diabetic and put on insulin at 19 months old and I saw this as my biggest opportunity to lead a normal life as never known before.

Cugila, I actually rang the DVLA a few weeks back and they sent me out another medical questionnaire (Diab 1, I think it's called) and they said to tick the box that says I have had diabetes and fill in the eyesight and diabetes consultant part. The only problem I have had with having to have it renewed before is that DVLA take so long to get in contact with doctors/consultants and do the necessary checks that the licence always expires within this time and I am unable to use my own transport. It doesn't matter when you apply for a renewal it always takes sooooo long :|
Anyway, hopefully this may turn into a normal licence with no 3 year restriction....who knows :lol:
I'll let you know what happens.......thanks to both