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Hi everyone,
I've been a type one diabetic for 22 years now, have good control and have been driving for 8 years now. I've had 2 hypos in the past 12 months, both of which whilst asleep and both of which caused by stress and exercise (more than what I was used to). I've subsequently stopped the excessive exercise, settled down and I've since had to reapply for my driving licence as it was a 3 year licence.
Unfortunately, I've received a letter today from the DVLA, this is how it reads:
"Dear Mr. Lloyd-Kelly,
Thank you for sending in the medical questionnaire form which you downloaded from the internet.
From the information given on the forms I have to advise you that you do not meet the standards required to hold a driving licence.
When you meet the standards to drive and are eligible to reapply for your licence we will need an application from D1 together with up to date medical questionnaire DIAB1. If you have any queries regarding your fitness to drive please consult your GP before making any further application to DVLA.
Yours sincerely,
Drivers Medical Group"
To say I'm outraged and completely at a loss is an understatement. As I say, the hypos mentioned on the forms were suffered whilst I was asleep; I have excellent hypo awareness of a daytime (I've never required medial assistance in the 22 years of having diabetes when I was fully conscious and a hypo was suffered). Furthermore, I've never had a hypo whilst driving and have in no way ever put anybody else in danger whilst driving my car due to my diabetes.
So, where do I stand now? I've had a read of the information found here: https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions/what-the-dvla-will-decide and I have a few issues with regards to the details of the letter and this information:
1) In step 3 of the process found on the link above it says: "If your licence is taken away you’ll be given a medical reason why, and be told when you can re-apply for your licence. You’ll also be sent a notice that explains your right to appeal against the decision." I haven't been given a medical reason in the letter and neither have I received a notice explaining my right to appeal so on what grounds is my licence being suspended and do I have a right to appeal?
2) The letter states "From the information given on the forms I have to advise you that you do not meet the standards required to hold a driving licence". The only information I can glean from this it that it appears that the DVLA haven't even consulted my GP to find out the background to these hypos. How on earth do these people get away with generalised such a subjective condition?!
3) I've heard from other sources on the internet that you have to wait 8 weeks before the anniversary of your first hypo mentioned on the forms before you can reapply, is this true?
I'm lost without my car, both me and my girlfriend (who doesn't drive) rely on it to get around to work, to do shopping, to go to university etc. and I find the decision to be wholly unjustified and extremely unfair.
If anybody can help please get in touch, I'll be ringing my doctor first thing in the morning to get this sorted out and my diabetes nurse specialist regardless.
Thank you
I've been a type one diabetic for 22 years now, have good control and have been driving for 8 years now. I've had 2 hypos in the past 12 months, both of which whilst asleep and both of which caused by stress and exercise (more than what I was used to). I've subsequently stopped the excessive exercise, settled down and I've since had to reapply for my driving licence as it was a 3 year licence.
Unfortunately, I've received a letter today from the DVLA, this is how it reads:
"Dear Mr. Lloyd-Kelly,
Thank you for sending in the medical questionnaire form which you downloaded from the internet.
From the information given on the forms I have to advise you that you do not meet the standards required to hold a driving licence.
When you meet the standards to drive and are eligible to reapply for your licence we will need an application from D1 together with up to date medical questionnaire DIAB1. If you have any queries regarding your fitness to drive please consult your GP before making any further application to DVLA.
Yours sincerely,
Drivers Medical Group"
To say I'm outraged and completely at a loss is an understatement. As I say, the hypos mentioned on the forms were suffered whilst I was asleep; I have excellent hypo awareness of a daytime (I've never required medial assistance in the 22 years of having diabetes when I was fully conscious and a hypo was suffered). Furthermore, I've never had a hypo whilst driving and have in no way ever put anybody else in danger whilst driving my car due to my diabetes.
So, where do I stand now? I've had a read of the information found here: https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions/what-the-dvla-will-decide and I have a few issues with regards to the details of the letter and this information:
1) In step 3 of the process found on the link above it says: "If your licence is taken away you’ll be given a medical reason why, and be told when you can re-apply for your licence. You’ll also be sent a notice that explains your right to appeal against the decision." I haven't been given a medical reason in the letter and neither have I received a notice explaining my right to appeal so on what grounds is my licence being suspended and do I have a right to appeal?
2) The letter states "From the information given on the forms I have to advise you that you do not meet the standards required to hold a driving licence". The only information I can glean from this it that it appears that the DVLA haven't even consulted my GP to find out the background to these hypos. How on earth do these people get away with generalised such a subjective condition?!
3) I've heard from other sources on the internet that you have to wait 8 weeks before the anniversary of your first hypo mentioned on the forms before you can reapply, is this true?
I'm lost without my car, both me and my girlfriend (who doesn't drive) rely on it to get around to work, to do shopping, to go to university etc. and I find the decision to be wholly unjustified and extremely unfair.
If anybody can help please get in touch, I'll be ringing my doctor first thing in the morning to get this sorted out and my diabetes nurse specialist regardless.
Thank you