All the notes/booklets say it's the law to inform DVLA of our diagnosis.
Diagnosed a couple of months ago, I filled in the forms and sent them off, confident that they would say there was no problem - I was able to tick 'No' to all the questions.
I've just received a letter from DVLA saying they are going to contact my neuorologist to ask her opinion!Now I'm really scared!
I am in the very early stages,I'm on low dose meds, no side-effects, I'm still walking 3 dogs every morning,I'm still leading a normal life; I'm driving an hour each way to run my own dance school 4 days a week......so if the neoro says the wrong thing I'm finished. I won't be able to get to my school and everything shuts down with no warning.
The neuro wrote a very strange letter to my GP suggesting I might have Parkinsons Plus or even PSP - but I have none of the symptoms;she made comments about some of my symtoms which were wrong.My GP was very puzzled by the letter. So it's very likely that the neoro will just send a copy of this - or a similar comment to the DVLA....and that'll be the end.
Now I've got a few weeks wait to find out my fate and the fate of all my pupils.If I can't drive it's an end to the biggest part of my life.
Has anyone had a similar experience or got any words of hope for me cos I'm feeling pretty depressed right now.
Sue
The DVLA contacting your neuro is entirely normal. The neuro letter to your GP letter sounds a little strange but I wonder if it is an awkward set of words to describe an early diagnosis.
If neither your GP or neuro have told you not to drive then I can't see the DVLA denying you a licence. Your description of your fitness suggests that you are entirely fit to drive. It would be normal to receive a licence subject to medical review after 3 years.
I understand that the neuro letter is a source of concern so it is worth talking to your GP and/or neuro about it. Ask them specifically - 'am I fit to drive?'
EF
The DVLA contacting your neuro is entirely normal. The neuro letter to your GP letter sounds a little strange but I wonder if it is an awkward set of words to describe an early diagnosis.
If neither your GP or neuro have told you not to drive then I can't see the DVLA denying you a licence. Your description of your fitness suggests that you are entirely fit to drive. It would be normal to receive a licence subject to medical review after 3 years.
I understand that the neuro letter is a source of concern so it is worth talking to your GP and/or neuro about it. Ask them specifically - 'am I fit to drive?'
EF
Elegant fowl.......Thanks for that - I feel a bit calmer now!....I saw my GP only last week ref; this strange letter. I know she would say I'm fit to drive. I have seen the neuro only twice and have no idea when I will see her again. She didn't listen to me when I tried to explain things and she got things wrong . I wouldn't be in the least surprised if she declared me unfit to drive - if she thinks I've got PSP - with no symptoms! - then she's bound to.
I am to see the Parkinson's nurse in a couple of weeks for the first time - so maybe I can discuss it with her do you think? I don't know how much say in things they have.
I am to see the Parkinson's nurse in a couple of weeks for the first time - so maybe I can discuss it with her do you think? I don't know how much say in things they have.
Hello Sue123,
I totally agree with EE please try not to worry too much as this will only make your symptoms worse. When my husband had to go through some of these processes he always took or included a letter about how his condition affected him and what he was able to do ie work etc, this helped a great deal when various bodies made their decisions, it also made it less stressful for him and he was congratulated and thanked for taking the time to explain everything.
best of luck
vivian
I totally agree with EE please try not to worry too much as this will only make your symptoms worse. When my husband had to go through some of these processes he always took or included a letter about how his condition affected him and what he was able to do ie work etc, this helped a great deal when various bodies made their decisions, it also made it less stressful for him and he was congratulated and thanked for taking the time to explain everything.
best of luck
vivian
sorry that should have read EF
Hi Sue 123, I sent my forms in in July and at the end of August I enquired and they said it was ongoing, it seems my GP hasn't got anything from them and also my consultant who I haven't seen since February has sent a report in on the 17th September according to his secretary. I think they are either dragging their heels due to the backlog or they have a new policy on us with PD but you sound fine and should have no problem, so don't get depressed, they just take a long time sorting us all out. Be patient, I know it's hard but I expect to see a positive on here in the near future. All the best.
PS I had no trouble three years ago when I was 70.
PS I had no trouble three years ago when I was 70.
Hi Sue 123,
I've just got my three year renewal which was set in motion end of March!!. In my experience hey are very slow and the DVLA and the Neuros each seem to blame the others from what I've read from others. They rejected my first application and only after several phone calls was it conceded that there was nothing wrong with my application so I sent the identical one again. You can still drive until such time as they judge you should not which is highly unlikely. If by coincidence your licence expires in the meantime, you can get a letter saying you are entitled to drive until the application has been processed. For future reference they do not withdraw your licence lightly and those who have been asked to take a test have that those examiners are very understanding.
I'm afraid I find medics quite often write down what they expected you to say rather than what you did say. Having said that, your neuro does seem to be more than a little wide of the mark. If you talk to your PD nurse they may have a take on this particular neuro. I agree with elegant fowl that it may have been an awkward way of hedging her bets as dx is mainly by clinical observation and how you respond to meds. with a scan if necessary to rule out other possibilities. My neuro simply said probable idiopathic, i.e. god only knows why, Parkinsons and the next time dropped the "probable", although he didn't bother to tell me and I didn't notice for quite a while.
Best Wishes
I've just got my three year renewal which was set in motion end of March!!. In my experience hey are very slow and the DVLA and the Neuros each seem to blame the others from what I've read from others. They rejected my first application and only after several phone calls was it conceded that there was nothing wrong with my application so I sent the identical one again. You can still drive until such time as they judge you should not which is highly unlikely. If by coincidence your licence expires in the meantime, you can get a letter saying you are entitled to drive until the application has been processed. For future reference they do not withdraw your licence lightly and those who have been asked to take a test have that those examiners are very understanding.
I'm afraid I find medics quite often write down what they expected you to say rather than what you did say. Having said that, your neuro does seem to be more than a little wide of the mark. If you talk to your PD nurse they may have a take on this particular neuro. I agree with elegant fowl that it may have been an awkward way of hedging her bets as dx is mainly by clinical observation and how you respond to meds. with a scan if necessary to rule out other possibilities. My neuro simply said probable idiopathic, i.e. god only knows why, Parkinsons and the next time dropped the "probable", although he didn't bother to tell me and I didn't notice for quite a while.
Best Wishes
Thank you everyone for your messages trying to put my mind at rest! I feel a bit happier now, especially as I know this is going to take some while. (but I'm still concerned about what the neuro is going to say in her report!) My GP has said that I can change neuro (and hospital if I wish) if I'm not confident with this one so at least I will have her support!
Hi Sue
I like you am newly diagnosed. I just wonder, who actually told you to inform the DVLA? - I have heard about it but only by reading these posts, no one has 'oficially' told me I had to inform them so thought I would wait until they do? - probably the wrong thing to do, but like you, I am terrified it will not get renewed. I do keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for you.
Regards
I like you am newly diagnosed. I just wonder, who actually told you to inform the DVLA? - I have heard about it but only by reading these posts, no one has 'oficially' told me I had to inform them so thought I would wait until they do? - probably the wrong thing to do, but like you, I am terrified it will not get renewed. I do keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for you.
Regards
Hi Buddygirl........I wasn't told by anyone. I thought like you 'I'll just wait until someone tells me' but then I started to wonder what would happen if I was involved in an accident and it worried me that I would be in trouble for not informing them!
I read up about it and it says it's the law that we inform them......so I did a couple of weeks ago...and now part of me wishes I'd kept quiet for a bit longer!!
I read up about it and it says it's the law that we inform them......so I did a couple of weeks ago...and now part of me wishes I'd kept quiet for a bit longer!!
Hi Buddygirl,
It is true that you're required by law to inform the DVLA if you have Parkinson's or other neurological conditions. Still, as others have mentioned here, this doesn't necessarily mean that you will lose your license.
You can find out more in our Driving and Parkinson's booklet which you can download here: http://bit.ly/PiairU
You can also call our helpline if you have more questions about this.
I hope it helps,
Ezinda
It is true that you're required by law to inform the DVLA if you have Parkinson's or other neurological conditions. Still, as others have mentioned here, this doesn't necessarily mean that you will lose your license.
You can find out more in our Driving and Parkinson's booklet which you can download here: http://bit.ly/PiairU
You can also call our helpline if you have more questions about this.
I hope it helps,
Ezinda
Hi Sue
Think I will! - let me know how you get on and good luck!! Kind regards
Think I will! - let me know how you get on and good luck!! Kind regards
Sorry Ezinda, didn't mean to ignore you! - thank you for the info, I will look into it!
It's also worth letting your insurers know, that said none of them seem too bothered about PD, but just in case yours does, eliminates any room for the insurers to wriggle out of paying.
My first three year driving license is up for renewal in December, sent it all off a few weeks ago. DVLA sent the reminder and necessary forms to me automatically. Not expecting any problems, I'll post a message when it all gets back to me.
Regards Tractorman.
My first three year driving license is up for renewal in December, sent it all off a few weeks ago. DVLA sent the reminder and necessary forms to me automatically. Not expecting any problems, I'll post a message when it all gets back to me.
Regards Tractorman.
Hi there. I was told to inform the DVLA by my neuro. I put it on my to do list but then was nagged by my best mate who works in the NHS. She knows of people who have got into bad trouble with their insurance people because they were involved in accidents and hadn't told the DVLA. That spurred me into action.
Someone on the forum - E Fowl, I think it might have been - also mentioned that you should tell your car insurance people, which I did. It has not affected our payments.
Someone on the forum - E Fowl, I think it might have been - also mentioned that you should tell your car insurance people, which I did. It has not affected our payments.
Sorry Tractorman, didn't see your post re insurance!
I phoned my insurance people on the same day I sent off the DVLA forms.......they didn't want to know!
Sue123
do not worry it is SOP (standard operating procedure) to ask your speeccialist for an opinion, happened to me, then they wanted my licence off me to update the photograph, and they do not give you the option to argue with them.
all is well but it takes about three months to sort it.
do not worry it is SOP (standard operating procedure) to ask your speeccialist for an opinion, happened to me, then they wanted my licence off me to update the photograph, and they do not give you the option to argue with them.
all is well but it takes about three months to sort it.
Hello everyone,
I am very pleased to hear you are not having problems with car insurance companies these days as when my husband tried to get insurance with Direct Line they would not insure him at all due to PD hence we have never used them, they had a very bad attitude at the time.
Many people with different health problems have to inform the DVLA as if you don't your insurance could be invalid. Due to my back condition I informed them and keep the reply letter stating that I can continue driving with my driving licence which I carry with me at all times. Better safe than sorry I say
best wishes
vivian
I am very pleased to hear you are not having problems with car insurance companies these days as when my husband tried to get insurance with Direct Line they would not insure him at all due to PD hence we have never used them, they had a very bad attitude at the time.
Many people with different health problems have to inform the DVLA as if you don't your insurance could be invalid. Due to my back condition I informed them and keep the reply letter stating that I can continue driving with my driving licence which I carry with me at all times. Better safe than sorry I say
best wishes
vivian
noone officially told me either but your insurance could be invalid if you don't.
I've had 2x 3 yearly renewals and discuss it with my neuro at annual appointments. They dont seem to want to stop me driving until they have to as they realise me keeping active is giood for my health. You can pay for an independent test which is advisory only but can reassure the DVLC if you are really driving OK. Ask your doctor for a referral if you think it would help support your case.
I've had 2x 3 yearly renewals and discuss it with my neuro at annual appointments. They dont seem to want to stop me driving until they have to as they realise me keeping active is giood for my health. You can pay for an independent test which is advisory only but can reassure the DVLC if you are really driving OK. Ask your doctor for a referral if you think it would help support your case.