I had my stroke last August and was hemiplegic, I can now walk but have no movement in my left arm, I’ve just received a DVLA letter, saying I must take a driving appraisal which I’m okay with, but it says I have two weeks to reply, and I will need a car I can drive, However, I sold my manual car as I will need an adapted automatic, obviously I am not going to buy another car until I know if I am allowed to drive,
Is my only way forward to lose my licence then start from scratch ?
anyone else been through this please ?
Is that just to reply to let them know you’re happy to take the assessment? I believe the assessment centre would provide a suitably adapted car for you to do the assessment. Most people wouldn’t have the right adaptations until they had undertaken the assessment.
If you type driving assessment into the search box there are many posts around this that might help.
@Bobbi i know you went for an assessment. Are you able to help a bit more at all?
I’ll start by telling you about me. I now drive my own car. I have been disabled by stroke. The vehicle I drive has modified controls as my right hand, arm, leg and foot do not work well enough to control a car.
After about eighteen months pretty much bed bound, very depressed and sad, I let my car go to a dealer for few hundred pounds. He had been pestering me to sell for a while having seen it parked unused and off road.outside our house. Finally I bit the bullet and let it go after all I wouldn’t be driving again. (How wrong could one be?)
You don’t need a vehicle for the assessment, One is provided free of charge with any modifications that may be needed. The assessment centre is part of the NHS and they are aware of any difficulties you might have. A number of tests are performed to make sure you will be able to drive safely, then you get in their car and drive around for an hour or so while two people in the car assess your ability. They are friendly, supportive and helpful. It wasn’t stressful, just great to be behind the wheel again.
I can tell you more about my experience but check out my blog where I’ve documented my experience with mobility.
I’ve written all sorts of stuff but look for the bits about car. There’s quite a bit in several articles some of which will answer your questions. Read through it and ask me if there is anything more you’d like to know. I’d be pleased to help in any way I can.
Each piece is around a five minute read so not too difficult to get through.
My disability is similar to yours and from what you say I think you need to get on with making an application for an assessment. My story has worked out well and I think yours should too.
There is much to say but for a start apply for the appraisal and do as the DVLA requests.
I’m happy to answer questions, tell you more if you want. I believe that peer support can be valuable to share.
Here’s a short clip of me and the Mrs on the motorway a few days ago.
I hope you too will be behind the wheel again soon.
keep on keepin on
I hope some of what I have written will be of use.
If you write about what happens to you then you will be increasing the usefulness of this online space.
There are far more come here to read than there are who write here.
Every word written is worth sharing. Each person who writes has a view of their own. The more there is to be seen here the better it is for the reader and so for all of us.
Who better to write about the stroke experience than those who have experienced it at first hand?
I feel we have far to go. There is a need to tackle each day as it comes and, if we can, to share what we find.
I looked into this a little further and discovered that driver assessment is performed by differing bodies depending upon where in the UK they are performed. There are differences so your experience might be different to mine.
However I suggest you get the ball rolling. It can be a slow process.
This link might have the information you are looking for (I guessed this by looking at your name this perhaps is for your area.)
I filled in a self referral form in my area and was assessed at St.Helens in Lancashire.
Best wishes with your progress and may the outcome be a happy one.
Please leave a message to say how you get on.
(Here’s a shout out to Sue. The name of the OT who encouraged me to return to driving again.)
search box there are many posts around this that might help.
