Driving informing DVLA

Afternoon everyone, just checking what everyone has done reference not driving.
I had my stroke easter monday, severe, bleed on brain, lost all use left side, spent 6 weeks in hospital then 5 weeks in rehab centre, now continuing my recovery at home I have regained use of left side still painful left hand and some numbness and swelling left leg, also since the stroke I feel some days like I’m drunk and whoosey, I had a follow up eye check at Moorfields couple of weeks ago and they confirmed I wouldn’t be fit to drive yet, which is fine as I know I’m nowhere near ready yet as still have visual field loss on left side, but I’m wondering how I proceed when I feel I’m fit enough, I’d imagine visit g.p. and another eye test, also I’ve not informed dvla or my insurers as not driving do didn’t seem any point. many thanks and wishing everyone well on the recovery road which is slow and long.

2 Likes

It is my understanding that if you still have stroke symptoms after a month you have to inform the DVLA.

I did this as I was advised I couldn’t drive for at least 3 months. They then wrote to me telling me what I needed to do etc. I had to pass a dvla field test & my gp also had to complete a medical questionnaire about me.

This link will give you more info.

Stroka Association also has a leaflet on it. Which you can find here.

https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/life-after/driving

1 Like

Hi many thanks for the response, however does seem pointless to inform dvla as I know I’m not ready to drive yet and have no intention until I feel I’ve recovered sufficiently and will then book an assessment test.

2 Likes

It may seem pointless but as I understand it you are still obliged to inform them & their website implies you could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell them.

2 Likes

Fair does, I’ve sent the notification to DVLA it’s interesting though they don’t actually ask when the stroke was, but at least it’s a way for them to make some money from it if I have to send in my licence and pay for another.

3 Likes

Hopefully you don’t have to pay for another. They never asked me to send my licence in so once I had a letter from them saying I was ok to drive there was nothing else I needed to do. This can be different for everyone though.

2 Likes

Hi jelevents
I didn’t let the

Hi.
I didn’t let the DVLA know for four months as like you I wasn’t driving. Then my occupational therapist said there is sometimes a long wait and may have to be assessed before being allowed to drive. We have to let them know no matter so might as well do it sooner rather than late. 6 months in and still not able to drive but hopefully get there .
Good luck with your journey
Russ

Many thanks Russ will see how it goes just got to inform my insurance company,
Good luck to you too

1 Like

Update, as I had not heard anything back from DVLA I decided to give them a call and finally after 1.5 hours on hold got to speak to a lady who confirmed they had my notification but had not been assessed yet however I could voluntary surrender my license if I wished, so pretty much a waste of time but at least it’s in their hands.

Update on DVLA, received a letter saying I had to have a DVLA eye test at Specsavers so I went Sunday and now awaiting results which could be 2 months, we’ll see

Fingers crossed all ok. I think I waited a couple of months to hear after mine but that was a couple of years ago now.

2 Likes

so I got my results back from DVLA about the eye test and I failed so my license has been revoked now, when I think I’m ready I can have another eye test send DVLA the results and they will arrange for me to have another DVLA group 1 test and if all ok I’ll be allowed to drive again.

2 Likes

Thank you for sharing this with us.
I expect you might be disappointed hat your license has been revoked, but it seems you are taking it well. I think it is ultimately for your safety as well as other road users.
I wish you all the best.
:pray:

1 Like

Oh sorry to hear that. Disappointing news for you.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before you can try again.

Best wishes

Ann

2 Likes